Christian Meditation

Prayer is an important part of the life and culture at Carroll College. An ancient form of prayer is meditation and staff and students have, in the past week, been introduced to the practice of Christian Meditation. The history of this form of prayer is explained in the Australian Christian Meditation Community’s pamphlet, “An Introduction to Christian Meditation.” It states:

“The ancient Christian tradition of meditating on a singly sacred word or phrase (mantra) was revived by the English Benedictine monk, Dom John Main (1926-82), who established an ecumenical Christian Mediations Centre in London in 1975 and then, in 1977, with Dom Laurence Freeman OSB, founded a meditation community for religious and lay people in a Monastery in Montreal.”

“Meditation involves coming to a stillness of spirit and a stillness of body. The extraordinary thing is that, in spite of all the distractions of the modern world, this silence is perfectly possible for all of us. To attain this silence and stillness we have to devote time, energy and love. “

Laurence Freeman OSB

Archbishop Christopher Prowse of the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn has requested that all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese begin to introduce Christian Mediation as a regular form of prayer. All schools have been asked to “focus on embedding Christian Meditation.” The goal is that over time all students in all year levels will regularly have the opportunity to participate in Christian Meditation.

The Stillness, Silence and Simplicity of Christian Meditation offer students a way of prayer that allows them to enter into contemplation. That is, they move from their head to their heart and come to experience the indwelling presence of God.

On Tuesday 11 October, Helen Bramanathan from Catholic Education visited the school to take Year 7 Humanities classes and the staff through the practice of Christian meditation. We learned what Christian Meditation entailed and the benefits for the mind, body and soul.

The staff have begun to move to the practice of Christian Meditation for our weekly staff prayer on a Thursday morning. Humanities classes will be taking part in the practice at least once a week. It is hoped that this form of prayer will then filter through the whole school as the years progress and soon all RE classes will be making Christian Meditation a regular part of the lesson.

So far both staff and students have found this to be a gentle form of prayer that has encouraged and allowed for some much-needed stillness and silence in our busy days. I am very much looking forward to watching this initiative grow and seeing the benefits that come from this ancient form of contemplation.

Formation Days

Year level Formation Days are an important feature of the faith and personal development program at the College. Typically, Formation Days are spread throughout the year. This year due to COVID restrictions, we have needed to move all four days into Term 4. The table below is for your ease of reference regarding the days and dates for Formation Days this term.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

The Social Justice Captains, Heidi Manning, Claire Mass and Autumn Rankin, have launched our 2022 Vinnies Christmas Appeal. They have been selling lolly bags this week and running a Friday raffle prize. Each Friday there will be items to buy to support the cause so please bring along a gold coin or two on Fridays to support the Christmas Appeal. 

Donations can also be made in Homerooms of non-perishable food items that will help to celebrate Christmas. Christmas gifts (unwrapped) are also welcome. There are posters around the College to give students ideas about what to donate. Cash donations are also able to be made via Qkr!

Please support the Social Justice Captains and the Christmas Appeal!

Prayers

Please keep the Woolridge family in your thoughts and prayers following the passing of Nigel Woolridge. Our deepest sympathies to the family.

Erica Drewsen
Religious Coordinator