Catholic Studies

Over the last few weeks, Year 11 Catholic Studies students have been looking at the topic of Christian leadership, mission and ministry. This goes to the very heart of what Christ commanded when he told his followers to go and make disciples of all nations by bringing forth the Good News of the risen Christ (Matthew 28:18). The mission that was entrusted to those earliest of followers is the mission we are still tasked with today. But what is this Good News, what is its relevance to us, and how do we share it when we have it? 

The Good News is the person of Jesus Christ who is God with us. It is the hope that is brought to us through the saving words and actions of Jesus as he suffered on the Cross for all of us and of God’s unconditional love for us all. “The joy of the Gospel fills the heart and the whole life of those who encounter Jesus. Those who allow themselves to be saved by him are freed from sin, from sadness, from inner emptiness, from isolation.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii gaudium, I). In short the Good News, when we truly hear it, is to experience the love of God and once we experience it then we cannot help but share it with everyone we encounter. 

The relevance of this ancient message of love and hope goes to the very core of our human nature. It holds the answers to our deepest questions in life and it connects us to the ultimate power source that is God. We don’t have to look too far to recognise how lost and unfulfilled we become when we lose that connection. By recognising and responding to God in others it is difficult not to hear this message of love or to recognise the relevance of it to our individual and communal life. 

How do we experience this hope and God’s unconditional love? Quite simply by choosing to connect ourselves to Christ, by accepting him into our life and following the example for living that he gave us. When we choose to connect to him, to live out the Way, the Truth and the Life, then we ourselves become part of the Holy Trinity. If we understand the Trinity as God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, then the Holy Spirit is the manifestation of God’s love for his Son Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit envelops us, and pours from us and this is when we as individuals start to truly evangelise, to share the gift of eternal life, to live a truly fulfilled life.

When we elect to become Christian, we are choosing to respond to God’s demonstration of unrestrained love and hope by exhibiting that same love and hope to all we meet; it is evident in the way we think, talk and act. The Good News then is not something that is forced on us.  It has been offered freely and without agenda which is why it is left to us as individuals to either respond to it or ignore it. 

By considering the gifts, skills and talents that we have all been blessed with, we all have a unique evangelising role that strengthens the whole community. Year 11 has been looking at ways of building up and strengthening the community that they live, work and socialise in by engaging in concrete actions that focus on love for others. Some of our students have engaged in volunteering roles, others have put their personal skills, gifts and talents to the service of others by providing goods, sharing time, and assisting those in need. 

One simple and creative initiative undertaken recently has been to make and gift to others a message of love, hope and compassion through the simple act of creating some small hand sewn hearts with an accompanying scripture reference. It has been wonderful to see the joy evident as the students went about the business of making and distributing them, and to see the impact of these gifts on those who have received them. 

What can you do with your skills, gifts and talents to remind others of the love God has for all of us?

Caroline Doyle
Leader of Learning – Catechesis