WELCOME TO SPRING!

At the beginning of the year, I ran the staff spirituality retreat on the seasons of our faith. When we think of the seasons we might think of the following….

Autumn: A time of pruning in preparation for winter. Leaves fall from trees; a time of transition.

Winter: Winter is marked as a long and dreary season. It is a time of heart growth (inner growth) in trees and plants.

Spring: Spring is marked as a time of cleansing and restoration from the difficult days of winter. Soil rotates; Refreshing rains. A time of transition. A time of pruning and re-growth.

Summer: Summer is marked as a time of extreme dryness and heat. Marked by a need for more water than usual to sustain strength and life. Top of the ground cracks from heat.

All Relationships go through different seasons, Autumn….. Winter…… Spring and Summer

Our relationship with God is no different. God takes us through changing spiritual seasons throughout our life. God uses them to shape and mould us into who we were created us to be.  Just as God’s physical world goes through periods of growth and change, God has plans for our spiritual growth and change.

Moving through Spiritual seasons builds our faith and brings us closer to God.  No matter what season of life we are experiencing, God wants us to walk side by side in relationship.

As we move into Spring- the season where life renews and bursts forth in a flurry of colour and growth, think about what you love about Sprint.  I love to see the trees and bushes push out tiny shoots of green. They restore my hope! The long season of winter and the dormancy it brings is over.  Spiritual spring is the time to “plant” those plans and ideas we formed in our winter season.

Spiritual Spring also reminds us we are new creations in Christ.  The seeds that are planted will bloom and grow as we soak in His Son. The blessing of rain falls in our lives to give us needed living hydration.  We feed on His Word to grow strong.

On this day, September 01, Pope Francis asks to pray for the care of creation. 

 "Praise to you, my risen Lord, who keeps meeting me in the garden of my life.

Who keeps calling my name, allowing me to feel blessed and cherished.

I give thanks for all of creation.

Teach me to commune with you in the great cathedral of nature.

I pray for eyes to see you, hands to touch you, and lungs to breathe you in every step I take this month.

Amen.

EUCHARIST

Yesterday our Year 5 children participated in their Eucharist Retreat Day. It was a wonderful day of prayer, reflection and learning. 22 of our Year 5 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time on Tuesday 13th September, please keep these children in your continued prayers.

A reminder to the parents of those children that there is a final session on either Wednesday 7th or Thursday 8th September (next week) for both children and adults to practice the ritual of receiving the Eucharist and final arrangements. You need only attend one night, but this session is compulsory.

Have a great week!

Sharee Thomas