Religious Education
Faith is a Vision that eyes cannot see but the heart can feel.
Gospel Reading
Mark 10:46-52
Jesus restores sight to the blind man, Bartimaeus
We can be very persistent with our parents, especially when we want something from them. We do this because we know how much our parents love us and they want us to be happy.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that we can be persistent about bringing our needs to him. Let’s learn what happened when a man named Bartimaeus brought his need to Jesus.
Bartimaeus didn’t stop asking Jesus for help. He had faith in Jesus. Jesus told Bartimaeus that his faith had saved him. God wants us to have so much faith in him that we do not let anyone else stop us from praying to him. We can pray for God’s help whenever we need to and as many times as we need to. God is always with us. He loves us, and he wants to help us.
PRAYERS FOR PEACE
Pope Francis has declared Friday 25 October as a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace in our world. He has invited all Christians, members of other religions and all who hold the cause of peace in the world at heart to participate.
Peace throughout the World
God of Peace,
Watch over the people who have been forced to flee their homes and face violence and fear. Lead them to a place of safety, comfort those who grieve and bring healing to those in pain.
Lord, send us the gift of peace.
Convert the hearts of those who commit violence and wage war. Turn them away from persecution towards peace. Turn hatred to understanding, and anger to compassion. Through your love, transform horror into hope.
Lord, send us the gift of peace.
And fill us all with your Spirit so that with one voice, throughout the world, we may cry out:
Lord, send us the gift of peace.
Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Amen
Diwali: Festival of Lights
Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning “row of lights.”
It marks the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil.
While Diwali is a Hindu festival, there are certain common themes and values shared with Catholicism.
Light Over Darkness
- Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. In the Hindu faith, the lighting of lamps (diyas) symbolizes dispelling darkness and bringing hope.
- In Catholicism, light is a powerful symbol as well. Jesus Christ is referred to as the "Light of the World" (John 8:12), and believers are called to walk in His light, choosing goodness, truth, and love over evil and sin. Both traditions recognize light as a sign of divine presence and guidance.
While Diwali and the Catholic faith originate from different religious traditions, they share themes of light, renewal, thankfulness, family, hope, prayer, and charity. These common values allow for interfaith dialogue and mutual respect, as both traditions celebrate the goodness that overcomes darkness, both spiritually and practically.
Grade 3-4 L students have been learning about the Holy Spirit
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is part of God, just like God the Father and Jesus the Son. Together, they make up the Holy Trinity—three persons in one God. The Holy Spirit is like a special helper that God sent to guide us and be with us every day.
Why is the Holy Spirit Important?
The Holy Spirit helps us stay close to God and teaches us how to live in a way that makes God happy. It’s like having God’s love inside us all the time, helping us to be the best version of ourselves.Showcasing some of the Grade 3-4 L students' understanding of the Holy Spirit
Blessings,
Iris DeVisser
Learning and Teaching Leader & Religious Education Leader