Catholic Identity

Creator God, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, as we walk together on your path of love, hope and faith.

Thank you for the gifts of our school, 

our environment, our families and friends.

May our school be a place of learning, care, welcome and celebration.

Mary our Mother, pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross, pray for us. 

Amen

On Sunday’s readings from Mass were from  Jeremiah 23:1-6, Ephesians 2:13-18, and Mark 6:30-34 These passages highlight God's care, guidance, and reconciliation.

Jeremiah condemns the leaders of Israel for failing to shepherd the people rightly. God promises to raise up a righteous leader from David's line, which Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus.

When Paul was writing a letter to the  Ephesians he was speaking out about the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles through Christ, who is our peace. Jesus breaks down barriers and unites different groups into one body, granting access to the Father by one Spirit.

Then in Mark 6:30-34 we hear Jesus, seeing the crowd as sheep without a shepherd, shows compassion and begins to teach them, demonstrating His role as the true shepherd.

These scripture Passages are Connecting in the following ways:

1. Leadership and Compassion: Jesus fulfills the promise of a righteous shepherd from Jeremiah by showing compassion and teaching in Mark.
2. Reconciliation and Unity: Ephesians expands on Jesus's role by highlighting His work in reconciling and uniting different groups.
3. Provision and Peace: Jesus’s provision of teaching and rest in Mark mirrors the peace and reconciliation described in Ephesians.

These scriptures reveal God as a compassionate and righteous leader who provides, cares, and unites His people. Reflecting on these passages inspires us to seek Jesus's guidance, embrace His peace, and work towards unity within the body of Christ.

NAIDOC Week and Global Issues

Heavenly Father,

As we gather to celebrate NAIDOC Week at St Mary’s, we give thanks for the rich heritage, culture, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We ask for your blessing on all communities, that we may walk together in harmony and respect.

Lord, we lift up families facing challenges with the rising cost of living. Grant them your provision and wisdom to navigate these difficult times. Strengthen relationships within families, fostering love, understanding, and support for one another.

We also pray for our nation and the world, facing various global issues. Guide our leaders to make decisions that promote peace, justice, and unity everywhere. Help us to come together as one people, reflecting the compassion and care shown by Jesus in the scriptures.

In our daily lives, may we seek your guidance, embrace your peace, and work towards unity and reconciliation. Let your Spirit move in us, drawing us closer to you and to each other.

In Jesus' name, we pray.  

Amen