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.

Lent - Pope Francis' message for Lent 2021. 

In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. At the Easter vigil, we will renew our baptismal promises and experience rebirth as new men and women by the working of the Holy Spirit. This Lenten journey, like the entire pilgrimage of the Christian life, is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of Christ.

Meditation for Lent 

Jesus survives forty days living in the dry, uninhabitable and parched sands of the desert. Out of great hardship, hunger and thirst,

Jesus comes to announce a time of abundance. He points to the dawn of a new age. Jesus invites me to flourish in God’s presence, in God’s kingdom, in God’s time. This invitation to come fully alive begins with a turning towards God. I ask Jesus to give me a fresh perspective;

 to enliven me with gladness;

to lead me away from despair;

to prepare me to glorify God.

When Jesus says the kingdom of God is at hand he is assuring me that a new age has dawned. I ask for the grace:

to begin anew with the Lord;

to discover again my dignity as a child of God;

to realise the many ways I am capable of generosity, love and compassion;

to find a new peace in an awareness of God’s presence;

to see how I am made new by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

I spend time with Jesus so that he may help me:

to believe in the gospel;

to live by his light;

to love others in freedom;

to bring his peace to the world.

CARITAS

Every year, catholic schools across Australia participate in Project Compassion. This week your child will be bringing home a project compassion Box. This is a time to help those less fortunate then ourselves. For your information here is a link to the website that gives the background story of this organisation and the excellent work that they do. https://lent.caritas.org.au/students 

Sacrament Dates for 2021

2021 First Reconciliation Date has been set for our Catholic students in Year 2  for Friday 5th November 2021

2021 Confirmation Date has been set for our Catholic students in Year 5/6 for Sunday 22nd August 2021.

Monday 24 May 2021

CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820. The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony. 

The official launch of the celebrations will be held in the week commencing 22 – 26 February 2021 and will involve local state, territory and diocesan events.  A National Mass will also be celebrated in every state, territory and diocese on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians on 24 May 2021. 

https://200years.catholic.edu.au/about/

Catherine McAuley

A community in which this universal charity reigns is ... capable of surmounting all difficulties.