What Staff Have Learnt About this Week.

This week the staff met for their final faith formation.  At the very beginning of the year I was concerned about how people were feeling after fires and hailstorms had caused so much damage.

Little did we know in early February what was to come in 2020.

Drawing inspiration from scripture we focused on Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” In the first meeting we drew out what the “know” meant. God has a plan, we should stop trying to BE God and let God BE in our lives. We are NOT God, He is!

This week we focused on BE STILL.  There was no way of knowing in February what 2020 would bring forth but we do know that the offerings of stillness and prayer has been needed so much this year.

In our meeting the staff rekindled their understanding of the depth that can be reached during Christian Meditation.  It was a powerful experience to be in a room full of people praying together in silence.  Many approached me afterwards to let me know how much they needed that prayer time.

In 2021 St John’s will be reconnecting the students with Christian Mediation as well.  I am so excited to bringing this experience back.

What the students are learning about.

Year 4 have been doing amazing work with Sustainability.  They diligently go out after lunch to pick up any stray rubbish. They have installed new, clearly labelled bins to encourage good recycling habits.  In their assembly presentation they talked about how they must be stewards of God’s creation. They are showing us how to ‘be on the earth the heart of God’ by living their faith every day and taking care of our environment.

Catholic Life and Reflection

The understatement of the year is “I am so busy!” just like everyone else at this time of year.  Father Gerard always said that this time of year, particularly Advent, is slow time. After he would say this, he would look at me and smile, as if to say “I know!”

School is always busy but there is a certain buzz that occurs as reports are finalized, concerts are filmed, and ceremonies are planned.  I have to remind myself (a lot) to take care of myself during these extra busy times.  I am not actually able to run on “the smell of an oily rag” as my dad would say. 

So, I am reminding all of you to do the same. Enjoy some sunshine, have the extra cup of tea, chat to your friends, reconnect with prayer.  Do a little of what makes your soul happy. 

1 Corinthians 3:17

¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

God bless,