Faith, Mission and Learning

Our World Youth Day pilgrims have returned from Lisbon, In what was from all accounts an amazing journey.

While they were away Euleila, Jericho and Rachel visited London, Paris and some very important historical sites for Catholics. SItes of the miraculous and miracles. Where humanity has encountered God in profound ways.

Places where  the faith is still very much alive in the world. They visited the shrine of St Vincent De Paul,who died more than 400 years ago, his body incorrupt, untouched by death. 

They visited Lourdes where Mary the mother of Jesus appeared to St Bernadette and told her to dig in the mud, from the mud a spring arose, and through these waters many are healed miraculously. They visited Fatima where again in 1917 Our Lady appeared to three small children giving them messages for the world to return to God. Following the apparitions there was a great miracle of the sun where the sun danced in the sky and was witnessed by hundreds of people.

The trip culminated in the World Youth Day Mass with Pope Francis in Lisbon, where thousands of young people from around the world came together to celebrate being Catholic and the wonder of being in a relationship with Jesus.

After speaking to our pilgrims however it was this encounter that was the highlight, the making of new friends, of coming together in a shared spirit, of encounter, of celebrating the extraordinary in ordinary lives.

 St Andrews pilgrim Euliela Barret, had this to say about the experience.

WYD was incredible in so many ways, I know you could say this for any travel abroad but it gave me the chance to see God in all I encountered. I saw God everywhere but most prominently in the people I met throughout the trip. I saw God in people from so many different countries coming together for a common purpose. I saw him in Pope Francis (Papa Francisco we called him) who led us so beautifully in the Mass, and I especially saw God in the other student pilgrims I got really close to throughout the three weeks of the journey. There were so many exciting new experiences I had travelling around Europe for the first time. From visiting the many Basilicas, learning about different Saints, visiting sacred places where miracles have occurred, and meeting the Pope for the first time. The experience of sleeping out under the stars before the final Mass with another 1.5 million Catholics was one that was so memorable. This trip however, would not have been as special, so close to my heart without the  love of the people I spent it with. The friends I made as I experienced this pilgrimage resonated with me and what I felt during Papa Franciso’s introduction speech, and the phrase we were reminded of the entire trip. The Pope repeated one word throughout his speech todos - meaning everyone. Everyone is welcomed into God’s kingdom, everyone is united in this family and everyone is loved by God. It is the people you are with where you see God. It is you and I that  reflect God’s love in our values and intentions, and it is the journey you have with these people where you feel God’s presence. As per the saying we were continuously reminded of during our pilgrimage “it’s about the journey not the destination”, soak in everything you do, you feel, you see, and all the efforts you put into the journey before you get to your destination, I learnt this on my trip and that’s where I truly felt the presence of God. 

Euleila Barret.

The Mass for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On Tuesday 15th August St Andrews celebrated Mary's Assumption into heaven. The Assumption of Mary is a significant Feast Day and a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. 

The Assumption commemorates the belief that when Mary, the mother of Jesus, died, her body was "assumed" into heaven to be reunited with her soul, instead of going through the natural process of physical decay upon death. The Gospel of the day Luke highlights Mary's faith. Mary's faith enabled her to recognise the work of God in the world and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, and respond to the call of God within our lives.

Thank you to Father Kevin Redmond for presiding over the Mass, and always making himself available to the College. Thank you to Mr Alata, Ms Lee and  the vocal ensemble for leading us so beautifully in song and prayer. Thank you also to Mr Finnerty and Mr Culbert who assisted with the running of the day.

Andrew Hoare

Director of Faith Mission and Learning.