School Focus Weeks 7-9: FAITH

Next week begins our next whole school focus: FAITH. All classes will be exploring what faith means and how faith helps to shape who we are and what we do as members of a Catholic community. We often turn to those in our lives or in history who have shown great faith, often during times of challenge. I think of my Nan, Hazel. Not only is she a woman of great faith, but she lived her faith whole heartedly. I think of the times when I was younger when we would all be gathered as a family – my dad has 6 brothers and sisters – so our gatherings are quite big. My nan and pop always gave their time, and everyone felt loved and part of our big family. Spending most of my school holidays as a young child with them, I quickly learned that to have faith was to believe in something and to trust that it was enough to get you through.

Where did my nan’s faith come from? Looking back on those days, I really believe that her faith came from our Sunday tradition. We would wake up, get dressed, have breaky and walk to the little church in Adelong, St Joseph’s, for Sunday mass. Nan would give me 10c to give in the collection and Pop would prepare to read the readings of the day. Nan would listen to the word of God and would talk to me and my sister about it afterwards.

As a parent I try to make our family tradition as special for my children. I want them to learn about their faith and to trust in where it will take them. They come to mass with me, they fidget and fuss at times, but they are questioning. When they question – they are listening! We discuss their questions and in turn, develop their understanding of their faith.

Over the next couple of weeks, ask your child if they have any questions about your family’s faith. Go to mass or tune in via the live link over the weekend and listen to the messages that God has for you. Sometimes, its like God knows what you needed to hear to tackle the week ahead.