As reported earlier this year, a group of primary school teachers from across the diocese studied Scripture in Israel from 24 June until 9 July 2023. They were the recipients of the Sion Scholarship, an initiative of the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education since 2005. The course they attended is run by the Sion Sisters at the Centre of Biblical Formation situated at Ecce Homo Convent in Jerusalem. After their return, Alison Phillips, Sue Rickwood, and Annette Tanner provided reflections on this experience.
Alison Phillips, Deputy Principal, St Gabriel’s Primary School Traralgon
Earlier this year I was fortunate to be granted a scholarship through the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited which provided the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land and participate in a program of study with The Gospel of Mark.
I walked in the footsteps of Jesus; I followed the Walk of the Cross along Via Dolorosa, where Jesus walked enroute to be crucified, and prayed at each Station of the cross; I touched the stone in the church of the Holy Sepulchre upon which Jesus is said to have been crucified; I walked through the Garden of Gethsemane; and I prayed at a 1st Century synagogue in Magdala where Jesus would have taught and prayed.
I read Scripture in the setting in which it was lived out; Whilst floating in a boat on the Sea of Galilee I read about Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41); Sitting on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, I read of Jesus’ lament over the destruction of the Temple (Mark 13:1-8); and I stood in the wind on the Mount of Beatitudes and read Jesus’ teaching about what it means to live as a child of God's kingdom (Matthew 5:3-12).
It is certainly true that I now experience scripture quite differently, finding myself picturing the mountain, or the sea or the landscape referred to in the text in vivid detail.
The experience of participating in the Centre for Biblical Formation’s Gospel of Mark program in the Holy Land was all of these things that I had so eagerly anticipated. But it was also so much more!
There were moments during the experience when I truly felt God’s hand at work in my life. Praying and engaging with the Gospel of Mark, with a group of people from many different walks of life but who, like me, are all people of faith and eager to explore the messages contained in Mark’s words, I came to understand that it was no accident that God had brought this group of people together in this place at this time. God had a plan for each of us to bring, and to take from each other, some meaning, some learning or some inspiration. In my interactions with this group of amazing people, I felt the pull of the Holy Spirit calling me to be more, to do more, to step out of my comfort zone in order to be the presence of God in the world.
It also happened to be that I found myself in the Holy Land at a time when a close family member was suffering with and being treated for a serious illness. I lit a candle and said a prayer for this family member in every church I visited – and there were many!! In sharing this concern with some members of our group, one of them said to me, “God has brought you here for a reason!”. I experienced in that moment a profound feeling of gratitude and comfort. I was humbled that in my moment of need, God had chosen to draw me near – to bring me to this most holy of places where I was able to sense God’s presence so fully and completely.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited for offering the Sion Scholarship which provided me with this once-in-a-lifetime experience and to all those who worked to make the trip possible.
Annette Tanner St Patrick’s Primary School, Pakenham.
Awe-inspiring, Faith-enriching, Life-transforming. That’s how I would describe my pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Prior to the trip, I was part of zoom meetings as well as meetings in person to prepare us. I felt that all was in place for us to have a truly memorable time. Previous participants had spoken highly of their experiences so I knew that I was in for something very special.
However, nothing could have prepared me for what the trip had in store.
The text – Mark’s Gospel,
the setting – Jerusalem
and the people – Jewish, Muslim and Christian aligned themselves perfectly to present to me a gift.
A sacramental gift.
A gift through which I experienced the transforming love of God.
A gift that fed my faith.
A gift that elevated me to an enhanced state of grace.
There were several key moments …whether it was sitting in the Garden of Gethsemane and pondering on the anguish and desperation that Jesus must have felt on the night before his crucifixion;
Or meditating at the larger than life size mural of a hand reaching out to touch the cloak of Jesus – a symbol of absolute and complete faith in his healing powers;
Or slowly sliding into the warm waters of the Sea of Galilee and experiencing a ‘born again Christian’ Baptism…
The intoxicating mix of lectures, field experiences and guided tours amid the intricate political landscape that is Israel gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity to revive and recharge my faith and experience a personal invitation to continue to spread the Good News with renewed passion.
A heartfelt acknowledgement to the Diocese of Sale for their support in equipping their staff to make disciples for Christ. It is a true testament to the importance they place in nurturing and empowering the community to share the message of love and redemption.
Travelling to Jerusalem to study the Gospel of Mark was everything that I could have hoped for plus so much more. Before I left for my journey I wanted to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and I certainly had the opportunity to do that. What I found most powerful was to learn about the country, the people and the Jewish rituals and then study the scripture through these lenses - this allowed me to gain a much deeper understanding of the text. There were many opportunities to experience the places where Jesus spent his ministry, deepening both my knowledge and my faith. I will never read the scripture in the same way as I did before my trip: I have been to many of these places, walked many of the paths and understand the land that they took place on.
Such an amazing experience - I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to attend.
