Melbourne Catholic

‘Into the Deep’ weekly reflections in Lent We live in a world that often prioritises the ephemeral and the superficial over more meaningful and enduring values. Countless distractions keep us from candid self-examination or quiet contemplation. In Lent, we are invited to turn away from all that distracts us and to reorient ourselves towards God; to examine and reintegrate our lives by focusing on divine rather than human priorities; to plunge into the deep, restorative waters of God’s love and mercy. And we are offered beautiful, ancient tools to help us enter into this gracious season of reflection and preparation—tools of prayerfulness, simplicity and generosity. These weekly reflections are provided as an opportunity to clear some time and space from distractions this Lent and go deeper: deeper into the paschal mystery, deeper into relationship with God, deeper into truth and life.

‘Into the Deep’ weekly reflections in Lent We live in a world that often prioritises the ephemeral and the superficial over more meaningful and enduring values. Countless distractions keep us from candid self-examination or quiet contemplation. In Lent, we are invited to turn away from all that distracts us and to reorient ourselves towards God; to examine and reintegrate our lives by focusing on divine rather than human priorities; to plunge into the deep, restorative waters of God’s love and mercy. And we are offered beautiful, ancient tools to help us enter into this gracious season of reflection and preparation—tools of prayerfulness, simplicity and generosity. These weekly reflections are provided as an opportunity to clear some time and space from distractions this Lent and go deeper: deeper into the paschal mystery, deeper into relationship with God, deeper into truth and life.

‘Into the Deep’ weekly reflections in Lent We live in a world that often prioritises the ephemeral and the superficial over more meaningful and enduring values. Countless distractions keep us from candid self-examination or quiet contemplation. In Lent, we are invited to turn away from all that distracts us and to reorient ourselves towards God; to examine and reintegrate our lives by focusing on divine rather than human priorities; to plunge into the deep, restorative waters of God’s love and mercy. And we are offered beautiful, ancient tools to help us enter into this gracious season of reflection and preparation—tools of prayerfulness, simplicity and generosity. These weekly reflections are provided as an opportunity to clear some time and space from distractions this Lent and go deeper: deeper into the paschal mystery, deeper into relationship with God, deeper into truth and life.

Earlier this year Melbourne played host to the National Catholic Social Services Conference. The theme of which was Serving our Communities with Courage and Compassion. During the conference we caught up with the facilitator of the Plenary Council: Lana Turvey Collins.

‘Into the Deep’ weekly reflections in Lent We live in a world that often prioritises the ephemeral and the superficial over more meaningful and enduring values. Countless distractions keep us from candid self-examination or quiet contemplation. In Lent, we are invited to turn away from all that distracts us and to reorient ourselves towards God; to examine and reintegrate our lives by focusing on divine rather than human priorities; to plunge into the deep, restorative waters of God’s love and mercy. And we are offered beautiful, ancient tools to help us enter into this gracious season of reflection and preparation—tools of prayerfulness, simplicity and generosity. These weekly reflections are provided as an opportunity to clear some time and space from distractions this Lent and go deeper: deeper into the paschal mystery, deeper into relationship with God, deeper into truth and life. Episode 2: The Transfiguration In this second episode, Fr Nathan Rawlins of St Peter's Epping reflects on the Transfiguration. He explores those transcendent 'mountaintop' experiences, using retreats, pilgrimages and ACYF as an example of experiences of the faith at its most tangible. Despite the euphoria of these Transfiguration moments, we're not called to stay on the mountain top, says Fr Nathan. We have to go down. We're not called to be Catholics for our own sake but for the sake of the world, where we are called to be. Our mission is to come down the mountain, to live in the world and bring Jesus with us to those who need Him. Mountaintop experiences help us prepare to go down the mountain and into the mission field as disciples, Fr Nathan explains. They exist to stoke the fires of faith, charity and zeal in our hearts. Even when you're at the base of the mountain, nourish your faith that it might be as firm as St Peter's. Remember you don't walk down the mountain alone.

‘Into the Deep’ weekly reflections in Lent We live in a world that often prioritises the ephemeral and the superficial over more meaningful and enduring values. Countless distractions keep us from candid self-examination or quiet contemplation. In Lent, we are invited to turn away from all that distracts us and to reorient ourselves towards God; to examine and reintegrate our lives by focusing on divine rather than human priorities; to plunge into the deep, restorative waters of God’s love and mercy. And we are offered beautiful, ancient tools to help us enter into this gracious season of reflection and preparation—tools of prayerfulness, simplicity and generosity. These weekly reflections are provided as an opportunity to clear some time and space from distractions this Lent and go deeper: deeper into the paschal mystery, deeper into relationship with God, deeper into truth and life. -- Episode 1: Jesus in the wilderness In this first episode, Ria Greene reflects on Jesus’ time in the wilderness. Ria says that the setting for Jesus’ time in the wilderness offers pilgrims of today a way to critically consider and prepare for the season of Lent by examining what it means for us to live in right relationship with God, with one another, and with creation. Ria has worked in Catholic education for more than twenty years, with a focus on religious education and faith formation, but has also worked as a parish catechist and sacraments coordinator, and has completed further studies in religious education and theology. She teaches a senior religious studies class at St Bede’s College, where she is Deputy Principal.

Josh Lourensz by Melbourne Catholic

Jaynie Anderson by Melbourne Catholic