As is usually the case with grade liturgies, two students from Year 7 were invited to write and deliver a reflection based on the Bible passages read during the liturgy. On this occasion, Holly B and Mackenzie Q accepted this opportunity and they both delivered excellent, thoughtful reflections. The following is what the girls reflected upon:

When I think of 2020, I think of a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs, highs and lows. We have all been through so much this year, both as a grade and as individuals. Looking on the bright side, thankfully we are at St Pat's during this pandemic, juggling school, friendships and our own personal struggles in our first year of high school. Sure, it’s not exactly something to be excited about, but looking back on it in 50 or so years, we can be proud that we, as a St Patrick's community, have all grown closer through this crazy time together.

Online learning was definitely a little different than our normal Monday to Friday, to say the least. While we all adapted to zoom calls and found ways to stay connected, the world around us changed rapidly. At times, fear and uncertainty clouded my mind, but with strength and faith, I was able to both accept the change and learn to cope in the difficult climate that soon became our normal. It’s crazy to think that almost 10 months ago, I walked through the front gates of St Patrick’s College for the very first time. We were given around 9 weeks to transition into this new world and learn where all our classes were before we were sent into lockdown.

All of a sudden, we began to value the importance of friendship and connectedness more than ever. Who knew I would actually miss the aggressive competition to get to your locker in the afternoon, or the sprint to class, from one end of the school to the other. We had to find new ways to entertain ourselves, and I don’t know about all you, but my screen time went through the roof. Now look at us, in the beginning weeks of term 4, and the time has flown. It feels like almost yesterday I was sitting at my desk, attending zoom meetings every hour, and being put in awkward break out rooms.

In the first reading, we learn that even if the mountains and the hills and everything else seemingly important disappears, God's love for us will never leave, it will always remain strong. Even through tough times, like we experienced earlier this year, and continue to face, God will always love us, no matter who we are or what choices we make. Then, in the second reading, God tells us to show mercy, to be kind and humble and to forgive those who have wronged us.

In these times, community is more important than ever, and our relationships with others may have become strained, which makes our faith and trust in God necessary. As made aware in our readings today, we must find peace and love in all we do, to ensure our community is one of loving embrace, kindness and hospitality to all.

Our year thus far has been quite an eventful one and I believe that, through these tough times, we have been given a great opportunity, to learn more about ourselves, to spend more time with our families and to also recognise our strength as a community. My Year 7 experience has been not only different, but also valuable, and one I wouldn’t change for the world.

Throughout the liturgy, which included a brief time of meditation, all of the Year 7 girls responded enthusiastically and entered respectfully into each part of the prayer together. St Pat’s offers the girls opportunities such as these so that they may bond as a year group and experience a strong sense of community which is very important during a year such as 2020 has been.

Angelo Gattone - Mission Coordinator