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Loreto
Chronicle Volume 24 No.2 June 2011
From the Principal
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n 1609, Mary Ward experienced her “Glory Vision”; a moment in time when she understood distinctly and profoundly that she was at one with the Lord in her life’s mission. But for three patient years thereafter, she prayed for insight and for understanding as to how her calling might come to be. How might her sisters be free to serve the poor? How might they be governed? How might they endure? One can only imagine that these questions and uncertainties would be deeply troubling for most. But for Mary, one has the sense that her profound faith gave her freedom from such anxiety, enabling her to trust that in time, God’s time, the answer would come. And so it did when, in 1611, Mary understood with great and sudden clarity that she was being called to “take the same as the Society”. She was being led to found her order on the same principles as the constitutions for the Jesuits (the Society of Jesus) established by St Ignatius. The Loreto sisters today refer to this as her “take the same” moment and celebrate it as the true beginning of their spiritual foundation. In 2011, we take time to remember this extraordinary moment and to celebrate our Ignatian heritage. Ignatian spirituality is accessible, relevant and practical. Ignatius and Mary Ward were both “contemplatives in action” for whom prayer and active service were inextricably linked: prayer through service and service through prayer. Ignatian spirituality invites us: - to listen to ourselves, to others and to God; - to pay attention to our deepest longings; our genuine hearts’ desires; - to serve others with love and great generosity; and - to seek and find God in all things; in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Let us “take the same”, finding joy and gratitude in simple pleasures and ordinary moments. May we be a community of freedom and joy, finding richness in service and acts of social justice. In the words of Mother Gonzaga Barry ibvm: All around you are possibilities for doing good and making the world richer for your having lived in it. Mrs Cheryl Hamilton
The Year of Felicity This is an edited version of College Captain Emily Poncini’s address at the Inaugural Mass.
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s we come into the new year of 2011, we once again step up to the challenge of incorporating the values of Mary Ward into our everyday lives. Last year, we gathered to reflect on Mary Ward’s virtue of verity. This year, we celebrate the virtue of felicity. Felicity is attitude of mind, a disposition of the heart which manifests itself in cheerfulness, good humour, joy, happiness, hope, optimism, friendliness, courtesy, positive thinking, inner peace, self-acceptance and courage. At first glance, one can make the assumption that felicity simply means fun; however there is always more than meets the eye. The student leaders of Loreto schools around Australia together wrote this prayer to reflect their understanding of this deep spark within each of us: Lord, in the spirit of FELICITY, may we embrace each day with an open mind, to value ourselves so we can accept others. May we inspire hearts with a humble tongue, to build a community of cheerful givers. May we strive to be women of optimism, peace and joy women of generous hearts. Amen.
To ensure that 2011 is filled with the spirit of felicity, we must focus on what strengthens and unites us. This year we have already experienced devastation and heartache caused by floods that have left Queensland bruised and battered. I am sure that many people here today have felt the destruction of the floods first hand and will continue to for months, even years to come. However, I am also sure that through it all, no one has been alone. I will certainly remember the way Queenslanders have become united to support those in need. I feel privileged to have witnessed the beauty and goodness of people in my own community as they constantly gave of themselves and what they had. Walking through the streets, I saw things that brought tears to my eyes. But then the sound of laughter from someone who had lost everything was enough to stop me and I couldn’t help but be humbled and just marvel at the courage shown by these people. This is what has strengthened us and what will enable us to overcome the desolation we have faced. The spirit of felicity is already in our midst; we need now to harness this and work towards keeping it alive throughout the year. Cont. next page
Be seekers of truth and doers of justice