6 September 2011

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T (07) 3394 9999 F (07) 3847 1254 E email@loreto.qld.edu.au W www.loreto.qld.edu.au PO Box 1726 Coorparoo DC Qld 4151 ABN 73 602 851 304

Volume 6 - 6 September, 2011 Dear Parents and Students “Finding God in all things” and “referring all to God”: these are the key concepts of the spirituality of St Ignatius and Mary Ward.

Throughout her life Mary Ward found free and open access to God. This image from the Painted Life portrays this. “The right hand side of the picture shows her in prayer. On the left hand side, divided from the other by a thick vertical line, are piled up all the symbols of power: tiara, cardinal’s hat, bishop’s mitre and crosier, royal crowns, helmets, swords, spears, flags, books and a chest full of coins. Across the dividing wall a ray of light from above, from God, falls on the praying figure, God’s hand is raised in a gesture of blessing. The inscription on the picture explains that the good condition, growth and safety of her company did not consist in riches, high esteem or the favour of princes, but in the fact that the members “had free and open access to God from whom proceed all strength, light and protection.” In this representation it is clear that the metaphor of free and open access is taken from the feudal world where everything depended on being able to present your petition in the right place, and on having powerful advocates.” In the Presence of God by Ursula Dirmeier IBVM

How do we avail ourselves of free and open access to God? How does life become a conversation? “To refer all to God is a way of dealing with reality by establishing a connection between ‘all’ and God. Things, actions, everything that happens to me, everything I encounter can be brought into connection with God.” God speaks to us then through whatever is going on around us and within us. May we be attentive to God in every essence of our daily encounters, confident in His love and His desire for us to be complete. May we converse freely and openly so that we might come to know ourselves better in service of God. This we pray in earnest. Amen. THANK YOU  From Catholic Mission to the staff and students of Loreto for your generous donation of $2000 towards supporting those who are most vulnerable in today’s world through the “Children First” campaign. “Your generosity is enabling the Catholic Church to support the little ones who have no voice, who are powerless and who feel neglected. By your efforts, you are giving them hope.” Missions Resource Officer, Catholic Mission, Brisbane.

Justice

Sincerity

FELICITY

Verity

Freedom


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