Newsletter 13: 31 August 2021
Dear Colleagues,
The ongoing pressures of the pandemic are consistently being felt across the country in various ways. As case numbers rise, and the number of people tragically dying with Covid increases, creeping anxiety in the community is palpable. In our work with young people, many of whom are presently learning from home, we Marists are called to be beacons of hope. The daily joy and brightness each staff member brings to students is a blessing, whether at school or online. Each passionate act of advocacy by our Principals with Government and our peak bodies for Catholic education, seeks to influence on behalf of students, arrangements for learning and assessment sensitive to their needs in the midst of this crisis. Each prayer that is led for those who are suffering, have died or are front line medical staff, firmly places trust in God.
This coming week on 8 September, the Church celebrates the nativity of Mary. Pope Francis often leads us to Mary for example and guidance, and especially in the most challenging times. In 2014 in an address given in Cuba, the Holy Father shared the following thoughts about Mary, which are shared for reflection.
"Every time I read sacred Scripture, in the verses that talk about Our Lady, three verbs catch my attention. Three kinds of action -- be joyful, help without hesitation and persevere.
Whoever discovers Jesus will be filled with an inner joy so great that nothing and no one can take it away. With Christ in our lives, we find the strength and hope not to be sad and discouraged, thinking problems have no solution.
We should always rise in haste, just like Mary, to help others in need. Victory is to those who repeatedly rise up, without getting discouraged. If we imitate Mary, we cannot sit with our arms crossed, just complaining or perhaps avoiding any effort so that others do what is our responsibility. Making a difference and helping others does not have to be done on a grand scale but entails doing everyday things with tenderness and mercy.
The third verb is to persevere. Mary relied on God and his goodness for the strength and courage needed to stay by Christ's side no matter what and to encourage his disciples to do the same. In this world in which long-lasting values are rejected and everything is changing, in which the disposable triumphs, in which people are afraid of life's commitments, Mary encourages us to be men and women who are constant in their good works, who keep their word, and who are always faithful."