Our Faith - Religion - Prayer
St Patrick's Church Walcha
For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.
Monsignor Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.
Covid-19 restrictions for Mass are in place.
Term 2 Mass Dates
Thursday 26th May: Catholic Schools Week Mass (Armidale) at 11.00am (Years 3-6)
Friday 10th June: Mass at 11.30am
Friday 24th June: Mass-Feast of the Sacred Heart at 11.30am
Reflection
Often I find it very difficult to come up with the exact wording that defines a 'hero'. We all have heroes in our lifetime, no matter who they are that we aspire to be like. But what qualities are needed to become a hero? Do they need to be good at sport? Do they need to be in a comic book or movie? To be a hero do you need some form of superpower? Or is it all of the above? Throughout my lifetime I have had a number of superheroes that I have looked up to but then I began to wonder, can a hero be someone who works behind the scenes and places others before themselves? The two people both are both Australian and gave up their lives for others are definitely heroes in my eyes.
Irene McCormack, a Sister of St Joseph was born in a rural area of Western Australia. After many years teaching in Catholic schools in Australia, Irene went to work with the poor of Peru. On the night of the 21st May, 1991, Irene and four men from the village were murdered by terrorists.
Graham Staines was a Christian missionary from Queensland who worked with lepers in Orissa, India. Around this time in 1999, Graham and his two sons were killed by an anti-Christian gang. After his death, Graham's daughter stated: "I praise God that he has found my father worthy to die for Christ."
Both Graham's and Irene's lives matches the theme for the reading of the day as it encourages us not to respond to hate with more hate, but to be kind, humble and peaceful.
Prayer
Loving and glorious God,
we praise you with Easter joy
because Christ is our redeemer.
Through the eucharist we live with risen life
and share the mission of your son.
Keep us faithful to Jesus
who is always with us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Sacrament Dates for 2022
2022 First Holy Communion Date has been set for our Catholic students in Year 3 for Sunday 19th June 2022.
First Holy Communion
We have five students who will be receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time on Sunday 19th June at St Patrick's Church. The preparation program will commence this upcoming Tuesday 24th May. Our thoughts and prayers are with these students as they develop their understanding and appreciation of how we remember the teachings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ through this sacrament.
Thursday 26 May 2022 Armidale Diocese Catholic Schools Week Deanery Mass
Catholic Schools Week is fast approaching and as part of this celebration of Catholic schools in the Armidale Diocese, all schools in our deanery will be celebrating Mass at the cathedral this upcoming Thursday 26th May commencing at 11.00am. It will be a very busy day indeed as our Years 3-6 Choir will be competing at the Armidale Eisteddfod at 10.15am and straight after that they will be heading to the cathedral to take part in this celebration. Thank you to all of the families who have returned their notes via COMPASS. Please remember, the final day to return the permission slip is by Tuesday 24th May.
Parents and Friends are welcome to attend the Mass in Armidale on Thursday at 11am.
Catherine McAuley
Catherine’s spirituality was centred on the mercy of God…prayer in action…action in prayer.