Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care
It is wonderful to begin a school year with a fresh outlook and the hope of a year that will bring happiness and joy to all at Santa Sabina. In 2023 our focus will be on the Dominican pillar of Community. We will not ignore the other three pillars, we will not forget that the pillars are intertwined and connected – one pillar doesn’t really have much of a purpose – we need them all to hold up our pursuit of Veritas, of truth. But it is community that will drive the way we approach all four of our pillars this year. We will take special moments throughout the year to define and expand our understanding of community and to find ways to strengthen this pillar across all facets of College life.
This pillar is often referred to by Dominicans as common life – it is about what we have in common, including our common value of inclusion and embracing difference and diversity.
‘And all who believed were together and had all things in common.’
This passage from the Acts of the Apostles (2:44), which describes the life of the early Christians, also serves as the model and foundation of our life in common as Dominicans.
Dominican spirituality views the community as a unique place of God’s presence in the world. It is through the community that we are inspired, encouraged, admonished and forgiven as we travel on our spiritual journey. God shares his divine gifts with us through the community. This is the reason why the Church is not merely a social group. It is the place where we meet Christ, and it is the place from which we are called to share the Gospel. In our culture which often places great value in being independent and self-reliant, this spirituality of community calls us to recognise our utter dependence on God and the gifts that we have been given by those around us.
This image of Dominic is by Henri Matisse and is part of his design for a Dominican Chapel in Vence in Southern France. Matisse was not Catholic but answered the request of a Dominican Sister, who had nursed him to health when he was unwell, to design a much needed chapel for her community. I love this image of Dominic because it is so simple, because it depicts Dominic as the sturdy man of study, contemplation and faith – but this sturdy strength is achieved by a simple outline sketch. Our Dominican charism has Dominic at its core but it doesn’t end there. As a Dominican community we shape who we are and what we look like within this strong but gentle scaffold of a man who founded an order that was simple but revolutionary for its time. There is so much potential for us within this framework and 2023 will be an opportunity to occupy the presence of St Dominic as a full and flourishing community. I look forward to the times we can all join together as a community in 2023 to bear witness to the fruit of our connections and relationships.
Fundraising for the humanitarian disaster in Turkiye and Syria
During Love Week on the Yr 5-12 Campus this week we will be raising money for those impacted in Turkiye and Syria by the recent earthquake. We will be holding a mufti day on Thursday 16 February to help assist those affected by this humanitarian disaster. We have also taken time to pray in Homerooms this week for the people of Turkiye and Syria and those from the Global community assisting with the disaster relief efforts.
God of mercy,
We pray for the people of Türkiye and Syria
following the recent earthquakes.
We mourn the death and destruction.
and pray for those who have died and those who grieve.
Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.
We hold in our hearts those who are injured,
and those who have lost loved ones, livelihoods, and homes.
Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.
Sustain and guide all responding to this disaster.
Grant those affected courage and resilience,
as they rebuild their lives and communities.
Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.
Inspire us to unite in solidarity,
acting swiftly and generously,
so that help may reach all who need it.
Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.
Amen.
https://cafod.org.uk/pray/prayer-resources/turkey-and-syria-earthquake-prayer
Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care