JOY NOTES
A number of resources and links can be gleaned from these archived e-Bulletins which were distributed 2015-2016
Closing the Year of Mercy - Leaflet for Staff Prayer
The Year of Mercy officially closes on 20 November, 2016. This also brings to a close the CSO’s three year focus: God’s Mission: Joy of the Gospel. Thank you for your wonderful participation as we have explored together Pope Francis’ call to be a more joyful, outreaching, merciful church. We close this series of Joy Notes with a Prayer Leaflet which may be a helpful resource for staff prayer and newsletters in closing the Year of Mercy. The Prayer Leaflet works well with a song such as Let Your Mercy Wash Over Us (Trevor Thomson). The resources that have accumulated at the God’s Mission: Joy of the Gospel website will continue to be accessible in 2017. |
july 2016
New discussion guide available on ‘The Joy of Love’
The Office for Evangelisation Broken Bay Diocese has produced a discussion guide for exploring Amoris Laetitia (‘The Joy of Love’), Pope Francis’ exhortation on love in the family. It includes brief summaries of chapters, over 60 questions and points to guide discussion, practical notes of action, and online links for further learning. Also: Page 42: ways of promoting marriage and family in the School Pages 43-46: brief quotes for newsletters Download the PDF version here. Read the full document here at the Vatican website. |
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Staff Prayer
Using ‘River of Mercy, Streams of Joy’ One way to use the booklet (which offers many more!) Invite the staff to:
Draw to a close by praying together: Glory be… Finish with the song Let Your Mercy Wash Over Us (Trevor Thomson). |
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Helpful video-inputs
“Quick! I need some brief, concise input on Pope Francis’ vision for the Church.” Try these! Joy of the Gospel Fr Robert Barron (now Bishop Barron) offers a concise view of the basic thrust of the Joy of the Gospel in this 9 min video. Laudato Si’ (Care for our Common Home) America Media offers a quick moving 4 ½ min video with “Ten key points” of the document, with presenter Fr James Martin SJ. See too this 6 ½ min video-reflection, with images of nature and quotes from the document. The Joy of Love America Media offers, in 4 minutes, five key points from The Joy of Love. Of course, no commentary ever replaces reading the document directly. Find all of them at the Vatican website. |
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The Joy of Love
Pope Francis’ latest document: ‘Love in the Family’ Below is a memorable quote from The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia) to share with staff and parents. See full document here. Love needs time and space “Love needs time and space; everything else is secondary. Time is needed to talk things over, to embrace leisurely, to share plans, to listen to one other and gaze in each other’s eyes, to appreciate one another and to build a stronger relationship.” (AL, 224) Related to this point is: “Connected, but alone?” This TED Talk is a prophetic plea for the recovery of solitude and personal presence amidst a technology-saturated world. 18min. |
Praying with Art
The Mercy of God & Visio Divina While Lectio Divina is a method of praying with scripture, Visio Divina (Latin for "divine seeing") is a method for praying with images or other media. This method has been offered in workshops at recent spirituality days for staff and parents. Find Notes/Handout here, and the link to a helpful article by Tim Mooney here. Use it with students… it’s amazing what they will see! |
Workshop
Your Journey, Your Song “Music . . gives wings to the mind, a soul to the universe, flight to the Imagination….” (Plato) Music is a powerful way to share the joy of the Gospel. Here is an workshop to explore the power of music and song as a means of prayer and of reflecting on our relationship with God, others and all of creation. 'Your Journey, Your Song' facilitated by Beth Riolo & Marianne Patton. Date: 27 August, 10am-3.30pm Venue: Mt St Benedict’s Centre, Pennant Hills Cost: $25. See flyer for further details. Enquiries: [email protected] |
Parent Spirituality Days
