In the reading for the Second Sunday of Lent, we read of the Transfiguration:  Peter, James and John accompanied Jesus to pray in a quiet, peaceful place at the top of a mountain.  While they were there, Jesus appeared to change, becoming radiant in God’s glory.  His face and clothes shone with a brilliant light as dazzling as the rays of the sun and Moses and Elijah appeared on either side of Jesus, talking to him.  We can see that glory and light reflected in everything around us, the whole of creation and we can feel the warmth of God’s love in our lives if we open ourselves to the possibilities.  We can glory in the gifts he has given us and use them to be positive and see the possibilities in everyone we meet.

This week at Holy Spirit, we value gratitude which is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.  When we feel gratitude, we are pleased by what someone has done for us and also pleased by the results.  It is also about focusing on what is good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have.  How often do we pause to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access?  One of the ways we can teach our students to show gratitude is to simply have them learn to say “Thank you”.  It is a lovely habit to have and a way to show someone they have done something nice for us.  Thank you to all our parents and friends for your ongoing support of our school.

This week’s feature story for the Project Compassion theme, ‘Be More’, is about Margret who is a teacher at a vocational school for deaf students in the Solomon Islands.  She was born deaf, so she knows the challenges it poses to education and employment.

The school faced water shortages for about half the year.  Staff and students would walk for up to half an hour to collect water for drinking, cooking, washing and growing vegetables.  Then in April 2020, amidst the threat of COVID-19, Tropical Cyclone Harold struck, damaging school buildings and its vegetable garden.

With Caritas Australia’s support, Margret’s school installed eight large water tanks and provided cyclone-proof materials to repair the damage.  It also helped the school to implement COVID-19 prevention measures, providing fabric for students to make face masks.

Margret’s school now has enough safe water to supply the school’s population of 150 and has the capacity to cater for more students.  It plans to boost food security, by increasing its agricultural production.  This will improve nutrition and boost the school’s income, while building resilience to future disasters.  Margret hopes that the school can aspire to ‘Be More’.  “I am proud that our school community works together with Caritas Australia as our partner in ensuring that we live in a healthier environment,” Margret says.

REGISTRATION FOR THE SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME for children in Grade 4 and above will close on Friday 26 February.  Registration forms are available from the Parish Office. 

God bless.

Caroline Fuller