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Listen for God's Heartbeat
ST MONICA'S COLLEGE THEME 2011
The 2011 College Theme is based on Celtic Spirituality and challenges all Monicans to be attentive to God in their life, in their world and in the universe. The College Theme for 2011 is ‘Listen for God’s Heartbeat’. This theme is deeply reflective.
Monicans will be called to be attentive to God through prayerful listening. The heartbeat of God throbs ever so gently at times; it thunders and shakes in other circumstances. The gentle heartbeat that is carried on a breeze is so different to the vigorous heartbeat that thunders and shakes during a storm. The heartbeat of God is present in the quiet spoken word: it is equally present in the shouting of joyous praise.
In 2011 Monicans will discover the goodness and the kindness and the compassion of God who listens to our needs. Monicans will be invited to understand that God is present in nature, our beautiful and fragile environment, over which we have stewardship.
This theme should enliven our imagination. It will take a certain freeing of self to actually hear the heartbeat of God. There will be no room for cynicism when called to closely listen for God’s heartbeat. It will surely take a certain form of mysticism and daring to listen for God’s heartbeat in 2011. The ancient Celts possessed those gifts.
The theme will be fully understood through attentive prayer and perseverance, our College’s motto. Through constant reflection and prayer the beating of God’s heart may be heard in different places, at different times. So truly, this theme will call for the mystic within us to emerge. It calls Monicans to perceive and ponder the rhythms of their life.
Spiritually, listening is action and stillness at the same time. We might fail to listen to and experience God in our life because we do not seek God purposefully or are too busy for God. Monicans will be encouraged to listen to God’s Word through Scripture and through that Word to listen more carefully for the heartbeat of God. In listening actively and then in silence, Monicans of all ages may find God in new and fresh ways.
The 2011 theme is not for the faint of heart; or those who deny God’s existence and presence in the modern world; or those with closed and narrow minds. It will be far too exciting and profound for them. It will speak to our inner soul through the sacred and pulsating heartbeat of God that resides in all people and things. If we listen freely and attentively, God’s presence will be intimately felt.
B.E. Hanley
College Principal
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