Mercy and mothering amidst the mayhem. Mums come together to stop, revive and survive! This 4min video offers a glimpse into two Spirituality Days for Mums held on the Central Coast last Term, with about 40 participants each at beautiful locations. These two groups began from small seeds of 2-3 parents in a school gathering for short bursts of reflection and connection. Last term, mothers also gathered in small groups at Manly, Asquith, Pennant Hills, Balgowlah, Woy Woy and Warnervale… |
Top 25 Films on Mercy
Watch, Enjoy, Discuss... This listing offers 25 films that show us visions of a world so often lacking in mercy, as well as worlds in which one merciful act alters the landscape of human experience forever. Produced by the Arts & Faith online community, this list spans 93 years of cinema, from 1921’s The Kid and The Phantom Carriage to 2014’s Love & Mercy. More… |
Opinion piece
In business, mercy promotes learning, creativity and innovation This Opinion piece by Jim Bright, professor of career education and development at ACU, appeared in the business section of the Sydney Morning Herald (11.6.16). The author describes ten ways that mercy can transform the culture of business and society for the better. Access the article online here. (Thanks to the REC who brought it to our attention.) |
BBI eConference
Mercy: A Way of Being in the World The 12th National eConference, Mercy: A Way of Being in the World, will commemorate the Jubilee Year of Mercy and take up Pope Francis’ invitation to explore this central element of our faith. Date: 20 Sept, 10.30 – 2.45pm Speakers: Mr Phil Glendenning, Sr Veronica Lawson rsm, Archbishop Mark Coleridge. More details here. |
Pope Francis on Tour
The Pope Francis Joy Tour Broken Bay Diocese 2015-2016 What’s the latest on the Pope’s tour? Tune in to watch how the excitement continues among schools through the north shore of our Diocese! |
May 2016
Keeping up with Pope Francis
Further, deeper into Pope Francis’ vision for the Church This Pope is sure keeping us on our toes!
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The Joy of Love
Pope Francis’ new document on ‘Love in the Family’ More info at the DBB website. Below is one memorable quote from The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia). Share it with staff, parents. A further selection of quotes can be found here. Read full document here. Where are our children? “The real question, then, is not where our children are physically, or whom they are with at any given time, but rather where they are existentially, where they stand in terms of their convictions, goals, desires and dreams. The questions I would put to parents are these: “Do we seek to understand ‘where’ our children really are in their journey? Where is their soul, do we really know? And above all, do we want to know?” (261) Also of interest, “Top 10 Takeaways from the Joy of Love” by Fr James Martin SJ (America magazine) |
More from the ‘Joy of Love’
Prayerful decision making In the Joy of Love, Pope Francis reminds the church that it has been “called to form consciences, not to replace them” (37). Pastors, therefore, need to help people not simply follow rules, but to practice “discernment,” a word that implies prayerful decision making (304). Discernment is not something one does ‘out of the blue’, it calls for a regular habit of listening to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. The Ignatian Examen is one excellent tool for doing just that, one that the Pope Francis himself (as a Jesuit) practises daily, and one that draws deeply from our Catholic tradition. It is heartening and exciting to know that so many of our Broken Bay schools are teaching their students, teachers and parents the daily Examen, and thereby equipping them for life in a habit of spiritual discernment. Great work! To review resources click here. Also of interest: this Catholic Update article on the Examen. And these resources for staff formation. |
Year of Mercy: where do I find information? Three websites
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Available now
River of Joy, Streams of Mercy We are delighted to hear you are enjoying the booklet River of Mercy, Streams of Joy. Please check that you have also received two accompanying resources (and contact Sallyanne Butel, if not):
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Four mercy songs
Enjoy, Share...
