Education in Faith

YEAR 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

I would like to say a big thank you to all the Year 5/6 students who volunteered to be part of the Mini Vinnies this year. 

We have 54 students in total. So many, that I have had to separate them into 2 groups this year. It never ceases to amaze me how many students are willing to give up their lunchtime in order to help others in need. A truly remarkable effort from our Seniors this year and I would like to congratulate them for their enthusiasm and compassion towards others. 

Later this term we will have a commitment ceremony for the Mini Vinnies where they will make their commitment pledge and receive their badge.

This week as part of Lent, Mini Vinnies have launched the Project Compassion. The theme this year is ‘For All Future Generations’. There will be a story each week that will show how the money we raise will help others in need, not only overseas but within our own country. 

The first story this week introduces Project Compassion and this year’s theme: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjFHiZOA_rU&list=PLVHHKQym6_WNMuxkSPW9RWN38Sxz6cF9a&index=13

We also then have ANATERCIA’S STORY (MOZAMBIQUE, AFRICA) and how Project Compassion has helped her community. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1UWEKHP5YI&list=PLVHHKQym6_WNMuxkSPW9RWN38Sxz6cF9a&index=1

A reminder that the donations for Project Compassion will begin our House competition for the House Community Spirit Award Shield. This shield is awarded to the House that demonstrates community spirit through helping others. In each Learning Space and at the school office, Mini Vinnies have places Project Compassion boxes for each House. 

So there are 4 boxes, decorated in House colours:

MacKillop (yellow)

Teresa (blue)

Bosco (red)

Patrick (green)

Each week Mini Vinnies will collect the boxes and count the money in each box and then let students, staff and parents know through Morning Gathering and the newsletter the amount donated by each House. Parents if you visit the office you are most welcome to donate to your child’s house in the boxes located up in the office.              

Families that would like a Project Compassion box for home are most welcome to come and collect one from the office. They will need to be returned before the end of this term and make sure you let us know what House the money is going towards.

As always a big thank you for your support,

Giuliana and Grade 5/6 Mini Vinnies

First Sunday in Lent- Year C 

Jesus fasts for 40 days in the desert and is tempted

Each year, at the beginning of Lent, we hear the story of the devil tempting Jesus in the desert. This year we hear Luke's version of Jesus' temptation in the desert. Jesus is reported to have spent forty days in the desert, fasting and praying. 

Following his baptism, Jesus went out into the desert for forty days during which time he ate nothing. Knowing that Jesus would be hungry, the devil tempted him to turn a stone into bread. When Jesus did not, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the earth, promising Jesus all the glory and power of them if Jesus would worship the devil. Again, Jesus refused. Finally, Satan took Jesus to the top of the temple in Jerusalem and told him to jump because God's angels would save him. 

The devil tempts Jesus to use his power to appease his hunger, he offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him, and he tempts Jesus to put God's promise of protection to the test. In each case, Jesus resists, citing words from Scripture to rebuke the devil's temptation. Jesus refused each of the three temptations by quoting scripture from the book of Deuteronomy thus making clear his obedience to God.

Each temptation that Jesus faces offers insight into the spirituality we hope to develop as we keep the central themes the forty days of this Season of Lent. We are dependent upon God for all that we have and all that we are. Anything that leads us to reject this or to distrust its sufficiency is a temptation from the devil.

Luke ends his report of Jesus' temptation in the desert by noting that the devil departs for a time. The implication is that the devil will return. Jesus knows that he will be tempted again in the Garden of Gethsemane. The depth of Jesus' trust in God is shown most fully when Jesus rejects the temptation to turn away from the task God has given to him. Jesus' final rebuke of the devil is his sacrifice on the Cross.

Jesus' responses to the temptations of the devil teach us how we can respond to temptation. As we start our journey through Lent, this Sunday's Gospel calls us to adopt the same confidence that Jesus had in the face of temptation: God's word alone will suffice, God's promise of protection can be trusted, and God alone is God.

We can trust God to provide for our material needs. We worship God because God alone has dominion over us and our world. We can trust God to be faithful to his promises. Jesus' rejection of the devil's temptations shows that he will not put God to the test. Grounding himself on the Word and authority of Scripture, Jesus rebukes the devil by his confidence in God's protection and faithfulness.

Bringing the Gospel Into our Family

Now, at the beginning of this Lent, let us make a list of all the temptations each of us might face at home, at school, at work, in the neighborhood. Next to each temptation write down ways we can work together to avoid them. Allow each family member to help one another with suggestions and make a time in each day of Lent to pray for each person as he/she works to resist the temptations he/she faces.

Discussion Starters

1. One thing I've learned from Jesus about temptation is ...

2. Taking some "desert" time in my life would help me ...

3. The best way for me to avoid temptation is to ...

Sacramental News and Dates

Please note the following dates could change due to Covid -19 restrictions.

Sacrament Levy

There is a $15 Sacrament Levy to cover the cost for:

•  a guest speaker to conduct a Parent and Child Workshop for each Sacrament.
• professionally made stoles. 
• a candle for children receiving reconciliation.
• children receiving First Eucharist and Confirmation to travel to St. Kevin’s Church for Reconciliation, Eucharist practice, and reflection day by bus.

This levy needs to be paid in full to the school in an envelope clearly indicating your child’s name, Home Group and name of Sacrament being received before or on the day of your Family Workshop Session.

God Bless

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au