Opening of the School Year Mass took place to-day in the church of The Annunciation, Rathfarnham. The theme of our mass was Fraternity/Friendship. Pope Francis in his January 1, 2014 World Day of Peace message used the theme of Fraternity. Pope Francis stresses that ‘each person becomes a neighbour who cares’ and he sees Fraternity as the foundation and pathway of peace.
Our hope for the new school year is that we strive always to develop an attitude of service to others, especially those in most need in our world. Pope Francis reminds us that service is the soul of fraternity that builds up peace. Our scripture readings reflect on that much can be accomplished when two or three people work together in God’s name.
Our 6th year students who have just returned from Lourdes as handmaids to sick pilgrims gave a moving reflection of their time in Lourdes.
Service is the soul of fraternity. As we bring ourselves with all our hopes and dreams for the year ahead, we open our hearts to Jesus’ invitation to each one of us, to love and respect each other. Jesus said ‘I am the love to be loved, I am the life to be shared, I am the truth to be told, I am the light to be lit, I am the peace to be given’
May we strive to share this love, life, joy, truth, light and peace with each other today and throughout the coming year.
We are ever grateful to Father Martin Noone who is a good friend to Beaufort. We thank him for his faith presence in our school community. May he continue to guide his church family with the hand of faith as he passes on the gospel message of God’s love and forgiveness.