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Ask Pope Francis
How can mercy be taught to children? This question was actually put to the Pope, to which he replied: “By getting them used to the stories of the Gospel and to the parables. By talking with them, and above all by having them experience mercy. By helping them understand that in life we sometimes make mistakes and fall but that the important thing is to always get back up.” [Excerpt from a book length interview with Pope Francis, “The Name of God is Mercy” (London: Bluebird Books, 2016)] |
An image of mercy
The Field Hospital “The family is the hospital closest to us: when someone is sick, they are cared for there, where possible …. It is the first school of mercy, because it is there that we have been loved and learned to love, have been forgiven and learned to forgive. I think of the weary eyes of a mother exhausting herself with work to bring food home to her drug-addicted son. She loves him, in spite of his mistakes.” [Excerpt from a book length interview with Pope Francis, “The Name of God is Mercy” (London: Bluebird Books, 2016)] |
Pope Francis on Tour
The Pope Francis Joy Tour Broken Bay Diocese 2015-2016 What’s the latest on the Pope’s tour? Tune in to watch how the excitement continues among schools through the north shore of our Diocese! www.dbbjoytour.blogspot.com.au. |
JANUARY 2016
Resource for Schools in the Year of Mercy
Ready for the start of the 2016 school year, Catholic Schools Office is offering an attractive and thought-provoking booklet, River of Mercy, Streams of Joy, to assist the formation and work of school leaders, teachers and parents. It offers a range of inspiring and practical ways to celebrate and embrace the Jubilee of Mercy in our schools and homes. The 50 page booklet will soon be followed by a PPT version as well as an audio-visual resource suitable for meditative prayer. For further information please contact Sallyanne Butel on 98470294 or email [email protected]. |
Further, deeper, into the Joy of the Gospel
The Jubilee Year of Mercy extends from 8 Dec 2015 to 20 Nov 2016. It is a year for the whole Church to enter more deeply into the Joy of the Gospel, discovering anew the relentless love and compassion God has for each of us: “God never tires of forgiving us … Time and time again Christ bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 3) For Broken Bay schools, in 2016 this means the ongoing unfolding of our three-year process God’s Mission, Joy of the Gospel, accented by the theme of ‘mercy’. |
Bishop Peter’s message for the Jubilee of Mercy
“God is constantly turning his face towards us, and his face is always one of compassion, forgiveness and kindness. God knows no other way.” .... “Whatever your state in life and whatever the circumstances in which you find yourself, embark with me as a humble pilgrim of mercy this year. Let our words be: compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and simple trust. More... |
Year of Mercy: where do I find information?
Three websites · The Vatican official website for the Jubilee of Mercy · The Diocese of Broken Bay has a Year of Mercy page including an events brochure and prayer card. · Mission Services has a Year of Mercy tab on its God's Mission: Joy of the Gospel website. |
Mercy prayers
A mercy prayer for Australian WYD pilgrims. Find it here. See too this Prayer Card at the Diocesan Jubilee of Mercy page. |
Resource: Mercy in family life
Practical ideas for living mercifully To inspire and hearten our families to live God’s mercy our Diocese of Broken Bay offers this prayerful resource so that the mercy of God might truly come alive in our homes, with a special focus on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Parents can choose, and accompany their children to undertake, particular works that best suit their household or circumstance. The resource might also be useful as a teacher’s reference for classroom discussion. More... |
Words of Pope Francis
Mercy in our living spaces Something to ponder: how the tangible, practical items of our lives symbolise deeper gifts from God! The door. “The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open.” The table. “The sharing of a meal—and therefore … also of affections, of stories, of events—is a fundamental experience.” The garden. “God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a garden.” The journey. “We must never forget that we are pilgrims journeying alongside one another.” These images are taken up in the booklet River of Mercy, Streams of Joy. |
‘The name of God is Mercy’
Pope releases new book on mercy In a new book released in 86 countries on 11 January, Pope Francis reveals his vision of God’s mercy. An extract follows [source: Zenit.org] “The Pope is a man who needs the mercy of God,” the Holy Father says in the book-length interview. “I said it sincerely to the prisoners of Palmasola, in Bolivia, to those men and women who welcomed me so warmly. I reminded them that even Saint Peter and Saint Paul had been prisoners. I have a special relationship with people in prisons, deprived of their freedom. I have always been very attached to them, precisely because of my awareness of being a sinner." “Every time I go through the gates into a prison to celebrate Mass or for a visit, I always think: why them and not me? I should be here. I deserve to be here. Their fall could have been mine. I do not feel superior to the people who stand before me. And so I repeat and pray: why him and not me? It might seem shocking, but I derive consolation from Peter: he betrayed Jesus, and even so he was chosen.” More... |
Living mercifully
How to practise self-compassion Kristin Neff at TEDxCentennialParkWomen The presenter in this video discusses the importance of showing compassion to oneself, which is different from what we usually think of as self-esteem. As an example of self-compassion she tells a poignant story about her 4 year old son – find it at 15.23min. More ... |
Pope Francis on Tour
Broken Bay Diocese 2015-2016 Catch up on the Pope’s latest adventures, this time at St John the Baptist School Woy Woy. They even made a movie! More ... |
august 2015
These Joy Notes are alerts to resources, website updates, and ‘quotable quotes’ relating to the Joy of the Gospel.
