On Tuesday 1 September, instead of gathering in the College Chapel, Year 9 girls assembled in the Mary Sheil Centre (with appropriately spaced seating) to celebrate their Year 9 Grade Liturgy. The Year 9 girls entered into this time of prayer and meditation with reverence and respect. Their prayerfulness was maintained throughout the one hour liturgy, which had two high points. One highlight was the entering into a time of peaceful guided meditation. Another highlight was listening to two of the Year 9 girls—Abbey C. and Isabelle O.—who had written and then delivered their own reflections on their experiences of this year so far. It is the practice at St Patrick’s to invite the girls to take on leadership roles within the liturgy, such as delivering a reflection on the Scripture readings used in the liturgy. Both Abbey and Isabelle delivered engaging and remarkable reflections on their own experiences as well as reflecting on the readings used in the liturgy. Below is printed the reflection delivered by Ysabelle O:

Liturgy Reflection

Three-quarters into the year and we have all been through so much; from bushfires to drought, to a global pandemic and quarantine. It was especially difficult when we went into remote learning and working from home during the end of term 1 and term 2. It was during that time that I felt life suddenly changed a bit. Sports events were cancelled, we were advised and not allowed to go outside, school was all online and prior arrangements or events for the year had to be postponed or abandoned.

I remember feeling at that moment really rushed and confused, and a little disappointed. We went into a time where getting up in the morning, then taking a bus to get to school and actually being at school was no longer part of the routine. And before we knew it “Zoom” became the new normal. The experience was new to everyone and it sure did not go by without some struggles. But somehow, we all managed to get through it.

What particularly helped me get through such a confusing time was using a coping strategy, such as an activity or hobby that was part of my usual routine, to make me feel like things were still the same. For some, it may have been their designated family time, for others it may have been their occasional conversations with God. For me, it was that 1 hour every afternoon I spent reading, listening to music, or conversing with friends. That time became therapeutic because it allowed me to heal, to learn to be kinder to myself and others, to be more humble, gentler, and patient—as today’s reading from St Paul has suggested to us.

Eventually, we returned to school. Now, instead of facing the struggles of internet issues, it was becoming familiar with our old school routine. So many changes and challenges we have faced in such a short amount of time, yet luckily for us we were able to manage and adapt the best we can to whatever the circumstance. And we we able to do so with the support of our family, friends, and the St Patrick’s College community. This experience helped me realise that to be resilient is to accept the situation and determine your own ways to cope; to struggle means that you need to take advantage of the resources you have and the support you are given to handle the problem; and to overcome a challenge is to not be afraid. - Ysabelle O - Year 9 Student

Angelo Gattone - Mission Coordinator