Green House's Prefect of Spirituality, Ben Howard
From the Director of Mission, Phillip Davis
Last Friday, 12 March, 2017, the Green House Mass was celebrated by College Chaplain Fr Milani. The Readings (1 Cor 12: 4-11 and Matthew 5:13-16) mirrored the theme Strength through Diversity – Let Your Light Shine in Front of Others with Green Prefect of Spirituality, Ben Howard, connecting this message with the Waverley College environment in his Reflection.
Other features of this Mass included the Entry Procession, featuring the new Touchstone Banners, the Gospel Procession, which included symbolic lamps and a ‘bushel basket’ and the Communion Reflection Song Lanterns (Birds of Tokyo). I would like to thank the staff and students responsible for their organisation and specific roles during the Mass. Our House Masses now begin at 8.20 am which gives parents an opportunity to attend. All parents are most welcome.
Please note that the Conlon House Mass (postponed from 24 March) will take place this Friday, 19 May.
A Reflection from Ben Howard, Green’s Prefect of Spirituality, is below:
“Strength Through Diversity – Let Your Light Shine in Front of Others”
That is the theme of this morning’s Mass. So, what does it mean?
Strength Through Diversity means that as a whole, we can become stronger by combining our differences, and as an individual, it means that we can express our qualities. It’s a way to say that we should accept those with differences, and promote the right for individuals to be unique.
As you look to the front it is no more than a basket that is covering the candles that lie beneath it, but really it’s much more. The candles are really your very self that is stuck beneath this cage, known as the status quo.
For a Waverley boy to be a talented singer or dancer sometimes attracts jokes and teasing by the rest of the student population. However, if that very person a few years later was a world-renowned actor and artist you wouldn’t tell others of his ridiculous actions to sing in front 1500 boys but rather be proud of a fellow Waverlian that had done so well for himself. So why does someone have to really make it for us to let his or her light shine?
E Pluribus Unum – Strength in Unity – Green’s motto. It indicates that through a common cause, if we all work together, we can achieve it. For those with talents hidden from those around, embrace the very thing that makes you unique. Whether it’s on the sporting field, academically, artistically or through Music and Drama.
It’s a hard task to break the norm in order for you to show your own talents. However, it’s a stepping stone to a more content life and one with less regrets: “‘You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works”. Basically, the Gospel states that every person, no matter what race, gender, sex or religion, is able to contribute to the greater good with their own unique abilities. We have everything at Waverley; the most important of these are opportunities to express strength and individuality.
As we have Mother’s Day this Sunday, we attempt to show our thanks, as our mothers are always willing to let our light shine no matter what. That’s why, as we head to Mother’s Day, we must recognise their tireless efforts to ensure we are loved, cared for and shine the brightest we can.
Thank you.
