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Explanation and Personal Critique of Mount Alvernia College Mass

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Explanation and Personal Critique of Mount Alvernia College Mass

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This opening mass’ purpose is to give thanks and appreciate the gift of education and to acknowledge the wonderful teaching and learning that takes place each day in the classrooms. The education that is available at Mount Alvernia College helps me and other students to reach goals and gain skills that will assist us throughout life and our individual spiritual journey.

The elements of lighting the college and aboriginal Torres Strait Islander candles are then introduced. These elements are significant because it represents a community and coming together as one. These candles symbolise different cultures combining as one community that is Mount Alvernia, which is a very important part of a mass. The Acknowledgement of country, which is read out loud by everyone in the mass, is a way for everyone to say that they respect the Turrbul people as the original owners of the land. This feature is very important to the mass.

During liturgy of the word, Ephesians 3:14-21 is read out loud by a student. This reading explains how we need to grow strong in many different aspects in our life and that God knows that we have strength to do so. This reading of course relates to our education, as we are challenged everyday to try harder and set goals. But this can also relate to our individual beliefs and spirituality as it includes growing and improving yourself as a person “enable your inner selves to grow strong”. The significance of this is that it is a very powerful reading and encourages us to be the best we can be.

I felt connected to this part of the mass due to the message that is given out. This is because I do believe in bettering myself and feeling like I have achieved all I can and have done by very best.

During the liturgy of Eucharist, everyone is presented with the gifts of the bread and wine for the staff. As well as the gifts, the priest also blesses everyone in the room. The blessing that is received can also be a part of spirituality, as people, including myself, may feel very connected to the words that are spoken during the blessing as they are meant to bring people up and help us. I felt particularly moved by the elements of this part as it made me feel renewed and refreshed.

For the end of the ceremony, the priest began the concluding rites. The purpose for these rites was to pray that Mount Alvernia would continue working in Gods mission and remain spreading joy. It is also asking that we live life in response to Gods call and are ready to serve. This is a very special part of the mass to me as it is concluding the time spent together as a community.

Overall, this catholic mass is a great way for my personal spiritual journey to grow and make me a better person

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O my God,
because you are infinite goodness
and worthy of infinite love,
I love you with my whole heart
above all things,
and for love of you
I love my neighbour as myself.
I forgive all who have offended me
and ask pardon of all whom I have offended.

Amen.

This prayer is special and meaningful to me because it is about love and forgiveness. This prayer is asking god for forgiveness for everyone who has been offended and also tells God that he is worthy of infinite love. I feel connected to this because I often ask for forgiveness from people and from God. As well as asking for love from others. It also talks about loving your neighbour as you love yourself. Which means that the love you have for yourself, you must have for someone else. The most meaningful line in this would be “ask for pardon of all whom I have offended’. I believe that this prayer is a good representation of what I believe in and my spiritual journey.

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I believe that meditation is very helpful and beneficial for you. Whether it’s for 5 minutes or 10 minutes, they can all have an impact on your life and the way you live. It is proven way to reduce your stress and calm you down after anything. This meditation shown is just a simple 5-minute one that would be very easy to incorporate into your everyday life. Even for people who say they don’t have enough time, because meditating makes time for you as it will reduce your stress and help you to complete those things that are taking up your time, quicker. I find the best place to meditate is somewhere alone where you feel safe, maybe your bedroom. Once I have completed a meditation I feel very refreshed and clear and much better than I did beforehand. Meditation is a big part of spirituality, because not many people believe in it. But it is a great way to connect with your mind and soul and to put you in the right mindset.

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Luke 6:31

31 Do to others, as you would have them do to you

http://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/6-31.html

I feel that everyone should follow this scripture. This is because its meaning is that you should treat people the way you want to be treated. So therefore, you shouldn’t say mean things about people unless you want mean things said about you. This can sometimes be very hard for people to do because there are bad people in the world who most definitely don’t follow this. I find this meaningful because I do believe in treating others, as you would like to be treated.

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Proverbs 13:12

12 hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/13-12.html

The meaning of this scripture to me, is that hoping for something can make the heart sick, but that longing when its fulfilled, is a part of life. This scripture is meaningful to me because I believe it is necessary to know that having hope may make you feel terrible and sick, but when that hope is fulfilled, you feel satisfactory and revived. I think that is something everyone should know.

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Artists are inspired to create, and that inspiration itself reflects their spirituality. It is a form of communication that conveys the artist’s representation of something (Pressler .D, 2016) . As well as the techniques and the style used, which also are used to communicate the message. This image that I have found, reflects my spirituality. This is because when I look at it, I see the beach, along with nature and love, which to me are two words that describe my spirituality. My whole life I have felt very connected to the beach and it has always been my happy place. This is why I like this artwork and feel very connected to it. To me this image is a great representation of how calm the beach is when the sun is setting. I don’t exactly think there is a meaning to the art piece; it just makes me feel something. And I think that’s what all art is supposed to make you do.

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"Couple Walking on Beach no" by Joe Gemignani

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"Couple Walking on Beach no" by Joe Gemignani: It's just wonderful to be on the beach first thing in the morning, and then you get a shot like this.

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I see Spirituality as quite a broad subject with many different perspectives as to what it is. Generally, it involves the knowledge that something bigger than us exists (God or other) and also includes a search for a meaning in life. Often, people explain a spiritual experience as sacred or even a deep awareness of interconnectedness or aliveness. Some may find their that spiritual life includes them praying or they might find comfort in a personal relationship with God or a higher power. Whereas others link their spirituality with things like nature, art or music. Like everything else, your definition of personality might grow and change throughout your life.

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Music can be a very powerful element of spirituality as it resonates with the human spirit. The significance of particular songs can transcend many cultures and communities (T.S 2010). This is because music still continues to motivate people and spiritual expression as the sound reflects faith and values. This song that I have chosen is very meaningful to me for a few reasons. One of these includes the meaning of it, which to me is basically that sometimes in life, you don’t get what you want, but you end up getting what you need. Which is said throughout the song. The meaning of this song has always been important to me because I feel like everyone needs to know that you can’t always get what you want. Knowing this made me feel a lot better and calm towards life. I discovered this song a couple years ago when watching my favourite movie. Which is another reason I was drawn to it. So spiritually, I feel like I’m connected to this song because I have learnt to use the meaning as my motto.

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The rolling stones-You can't always get what you want

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A VIDEO I MADE WITH PICTURES OF MY FAVORITE BANDS