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<\/a>This week the Church celebrates Easter and the\u00a0<\/span>8-week Easter period.\u00a0 In this newsletter we explore the development of this central festival in the Catholic Church.<\/span><\/p>\nEaster<\/h5>\n
By the second century the weekly assembly came to be complemented by an annual celebration of the paschal mystery.\u00a0 At first this Christian Pasch was celebrated in accordance with the Jewish calendar for Passover, on the 14<\/span>th<\/span> day of the month of Nisan, which could be any day of the week. After much controversy it was decreed by the Council of Nicaea in 325 that the commemoration of Jesus\u2019 suffering, death and resurrection should be held on Sunday rather than a weekday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The annual feast of Easter quickly carried over into a week of celebration which further developed into a season of fifty days.\u00a0 Throughout this time the church rejoiced in the one great mystery of Jesus\u2019 victory over sin and death.\u00a0 It revelled in the new life of the Spirit.\u00a0 But the integrity of this unified season was lost when the Ascension of the Lord began to be celebrated on the fortieth day, leaving ten days to be spent waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n The evolution of these rites was aided and abetted by widespread imitation of the liturgies of 4<\/span>th<\/span> century Jerusalem.\u00a0 The Holy City had become a popular pilgrimage site.\u00a0 Devout Christians who visited during Holy Week experienced a series of liturgical events at sites associated with Jesus\u2019 passion, death and resurrection.\u00a0 On return home they introduced some of these rituals to their local churches.\u00a0 A number of them, such as the veneration of the cross, survive to this day.<\/span><\/p>\n All this enables the whole Christian community to be immersed in the whole saving mystery of Jesus Christ: his ministry, suffering, death and resurrection, glorification and sending of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 In this mystery the church becomes \u201ca chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God\u2019s own people,\u201d called out of darkness into God\u2019s marvellous light in order to proclaim God\u2019s mighty works (1 Pt 2:9).\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Taken from: https:\/\/www.catholicaustralia.com.au\/the-sacraments\/lent.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Last week, the Year 12 students were extremely fortunate to be able to attend their Year 12 Retreat at The Hermitage at Mittagong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The students unpacked the theme of integrity with a focus on vulnerability, trust and courage. They were challenged to explore these themes through a variety of activities that pushed them out of their comfort zone. The Year 12 students were also challenged to recognise the worries and struggles they have been facing this year with a focus on overcoming these challenges through guidance, support, and the presence of God in their life. We had a wonderful time and the weather and scenery were beautiful. The Year 12 students were also able to relax, taking time out of their busy lives and reconnect with themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n I would like to thank Mrs Rebecca Bombaci, Ms Angela Bowland, Ms Brooke Cleggett, Mrs Carolyn Criss, Mr Andy D\u2019Archy, Mrs Michelle Johns, Mrs Maria Del Moro, Mr David Greenwell, Ms Leoni Hopkins, Mrs Joc Kemp, Ms Emma Pracey, Ms Grace Spurr and Ms Jenny Vu for their time and experience in helping and leading the students through the Retreat. A huge thank you to Ms Samantha Ison for running the second retreat and I would also like to thank Father Brian and Father Aliki from the Holy Name of Mary Parish who celebrated mass at The Hermitage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Monday the Marist Sisters\u2019 College staff gathered together at The Hermitage Mittagong for our Staff Spirituality Day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Staff had an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and engagement with the Catholic faith and tradition with a focus on the theme \u2018Created and Called: A revolution of Love and Tenderness.\u2019 Throughout the sessions we were able to build on our faith by looking at Mary and the qualities we see in her: humility, tenderness and concern for others. To end our Spirituality Day, we had the opportunity to have small group discussions looking at issues around: Beauty, Joy and Wellbeing,\u00a0 Peace and Simplicity, Ecology, Leadership and Solidarity. Thank you to Ms Samantha Ison, Mr Andrew d\u2019Archy, Mrs Rebecca Bombaci, Mr Daniel <\/span>El-Hage and Mr Travis Desborough for leading the small group sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n A huge thank you to Mr John Hickey from The <\/span>Mission and Life Formation Team at The Marist <\/span>Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat for running the Staff Spirituality Day.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Development of the Triduum<\/h5>\n
<\/a>The Easter celebration itself took the form of a night-time vigil, preceded by days of strict fasting.\u00a0 Once it was transferred to Sunday, the service began to focus more exclusively on the resurrection of the Lord.\u00a0 Accordingly, the preceding days of fast developed an identity of their own.\u00a0 Good Friday came to centre on Jesus\u2019 death, Holy Saturday on his burial.\u00a0 The once unified remembrance of the paschal mystery broke up into a series of separate observances.\u00a0 Later developments led to the Vigil being celebrated on Holy Saturday morning, with the addition of Holy Thursday creating a new Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nIn our Community\u2026\u2026<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n
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Year 12 Retreat<\/h5>\n
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\nStaff Spirituality Day<\/h5>\n