This issue includes material on the Pope’s recent encyclical Laudato Si’, On Care for our Common Home. Further ideas and resources can be accessed at the Joy of the Gospel Weebly, including a What’s New update. |
Food for thought
To ponder over a coffee… Pope Francis: “The task of evangelisation operates within the limits of language and of circumstances…. A missionary heart is aware of these limits and makes itself ‘weak with the weak... everything for everyone’ (1 Cor 9:22). It never closes itself off, never retreats into its own security, never opts for rigidity and defensiveness. It realizes that it has to grow in its own understanding of the Gospel and in discerning the paths of the Spirit, and so it always does what good it can, even if in the process, its shoes get soiled by the mud of the street.” (EG, #45). |
A remarkable encyclical - Laudato Si' Laudato Si', On the Care for our Common Home, is a remarkable piece of papal teaching. Find links to commentaries, discussion guides, prayers, and the document itself, here at the God’s Mission: Joy of the Gospel website. Further resources mentioned below. |
Resources for staff formation
Since the release of the Pope’s encyclical a number of resources have been developed ‘in house’ by the CSO. Summary:
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Concrete actions - 50 Ideas Here are 50 Ideas for Making Laudato Si’ part of Parish Life. How might these inspire concrete action in our schools? Examples: · Invite some of your talented musicians to write a song in praise of creation. · Review your recycling procedures. · Mark the Feast of St Francis. · Start a school community garden. · Review how outdoor spaces are treated during school sports · Introduce to your school “A prayer for our earth” found in Laudato Si’ #246. · In the sacrament of Reconciliation, invite children to reflect on how their care for the environment. · Look for simple ways to share your gratitude for life. |
Prayer Hints for Children Pope Francis has shared a quick and easy guide to prayer that you always have with you. Click here for Pope Francis’ Five Finger Prayer |
The Examen
Resources for developing the contemplative spirit: The brilliance of the Examen is explained in five-minute capsules, with Martin Scroope and teachers, students, parents of Broken Bay. · Examen: Promo · Examen: What is it? · Examen: Five steps · Examen: Advice to teachers · Parents and Examen · Examen and Kinder The Canisius Centre of Ignatian Spirituality, Pymble has a rich array of retreat opportunities based on Ignatian spirituality. More… |
Gems from Pope Francis
On a favourite theme… Further thoughts on what it means to be ‘shepherds with the smell of the sheep’… On 19 July the Pope spoke about the Gospel in which Jesus takes his Apostles “to a secluded place” to rest after their experience of mission. But when he arrives there he finds that a crowd has already gathered. It is at this point that we have an intense view of Jesus, almost a photograph, which captures “the sentiments of his heart”: Jesus, seeing the crowd, is “moved with pity” for them because “they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” Pope Francis says the three words “to see,” “to have compassion,” and “to teach” might be called “the words of the Shepherd.” Jesus does not look on people as a sociologist or a photographer would; rather, the Lord always sees people “with the eyes of the heart.” Likewise, Jesus’ compassion is not simply a human emotion, but is rather the compassion of “the Messiah in whom the tenderness of God is made flesh.” |
Pope Francis on Tour
The Pope Francis Joy Tour- Broken Bay Diocese 2015-2016 What’s the latest on the Pope’s tour? Find out at: www.dbbjoytour.blogspot.com.au. |
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In case you missed it…
Pope Francis has a sense of humour, but did Jesus? “Christians who are always deadly serious, are seriously dead!” Fr James Martin, S.J., speaks about the importance of humour and joy in the journey of faith. Watch this video – it will make you laugh while hearing some profound gospel truth! It's long, so you might want to skip the introductions (start at 9.37) and come back to it periodically. For a shorter reflection with the theme, 'Live your vocation joyfully' click here |
June 2015
These Joy Notes are alerts to resources, website updates, and ‘quotable quotes’ relating to the Joy of the Gospel.
