Lord, bestow on us Your heavenly grace to be able to resist the temptation
to slide into the abyss when worry, fear and doubt overcome us.
Let us return to you Lord our Almighty Saviour.
You bring life and love to our soul.

Let us be still in Your presence, pray for Your mercy, clarity, and peace.

You Lord are forever faithful.
You Lord will not abandon us.
You Lord by Your Cross has set us free from eternal suffering

Amen.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

On Wednesday 14 September, we celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (The Triumph of the Cross). It might seem morbid or even scandalous to many that we exalt a Cross – a symbol of great torture in Roman times. So, why do we celebrate this feast? It is for a similar reason that we remember the many women and men who sacrificed their lives in war on days like ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day. These women and men suffered in fighting for a greater good. Their suffering was an act of love for their country and the values they believed in. Jesus himself said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Similarly, Pope Francis is his Apostolic letter – Patris Corde stated:

“We can relate to the Doctors, nurses, storekeepers and supermarket workers, cleaning personnel, caregivers, transport workers, men and women working to provide essential services and public safety, volunteers, priests, men and women religious, and so very many others. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday ways, how to accept and deal with a crisis by adjusting their routines, looking ahead and encouraging the practice of prayer. How many are praying, making sacrifices and interceding for the good of all”

In our Catholic faith the crucifix is such a powerful reminder of the Christ’s immense love he has for all of us and the hope of sharing in His resurrection. It is only through Jesus’ death that He was able to rise. This is why we hang crucifixes in our homes, our schools and especially and most importantly inside our churches. To constantly remind us of Christ’s love and sacrifice. In fact, in every Holy Mass we participate in Christ’s death and resurrection.

We know that our lives are full of suffering, full of crosses big and small. Sacrifices we make daily. Sometimes we have no explanation as to why we suffer, but when we gaze on the Cross, we can offer all our sufferings to Him, knowing that through Christ’s death came His resurrection, and in our suffering there is always hope. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." 

Let us thank God for all the wonderful sacrifices many have made during this pandemic at the service of others.

Reflection – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (1 min 17 sec)

Naming of new 2022 Year 7 Homeroom stream

Dear Parents/Carers,

The College is introducing an extra Year 7 stream in 2022.  As a valued member of our College community, you are invited to fill in the following survey form (link below) to nominate prospective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person/place for the naming of this new stream.

Please refer to the required criteria (in question 4 of the survey) and ensure that the proposed persons/places are appropriate. Nominations and a short summary as to how your nomination meets the set criteria, are to be completed by no later than Friday 17 September.

Please feel free to contact Mr Paul Sammut (Head of Faith and Mission) at psammut@crccs.vic.edu.au , if you have any questions or require further clarification.

Survey - Naming of new Year 7 Homeroom Stream

Gospel Reflection

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

Mark 9:30-37