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Specifically, a Catholic Mass have many purposes to connect to God. Some of which are to connect to God through actions, words and gestures, a time to listen and respond to God’s words as well as to share and celebrate our faith. At Mount Alvernia College, we gather as one community to give thanks. “Walking” through the steps of the catholic mass my spirituality connects more to the community aspects. These aspects are embraced through the Introductory Rite, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.

From the Introductory rites I always appreciate the element when lighting of the college and house candles occurs. This signifies that we are now in the hands of God and that our journey through life begins. For me personally it resembles the minute you’re born. This gesture signifies that there will always be family and friends for support as I begin my walk into the journey of life.

In the Liturgy of the Word, the priest typically allows God to connect with our hearts and minds. This signifies that God does surrounds us throughout life. For this part of the mass I don’t personally feel I have a true connection. I am still contemplating the true spiritual meaning of whether to believe in God or not. I find it difficult to relateto this part of the Mass. I would like to connect more deeply with the significance of the words used. I believe my meaning of spirituality is more defined as a community gathering and the ability to connecting as one together.

During the Liturgy of the Eucharist the congregation is to open our lives in with Christ. This represents in having the blood, bread and wine of Christ we will now share is humanity throughout our daily life. This process of the Liturgy doesn’t make me feel connect with God. I believe that to have a true connection you would have a clear vision of your belief.

To symbolize the end of the mass the priest starts the concluding rites. These serve the purpose of

letting the people feel at one with their God. As mass concludes it is meant to leave the congregation feeling refreshed and at ease with themselves and others.  I always feel a connection with this part of the mass. I feel it brings everyone together it has a sense of purpose when leaving the room, a true sense of direction to help lead us through the right path in life.

Overall the Catholic Mass represents coming together as one with God.  I personally feel I mostly am connected to the community aspects of the Mass. I feel I have a spiritual journey that helps me to connect with my community. I enjoy the social aspects that this brings. I feel humble to have the opportunity to feel at one with my peers, friends & spiritual family.

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Rituals are characterised in many different ways all over the world. For example; meditation, yoga, labyrinth, reading etc. Each individual practice embodies personal beliefs and ethics according to the perspectives of life and society. To express my meaning of journey through my spirituality a labyrinth is a practice which represents wholeness, healing and inclusions. A labyrinth is used to assist us in finding the true meaning of ourselves such as peace, stress, decision making, self-exploration and reflection. Walking the labyrinth stress is defined by leaving all you back thoughts behind during the journey to the middle making peace within ourselves once we have entered the middle. But the labyrinth also helps assist in examining goals, talents and abilities and making decisions both personally and professionally. But for many alone it can be seen for different reasons. Personally, a labyrinth to me is another practice meaning life’s journey. A journey of the thoughts deepest within yourself so you can come back to the world with a clear mind and a genuine understanding of yourself once you have entered the path to the centre and back out. In walking the labyrinth, it creates a scared space and allows you to think logically, sequentially and analytically.

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Artwork expresses an idea or feeling or simply to be beautiful. This artwork by Maria Ryan ‘Gliders’ is a reassuring piece of artwork. Through this artwork it captures a family of Loggerhead Sea Turtles supporting each other while gliding through the ocean waters giving them a sense of direction through their way of life. On the turtles shell they have a splash of different colours representing how every turtle is different. To resemble my spirituality, this artwork tells a story through the way of life. Every human in the world is different, life takes you to places that are unexpected but there are always people such as family and friends to support you. This has shown that no matter who or where you are there will always be people to help you out like at a job, sport and school. Personally, an experience happened in my life when moving to another association for basketball. In this experience I was nervous and anxious but everyone at the club made me feel at home motivating me to work hard and be determined to make a future out of basketball. Through my definition of spirituality this artwork has shown the meaning of journey and how life can take you in a certain direction for a reason.

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The primary purpose of a prayer is not to change beliefs and values but to simply to change the way us humans think. For example; a prayer for strength and peace, health and wellbeing or just to speak to God. As a part of my spiritual meaning of journey, a prayer ‘One Prayer for Direction’ has elevated my mind and heart to knowledge greater confidence of God in pointing me in the right direction through life.

O Lord,

You are the light that guides my feet.
You are the map that gives me direction.
You are the peace that makes me strong.
You are the leader whom I faithfully follow.

May your light illuminate my life
And your guidance bring direction.
May I find inspiration in your word
And peace in my heart as I follow you.

Amen.

This prayer has expressed that whatever you believe someone will help guide your feet to the direction that makes you strong and at peace within in your own heart. For myself, this prayer has expressed the gratitude that you only live life once. Throughout the journey of life, let your spiritual beliefs guide you to grow as a leader and be strong and determined in everything you accomplish and believe. Reading a prayer, creates a scared space of communication between you and God, opening your hearts and expressing your true feelings to allow guidance within your life.

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To connect to my spirituality, scripture passages enable connection within yourselves. For example, Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. “and Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day”. These scripture passages have expressed my meaning of spirituality. Through the words from Psalm 16:11 conveys a meaning of living life gratefully and being adventurist, openings will occur to pursue your dream. On the other hand, the passage written by Proverbs has reinforced trust and determination of each step you take will get brighter and brighter until you reach your goal. Scripture passages has enhanced my meaning spirituality through traditions, which occur in everyday life.

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To me spirituality is a connection within yourself about moral values, beliefs and attitudes towards your life journey. Spirituality in my life helps me to give a sense of clear direction in my life choices. Having purpose in life will help have connections within relationships, achieve goals and continuing traditions that have meaning to me. These traditions can include Christmas, my birthday, Easter and sport has endured my faith in the meaning of spirituality.  Not having a clear belief in God, religion has shown a community aspect making my definition of spirituality more clear.

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Throughout the song ‘Que Sera’ by Justice Crew it is evident that the songs message represents; whatever will be, will be. The lyrics are used to express the nature of life as a human. In life you will have your own beliefs, values and attitudes the give you a pathway through life. Specifically, behind these lyrics true values like passion, trust, compassion and joy are used simply to keep you motivated and strive for whatever the future holds for you. Throughout the song this has been captured through meaning in the lyrics.A phrase that captures this meaning is “At the end of the day. Some you win, some you don’t. So I’m glad that I’m here. With some friends that I know. Always there with a smile. Saying you’re not alone”. These lyrics justify the way of life as a human. They represent that there will always be good and bad qualities but you have to keep moving and the support of family and friends will always be there.

In my life this song is very special to me. Before each basketball game, I listen to this song to give me motivation. To never give up, you not always going to win all the games but you won’t know until you try. Be confident within yourself, have fun and be strong on the court. Whatever the outcome is, put the past behind, work hard and see what the future holds. No matter what happens family and friends are always there to support you.

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Justice Crew - Que Sera (Australian Version)