How I pray: Jane Borg speaks to The Record’s Debbie Warrier.
The most effective time for me to pray is in the morning. I find if I don’t pray then the day gets away from me. I meditate on Scripture, spend time in contemplative prayer and try to get to Mass every day. We have Mass daily at the Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation where I am principal. We also have corporate prayer twice a week together.
We are a Charismatic college so our prayer together often involves music, praise and worship. However, we like to expose students to the variety of prayer available in the Church, so we also pray the Rosary, Divine Office and use Lectio Divinia. There is also a chapel on site and Adoration anytime we want.
The Bible College started in 2005 and we all worked hard to get all our courses fully accredited and the college registered as a nationally recognised training organisation. That we were able to achieve this in twelve months when we had been warned it usually took four or five years was confirmation to us that this college was really God’s work.
We know that if we follow God, whatever He wants will happen. We just need to co-operate.
Catholicism is not a thing of the past. God is alive. He is still touching people’s lives and calling people to something better than the world offers.
Our patron saint is St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of missionaries. We want our students to be missionaries in their community, their parishes, their workplace or wherever they are. We are a vocational college and hence the students get practical skills training in addition to foundational knowledge.
The students learn Scripture, Church doctrine and key teachings, as well as Church history. They also develop skills in communication, small groups, giving talks, evangelisation techniques and apologetics. They can also choose ministry skills in youth, pastoral care or Christian leadership.
Twenty years ago, I was a non-practising Catholic. I stopped going regularly to Mass due to peer pressure. But every now and then I’d feel compelled on a Sunday to go to Mass. I’d go to Church, look at the Cross and just cry. God never let go of me. I had a good job, I had plenty of money and friends but my life was empty. Something was missing.
Then I went with some friends to a Charismatic Mass in Canberra. I walked into this Church and saw the joy on the faces of the people there. I thought, “Wow! Whatever these people have got I want it!” I kept going to that Mass and soon ended up on a youth camp held by the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community.
It was on this camp that I had a personal encounter with Jesus that changed my life. Struggling with how to respond to this encounter, I heard Jesus ask, “Well, what is your answer going to be – yes or no?” I thought, “What have I got to lose? Yes!” It was like a switch flicked on inside of me. I was flooded with joy, peace and God’s unconditional love.
I have never looked back. The emptiness inside of me is gone. I now know the daily battle is not mine alone.
If you have a story to tell please contact
Debbie via debwarrier@hotmail.com