Faith & Wellbeing
WELLBEING
Father’s Day
With Father’s Day this weekend I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk to the Prep’s about their own Fathers and also God the Father.
As Christians we are invited by Jesus to call God “Our Father”. Firstly with the Old Testament we find reference to God as Father (Jeremiah 31:9, Psalm 103v13). Then in the New Testament, Jesus the only Son of God invites us to call God “Our Father” Matt 6:9.
Most of us will be wondering “what do we get our Dad for Fathers day?”. Perhaps it is a new pair of socks, a new bottle of cologne, I’m guessing it will not be a box of handkerchief’s due to the pandemic (but don’t get hand sanitiser!).
But perhaps a good place to start is with God our Father?
Often when we learn to pray we first just ask for things. But Jesus said “I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet. for your body, what you will wear” (Matt 6:25).
Jesus said: “when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matt 6:7).
Perhaps one of the greatest prayer of the Catholic Church was Mother Teresa. She was famous for the saying: “The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace.” Many view these words as the secret to her success in ministry, it was seen as her business card.
So this Father’s Day let's follow the steps Jesus laid out for us. Let us find a quiet place and God the Father will be with us, seeing us. Let us give this time to God the Father, it is the one thing he can not make us do; only we can give him this gift that he longs for. Let us wait in silence for a thought of love for God, for ourselves and in particularly for our biological Father. From this space we will know what to do for our own Fathers.
Happy Father’s Day!
Mr Corey Payton
School Chaplain
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
ST JAMES SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Eucharist Reflection Day and Mass
Over the past term, students at St James had been preparing for the sacrament of Eucharist. Students participated in a reflection day in which they made final preparations to receive the sacrament. A very big thank you to the parents that put on a beautiful lunch for the students to share.
On Saturday the 20th of September, the students received the sacrament of the Eucharist. It was a beautiful occasion and we were very proud of the way in which the students fully opened their hearts to receive the body of Christ.
A very big thank you to Miss Contin, Mrs Busch, Mrs Conway and Miss Corio for all their work in preparing the students. The day would not have been such a success without all the time and effort they put into the sacramental program.
Confirmation
Next term the year 6 students will celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday 17th of November, 6pm at St Joan of Arc Church. Parents and students are invited to a reflection evening on Tuesday 18th of October, 6pm in the Project Space.
Foundation and 1/2 Faith Nights
What a wonderful 2 evenings with our Foundation and 1/2 students and families coming together to learn and celebrate our faith. Thank you to Miss Slater, Mrs Joplin and Mrs Elliott for their support in making these evening possible.
IMPORTANT DATES
Term 4
Confirmation Parent Evening - Tuesday 18th of October at 6pm in the Project Space
All Saints Day Liturgy - Tuesday 1st of November, 10:40am
Confirmation Reflection Day - Friday 4th of November
Sacrament of Confirmation Mass - Thursday 17th of November, St Joan of Arc at 6pm
End of Year School Mass - (TBC)
Graduation Mass - Thursday 15th of December at St Joan of Arc (Time to be confirmed)
SECONDARY ENROLMENTS
If there are any parents that require dates or a letter confirming sacraments, please email eherbert@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au and I will be able to provide that information for you.
Emma Herbert
RE Leader / STEM & Sustainability / Learning Diversity Leader
eherbert@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au
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