This issue has a focus on our recent REC and Assistant Principal Conference. More… Further ideas and resources can be accessed at the Joy of the Gospel Weebly, including a What’s New update. |
Add inspiration to your coffee
Make your next coffee-break a prayer-break; add a spoonful of wisdom from Pope Francis: “Jesus breaks through the boring categories to which we try to limit him, and he constantly amazes us by his divine creativity” (EG #11). “Do not be satisfied with a mediocre life. Be amazed by what is true and beautiful, what is of God” (Pope Francis, Twitter post, 27 Jan 2014). |
Tips for a staff formation
100 PPT slides Thanks to Stephen Bevans, we now have access to 100 PPT slides brimming with quotable quotes from Evangelii Gaudium. · Peruse the slides as a refresher to the Conference input. · Select a section to present at your next SSD. · Choose a theme to reflect on at a staff meeting. · Find a quote for your newsletter. The PPTs are on the Joy of the Gospel Weebly- What's New in three segments: · What does JoG mean for Mission? · What does JoG mean for the Church? · What does JoG mean for Catholic Schools? |
A Truly Amazing Teacher
View this video about a teacher and father who embodies and witnesses to the joy of the Gospel and the love of God. A truly valuable contact: Sheena Macdonald is the REC at St Edmund’s Wahroonga and was with us at the recent REC and AP Conference at Terrigal. Every Monday Sheena runs a program which helps high school students from outside St Edmund's to enter into the world of students with disabilities and to meet them as people. For further information about this program contact Sheena through St Edmunds: 9487 1044 |
Tweet yourself!
We’ve saved the best tweets from our REC and Assistant Principal Conference using a program called Storify. Click here to view the summary of Tweets. |
Cross bookmarks with ‘joy quotes’ To recreate the lovely Cross bookmarks with ‘joy quotes’ provided at our REC Conference (courtesy of Sally-Anne Butel), click here and choose "save as" option. Bookmarks were printed, laminated then cut to cross shape. Use a hole punch for the ribbon. |
More joy on its way
A book of inspiring quotes & uplifting images “Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic schools… Educating is an act of love. It is like giving life.” “We are all on a journey… School is not a parking lot. It is a meeting place along the way.” These and more gems are coming to your school as a gift of the CSO in a gorgeous little book titled: Dear Young People: Inspiration from Pope Francis for Everyone (by award-winning illustrator Michael O’Neill McGrath). Open these pages, look and learn, and be transformed! |
Deep & prayerful listening
“We need to look at our cities with a contemplative gaze, a gaze of faith which sees God dwelling in their homes, in their streets and squares” (EG, 71). The whole first day of the REC Conference was devoted to an experience of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, expertly led by Mr Martin Scroope. As the saying goes, ‘it is impossible to love at high speed’ and the desire of Mission Services was to offer RECs an opportunity to slow down in the presence of God, and to listen deeply to the movement of the Spirit in our lives. Martin Scroope is director of the Canisius Centre of Ignatian Spirituality at Pymble which has a rich array of prayer and retreat opportunities based on Ignatian spirituality. Learn more here… |
Prayer tips
From the Conference Prayer Idea #1: “Be Not Afraid” – using Bob Dufford song with roll call of participants. Click here for Monday morning conference PPT. Prayer Idea #2: “Called by Name” – using David Haas song with a reflection on repetition in the Hebrew Scriptures. Click here to download, |
Gems from Pope Francis
‘Teachers with soul’ EG #273. My mission of being in the heart of the people is not just a part of my life or a badge I can take off… Instead, it is something I cannot uproot from my being without destroying my very self. I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world. We have to regard ourselves as sealed, even branded, by this mission of bringing light, blessing, enlivening, raising up, healing and freeing. All around us we begin to see nurses with soul, teachers with soul, politicians with soul, people who have chosen deep down to be with others and for others. But once we separate our work from our private lives, everything turns grey and we will always be seeking recognition or asserting our needs. We stop being a people. More… |
