Sorelle Week 2 Term Three - Mercedes College

Mercedes College Newsletter
Vol. 39 Number 11 / Week 2 Term Three / 2 August 2012
Gospel Reflection
Sunday, 12 August 2012:
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary
Time - Year B
Jn 8:41 - 51
This week’s gospel reading
continues the exploration of John Ch.
6 that began two weeks ago and will
continue for another few weeks.
Today’s passage begins the
extended discourse on the ‘Bread of
Life’ image that runs throughout this
chapter.
One of the great concerns of the
Gospel of John is to convey an
understanding of who Jesus is. This
powerful message is explored
through a number of significant
discourses – with Nicodemus, with
the Samaritan woman, with the Jews
etc. The gospel contains some of the
‘great’ images that we have for
Jesus: living water; living bread; light
for the world; the good shepherd; the
way, the truth and the life. Such rich
images
There is an obvious connection
between this week’s reading and the
sacramental celebration of Eucharist.
Jesus describes himself as living
bread and then says whoever eats
this living bread will live forever.
These words capture the essence of
the Church teaching about the real
presence of Jesus in the Eucharist,
when the bread and wine become his
body and blood. Through our
celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus
offers us his continuing, enduring
presence.
This is a significant message for us
as a Mercy Community as we
prepare for The Feast of the
Assumption on Wednesday 15
August. This Eucharistic celebration
will invite us to gather as a whole
school community, be mindful of the
significance of Mary the mother of
Jesus in our lives and be gifted with
the real presence of Jesus that
promises to transform us like a tiny
handful of dough and leaven into a
rich and wholesome loaf of bread, a
staple of life.
Questions to ponder
Q. In what ways is ‘bread’ both a
suitable and challenging image for
Jesus
Q. Why is the regular reception of
communion such an important
element of the Catholic faith
Officer, who again has given hours and hours of both work and personal time to
ensuring that all of the above community events were well planned and
organized. Thank you Jackie.
This week the students and staff were also informed that Mrs Loretta Wholley,
our Deputy Principal Academic Services, has accepted a principalship at Merici
College in Canberra as of the beginning of 2013. Loretta has been with us for
two and a half years and has certainly brought an enthusiasm and great
passion for learning, teaching and pastoral care to her role. We will certainly
miss Loretta but her new role is greatly deserved and Merici College will no
doubt go from strength to strength under her leadership.
This semester we continue our focus on our Mercy Values by reflecting on our
value of Justice. Our work for justice is inspired of course by Catherine McAuley
who recognized and fostered the dignity of every human person. Catherine
dedicated her life to the service of others working with women and children in
dire need. Her spirit of compassionate service continues to inspire all Mercy
people. To be compassionate towards others, to treat all human beings with
respect, to value the difference in people and to empower ourselves and others
– that is what it means to be merciful. We must work for the common good, be
responsible stewards of our environment and advocates for social justice. We
must encourage each other to be active in spreading good and peace in the
world and to try as hard as we possibly can to help those who are less
fortunate, most vulnerable and most distressed. As with Catherine, these
actions begin with each one of us and it is crucial that we see the world with
eyes wide open and use whatever means we can, especially in our local
community, to become involved in solving the problems that created the
injustice in the first place. That is what will set us apart as people of Mercy.
Parents could I please urge you to check your daughter’s uniform and personal
grooming to ensure that it is in keeping with the College requirements Some of
our young women have grown very quickly and uniforms need to be let down.
Please familiarize yourself with the uniform code so that, in the unlikely event of
your daughter getting a uniform or grooming infringement, you know why.
The Teen Commandment for the next fortnight – you shall not offer helpful
suggestions on homework management. Don’t you know they’ve got it under
control Instead, drop small, time-oriented bombshells periodically, like “When
you have that maths done, we’ll have ice cream” or “I put off dinner with
grandma this weekend knowing you have a huge history project”.
Finally, remember, all children are gifted. Some just open their presents later
than others.
Peace and best wishes.
Sheena Barber, Principal
Gracious God,
You have blessed this ancient land
with many gifts, especially its people.
We thank you for the Year of Grace,
a time to start afresh from Christ.
You invite us to contemplate the face of Jesus your Son,
that we may experience a new wave of grace,
and that the light of Christ may burn more brightly in our lives.
Attune our hearts and minds
to the presence of your Holy Spirit,
that our Church may be transformed,
our relationships be healed,
and our nation grow in compassion and justice.
With the intercession of St Mary MacKillop,
who showed us new ways of living the Gospel,
we make our prayer
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.
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