Homily by Bishop Stu O’Connell – Chanel College Jubilee

Samoan Head of State Tui’atua Tupua Tamasese Mea’ole Ta’isi Efi at the Opening Ceremony

Sunday 10 June 2012

Fale ready for Mass

We conclude our Jubilee celebrations today on this wonderful Church feast of Corpus Christi – the Body of Christ. Saint Paul continually reminds us that WE ARE the Body of Christ. We, the Church, the People of God, are the body of Christ. In these last few days, we have gathered together to renew friendships, to share memories, and to spend time together after many years of separation.

What is it that really binds us together? It is more than just student-teacher friendships of past years. It is our common faith in God – the faith on which our Church, our school, our families are founded. We are all pilgrims on a journey – the journey of life. Our school motto gives us the basic message of life’s journey: Taofi mau le faatuatua – Cling to the faith. Whether we realise it or not, it is this faith which has brought many of us back here in these last few days.

We are companions on a journey. While we all need some solitude in our lives, we also need friends, companions, family, etc. The fact is, we are remarkably dependent on one another. We need other people in our lives – for support, affirmation, encouragement, education, companionship. They nourish and sustain us in a hundred different ways. And, of course, we nourish them also.

Fr Patolo Matiasi sm with Bishop Stuart in his Auckland COBA blazer

We are companions together. The word ‘companion’ has deep meaning. It comes from two Latin words: ‘cum’ which means ‘with’, and ‘panis’, which means ‘bread’. So a companion literally means someone with whom I share bread, or food. It is not everyone you enjoy a meal with. Before you invite someone to a meal there has to be a bond. That bond is deepened by the sharing of food and drink. Over these past few days there has been much re-bonding and sharing anew. May it deepen and grow with the years.

That is why today’s feast is so significant for us today. At the Last Supper, Jesus deepened the sense of bonding with his apostles. Not only was the food to be shared, but  Jesus, at the end of the meal, took bread and wine, and changed them into his body and blood – and told them, “Eat and drink of my Body and Blood and you will live with me forever.” This Eucharist is at the heart of our lives. It transforms us and makes us more like Christ as the years go by and we receive him frequently in Holy Communion.

We NEED Jesus – that is obvious. And we also need one another. We are a community of believers whose common faith strengthens the faith of each individual.

The first Christians supported one another. They forgave each other’s offences, shared their possessions, and fostered the spirit of community. Sharing creates a bond, and bonding leads to sharing. The Eucharist is at the centre of everything. It was this that bound them together and enabled the Apostles and the early Church to offer a loving service to one another.

May our Eucharist continue to bond us ever more strongly in the years ahead.

God bless you all.

Bishop Stu speaks to the pupils

Deputy PM of Samoa Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo (Chanel OB) addressing students on Careers Day