The Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, You promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of the Apostles and Disciples, grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Your grace and love.
Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal,
the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth,
the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven,
the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You, and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation,
the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints,
the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable,
the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God, and may dread in any way to displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit.
Amen.
Solemnity of Pentecost
The celebration of Pentecost holds great significance for our faith. It is a solemnity that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and marks the birth of the Christian Church. Pentecost, which means "fiftieth" in Greek, occurs fifty days after Easter Sunday. At its core, Pentecost symbolizes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus, as promised by Him before His ascension. This divine intervention enabled the apostles to boldly proclaim the teachings of Christ and spread the Gospel message throughout the world.
For our families, Pentecost serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and unity within the domestic Church. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the early Christian community, it continues to infuse families with love, guidance, and strength. Pentecost invites families to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit and apply them in their daily lives - wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and the gift of fear of the Lord.
The celebration of Pentecost serves as a reminder to families of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and the multitude of blessings and gifts that flow from this divine relationship. It invites families to deepen their faith, strengthen their bond with one another, and live out their Christian vocation with love and joy. Let us pray that families will embrace the spirit of Pentecost, so we may experience a renewed sense of purpose, unity, and spiritual vitality, becoming witnesses to God's love in the world.
Mother’s Day Mass & Breakfast
Mother's Day is a special occasion that honours and appreciates the remarkable women who have made a profound impact on our lives. On Friday 12 May the College hosted a Mother's Day Mass & Breakfast, organised for students and their mothers, grandmothers, and other significant women. The event aimed to create cherished memories and celebrate the incredible women who have played crucial roles in shaping our lives. The mass was led by Fr. Richard, who related the reading from the Gospel of John of Jesus’ command to ‘love one another’ to the sacrificial love our mother’s bestow on their children. Toward the end of Mass Fr Richard gave the women present a special blessing. After the Mass, the attendees were treated to a delightful breakfast, creating an opportunity for families to bond and celebrate the joyous occasion together. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, heartfelt conversations, and expressions of gratitude. The breakfast spread was beautifully prepared, with a selection of fruit, sweets, pastries, and savories. It was a wonderful morning to celebrate the immeasurable love our mother figures bring to our lives each day.
May – Month of Mary
May is traditionally referred to as the "Month of Mary" in the Church’s Liturgical Calendar. It is an opportunity to express our devotion, and draw inspiration from Mary's virtuous life. Throughout the month, the LIHM (Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) sisters, brought together students to participate in games, listen to a talk on our Blessed Mother, and recite a decade of the rosary during lunchtimes.
This opportunity allowed our students to learn about Mary's virtues, contemplate her life, and experience the joy and peace that arise from embracing her as our spiritual mother. May we continue to draw inspiration from the extraordinary life and profound impact of our Blessed Virgin Mary.
2023 World Youth Day
Every few years, World Youth Day (WYD) brings together millions of young people from around the world to celebrate their faith, share experiences, and embrace the vibrant spirit of One Holy Catholic Apostolic Faith. In 2023, the iconic city of Lisbon, Portugal, will play host to this awe-inspiring event, inviting students to embark on a journey of faith and cultural immersion. The College is delighted to announce that we will be sending three of our Year 10 students – Maya S, Liam W and Olivia M to World Youth Day. The students will have the opportunity to visit the Holy site of Fatima where Our Lady appeared to three children Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. The participants are currently participating in formation workshops as they prepare for their pilgrimage in late July. Let us keep our students in our prayers so they will be renewed with a sense of the love of God through this great experience.
8am Mass
A reminder that students and their families are welcome to Friday 8am Mass every week of term (unless otherwise advised). The Mass finishes at 8:30am which gives adequate time for our students to prepare for their day, The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our lives and fosters spiritual nourishment and unity with Jesus. I invite and encourage all students and their families to attend.
Sunday Gospel Reflection
Pentecost Sunday Year A
Gospel
Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into the Apostles.
