VOLUME XXXIV No. 9 8th June, 2017
HOMILY FOR PENTECOST 2017
DATES TO REMEMBER JUNE Public Holiday – School Closed
12th
Divine Liturgy SS
15th
Half Yearly Reports to Parents JS
23rd
Term 2 ends for staff & students
JULY Staff Development Day
17th
Students return
18th
Parent/Teacher Interviews JS K-4 & 6
19th
Parent/Teacher Interviews JS K-3 & 5
20th
Athletics Carnival SS
21st
Parent/Teacher Conferences Yr7 3.30-7pm
24th
Parent Teacher Conferences Yr8 3.30-7pm
26th
HSC Drama Showcase
27th
Parent Teacher Conferences Yr11 3.30-7pm
31st
Trial HSC begins
31st
AUGUST State Futsal JS Parent Teacher Conferences Yrs 9 & 10
1st 2nd
3.30 – 7.30pm
Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the all-Holy Spirit into the world, which occurred fifty days after the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The historical account of Pentecost is found in the New Testament, in the Acts of the Apostles. In its second chapter, St Luke tells us that the apostles of our Lord were gathered together in one place with the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, and then suddenly, a sound came from Heaven like a rushing wind that filled the entire house where the Apostles had gathered. Then, tongues of fire appeared and one sat upon each of the Apostles. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in diverse languages as directed to them by God (Acts 2: 1-4). In the Gospel reading for the feast, we heard our Lord say: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink, He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said; out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7: 37-39). The living water referred to here is the gift of the Holy Spirit and the new life that accompanies this gift. In interpreting this passage of scripture, St Cyril of Jerusalem (4th Century) in his 16th Catechetical Lecture on the Creed, teaches us that Christ calls the grace of the Holy Spirit water as all living things are dependent on water for their survival. In turn, Orthodox Christians depend on the grace of the Holy Spirit for their spiritual survival. Here, water adapts itself to the needs of every living creature that receives it: it quenches our thirst and cleanses our bodies; it allows plants to grow and flowers to blossom. Similarly, the Holy Spirit adapts Himself to the needs of every Christian by giving grace to each person as He desires and by revealing His presence through them in a special way for the benefit of the Church. The Holy Spirit makes one person a teacher of truth; inspires another to prophesy; and empowers another to cure illnesses. The Holy Spirit enables one to interpret the scriptures; strengthens another to live a pure life; and teaches another to practice charity. May the all-Holy Spirit, Whose feast we celebrate today, grant us health, peace and every blessing from above. Mr Picardi Orthodox Studies Teacher
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