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SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
Faith and religious education
Monday 10 December 2012
By Patrick Jurd
Ave Maria College
DURING the final week for students in Years 7-9, Ave Maria College invited guest speakers from each of their 2013 year level charities. It was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and interest. The girls were engaged by each of the presenters and keen to explore ways to let the rest of the College know about their cause. Sr Brigid from the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project spoke to Year 7. Her information and the testimony of two young asylum seekers, Sajad and Melshu, were very moving. The Year 8 students worked with members of Western Young Vinnies and they were keen to learn and get involved. Paul Stewart, and his friend Vlad informed and entertained the Year 9 girls as they continue to work with our northern neighbour, East Timor.
I conclude by sharing a Christmas reflection with you:
‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ (Matthew 1: 23)
Christmas is many things. It can be a time to give thanks for all of the blessings of the past year. It can be a time to mourn the absence of loved ones. It also can, and should, be a time of hope and joy. God made good on his promise (Is 7:14) and became one of us. Our God understands what it means to be human - in all our joys and all our struggles. But this wasn't a 'one time deal'. The birth of Jesus constantly reminds us of all we can be. We were shown a way of living and loving that is constantly life-giving. God came among us in an unexpected way - not in power and majesty. Yet this is the same God of surprises of the Old Testament who was the still, small voice of 1 Kings 19. The grace of Christmas is that God is still with us - even if it is in a way that eludes our comprehension. May each of us have the eyes of faith to see - today and always.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Patrick Jurd, is Director of Faith and Religious Education, Ave Maria College.
Photo courtesy of Ave Maria College, Aberfeldie
By Patrick Jurd
Ave Maria College
DURING the final week for students in Years 7-9, Ave Maria College invited guest speakers from each of their 2013 year level charities. It was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and interest. The girls were engaged by each of the presenters and keen to explore ways to let the rest of the College know about their cause. Sr Brigid from the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project spoke to Year 7. Her information and the testimony of two young asylum seekers, Sajad and Melshu, were very moving. The Year 8 students worked with members of Western Young Vinnies and they were keen to learn and get involved. Paul Stewart, and his friend Vlad informed and entertained the Year 9 girls as they continue to work with our northern neighbour, East Timor.I conclude by sharing a Christmas reflection with you:
‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ (Matthew 1: 23)
Christmas is many things. It can be a time to give thanks for all of the blessings of the past year. It can be a time to mourn the absence of loved ones. It also can, and should, be a time of hope and joy. God made good on his promise (Is 7:14) and became one of us. Our God understands what it means to be human - in all our joys and all our struggles. But this wasn't a 'one time deal'. The birth of Jesus constantly reminds us of all we can be. We were shown a way of living and loving that is constantly life-giving. God came among us in an unexpected way - not in power and majesty. Yet this is the same God of surprises of the Old Testament who was the still, small voice of 1 Kings 19. The grace of Christmas is that God is still with us - even if it is in a way that eludes our comprehension. May each of us have the eyes of faith to see - today and always.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Patrick Jurd, is Director of Faith and Religious Education, Ave Maria College.
Photo courtesy of Ave Maria College, Aberfeldie
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
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