A teacher with soul
Aaahhhh!!! The lighter side of being an REC Mission Services receives many emails from RECs in the field, but this one was memorable. [Shared with permission!] Well it is 10.12am and I am exhausted. So far I have run a briefing for staff at 8.20am, but the calendar of events was so confusing I gave up on that. The principal is at a principals’ day. The AP is at a funeral. The stage 6 and 4 coordinators are not here today. I am in charge basically and during homeroom a year 8 student takes off as he is asked to put his mobile phone away and we start a full school hunt for him. I can’t deal with that anymore as I have to go and teach period 1. While teaching the front office calls 3 times with updates on the missing kid who is found out the front gate and parents called and taken home. Then I get a call to go at the end of period 1 to McDonalds as 4 of our kids are there swearing and making a public nuisance and should be at school. I go driving off there to not be able to find the monkeys. And to top it off I have already been in contact with help desk as well as I can’t get into anything on my computers etc. Great start to the morning. A staff member left me a gift of wine and box of coffee pods on my desk - I think all will be gone by 3.10pm. Hope you are all having a wonderful day too! love from… " "I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security." (EG, 49). (Pope Francis) |
Pope Francis on Tour of Broken Bay schools
Follow the Pope’s tour, starting at St Brendan’s Lake Munmorah at: www.dbbjoytour.blogspot.com.au. |
Pope Francis has a sense of humour, but did Jesus?
“Christians who are always deadly serious, are seriously dead!” Fr James Martin, S.J., speaks about the importance of humour and joy in the journey of faith. Watch this video – it will make you laugh while hearing some profound gospel truth! (It's long but you can start and stop... you might want to skip over the introductions) |
The Catacomb Pact against pomp and ceremony in the Church
Stephen Bevans shared this little known pact at the time of Vatican II that came as a surprise to Pope Francis when informed about it. Click here to read more. Would you, could you have signed up to the pact? |
april 2015
These Joy Notes are alerts to resources, website updates, and ‘quotable quotes’ relating to the Joy of the Gospel. Many more ideas and resources can be accessed at the Joy of the Gospel Weebly, including a What’s New update. |
Tips for a staff spirituality day
Break open a verse, a theme, an image One way to ‘break open’ Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, for staff is to take a theme, a particular image, or a single sentence from the document and explore it in various ways. The example offered here demonstrates how OLSS Terrigal used the theme ‘open doors’ in three prayer moments on their staff spirituality day. Find further ideas here and here. |
Resources
What Francis teaches us about leadership Religious and secular leaders have been analyzing the leadership style of Pope Francis and discussing its impact on the world. See the GMJOG website for a number of videos and articles on this topic. (This section is part of Leading Mission Module 1). |
Gems from Pope Francis
Mission is not about heroic individual undertakings “Though it is true that this mission demands great generosity on our part, it would be wrong to see it as a heroic individual undertaking, for it is first and foremost the Lord’s work, surpassing anything which we can see and understand. “This conviction enables us to maintain a spirit of joy in the midst of a task so demanding and challenging that it engages our entire life. God asks everything of us, yet at the same time he offers everything to us.” (EG, 12) You may like to share this item in your school newsletter. More gems from Pope Francis and the Gospels here. |
Would you like some joy with that?
