Newsletter 16: 20 November 2019

 Dear Colleagues,

ADVENT

In a little over a week, the holy season of Advent will mark our preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Questions such as “where did the year go?” or “how can we possibly get everything done before Christmas?” naturally enter our minds. Advertisements on television and on billboards can accentuate a sense of panic, as days are counted down to Christmas and the need “to shop” is repeated incessantly. However, as Marist educators, we share the vision of Saint Marcellin, to make Jesus known and loved, and embrace this holy season with its many opportunities to bring that vision to life. Whether it be through supporting the Australian Marist Solidarity Christmas Appeal, a particular project of the local St Vincent de Paul, additional times for prayer and reflection, or special events such as a Carols night, we seek to point our young people to Jesus. 

At this busy time of year for people in schools, the sheer volume of work can distract us from our own attentiveness to the meaning of Advent from a personal perspective. Recently a colleague kindly shared the following reflection from Saint Pope John XXIII, the instigator of the Second Vatican Council, fondly referred to as “The Good Pope”. I share it with you, hopeful it may prove useful during the coming weeks.

Ten tips from Pope John XXIII about how to live a better life, day to day.

1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing 

to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behaviour; I will not criticise anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, 

not only in the other world but also in this one.

4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances 

to be adapted to my own wishes.

5. Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; 

and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.