Add a little inspiration to your coffee Make your next coffee-break a prayer-break, by adding a spoonful of wisdom from one of Pope Francis’ homilies: “Making an analogy, the Holy Father said, “Breathing is made up of two stages: inhaling, the intake of air, and exhaling, the letting out of this air. The spiritual life is fed, nourished, by prayer and is expressed outwardly through mission: inhaling and exhaling…No one can live without breathing…It is the same for the Christian: without praise and mission there is no Christian life.” |
MARCH 2015
Video resources from 22 Jan Leadership Forum
All presentations from the 22 January Leadership Forum are now available at the GMJOG website – that is, video recordings of Geraldine Doogue, panelists, schools’ contributions, plus notes, handouts, and PPTs. |
Tips for a Spirituality Day
‘The door of the Lord is always open’ One way to ‘break open’ The Joy of the Gospel for staff is to take a theme, a particular image, or a single sentence from the document and explore it in various ways. The example offered here demonstrates how OLSS Terrigal used the theme ‘open doors’ in three prayer moments on their staff spirituality day. Find further ideas here and here. |
Gems from Pope Francis
"Fix your gaze on Jesus, not soap operas" We often say, ‘But I have so much to do!’ "Yes, I know", said Pope Francis in his homily at Santa Mater (3 Feb 2015) before offering this 15 min/day plan: ‘In your home, 15 minutes, take the Gospel, a small passage, imagine what happened [in the Gospel story] and speak with Jesus about it. Thus your gaze will be fixed on Jesus and not on soap operas, for example. Your ears will be fixed on the words of Jesus and not so much on the gossip of the neighbours," he said. "Today, for example, look for 10 minutes -15, no more – read the Gospel, imagine and say something to Jesus. Nothing more; and in that way your knowledge of Jesus will be greater and your hope will grow. Do not forget, to have your gaze fixed on Jesus. And this is what the prayer of contemplation is for." (zenit.org) You may like to share this item in your school newsletter. More gems from Pope Francis and the Gospels here. |
Would you like some joy with that?
Add a little inspiration to your coffee Make your next coffee-break a prayer-break, by adding a spoonful of wisdom from Pope Francis’ Joy of the Gospel: “To pray for a person with whom I am irritated is a beautiful step forward in love, and an act of evangelisation. Let us do it today!” (EG, 101) |
February 2015
What a day! Thank you for your generous participation in the Leadership Forum Day on 22 January. We are most grateful for the kind expressions of appreciation expressed to all involved in planning and presenting the day. Videos of the panel and presentations, along with other resources used on the day are now on God's Mission: Joy of the Gospel. Click here To assist with the follow up, approximately three times a term Mission Services will forward these Joy Notes with alerts to resources, website updates, and ‘quotable quotes’ relating to the Joy of the Gospel. This bulletin will be brief, we won’t overwhelm you with items! But know that many more ideas and resources can be accessed at the God's Mission: Joy of the Gospel Weebly, including a What’s New? update. |
Scaffolds for a Staff spirituality day
Not sure where to start with breaking open ‘Joy of the Gospel’ with staff? Here is one suggested plan (Word/PDF), modelled on the recent Forum. Further templates are available here. Mission Services Team members will be in contact with schools who indicated on 22 January they are looking for support. |
Memorable moment: “Today’s world doesn’t know how to cry.”
At the January Forum we heard the story of Pope Francis’ response to a little girl who, through her tears, asked him why so many children suffer. As part of his reply Pope Francis said: “This is the first thing I want to say: let us learn how to weep as she has shown us today and let us not forget this lesson. The great question of why so many children suffer, she did this in tears. The response that we can make today is: let us really learn how to weep.” Read the full text here. You may like to share this item in your school newsletter. |
Would you like some joy with that?
Add a little inspiration to your coffee Make your next coffee-break a prayer-break, by adding a spoonful of wisdom from Pope Francis’ Joy of the Gospel: “We need to look at our cities with a contemplative gaze, a gaze of faith which sees God dwelling in their homes, in their streets and squares” (EG, 71). One way to develop this ‘contemplative gaze’ is to make the Examen part of our lives. |
A whirlpool of resources
Broken Bay Institute eConferences Staff now have access to all Broken Bay Institute e-Conferences. E-Conferences can provide the resources for an entire staff formation day or series of meetings. Click here to access this library of excellent presentations by top scholars, leaders and practitioners. In 2014, the e-Conference focused on 'Pope Francis: Modelling the Ministry of St Peter'. |