Catholic Identity  

Gospel Reflection 

5th Sunday of Easter 

Summary  

In this Gospel, Gospel of John Jesus speaks to God the Father before His suffering and death. He prays for His disciples — the people who have followed Him, listened to Him, and tried to live His message. Jesus asks God to protect them, guide them, and keep them united in love and faith. 

Jesus reminds us that knowing God is not just about rules or information — it is about relationship, trust, and living a life full of love and purpose. Even in a difficult moment, Jesus thinks about others and prays for them. 

Scripture – John 17:1-11  

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: 

‘Father, the hour has come: 

glorify your Son 

so that your Son may glorify you; 

and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him, 

let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him. 

And eternal life is this: 

to know you, 

the only true God, 

and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 

I have glorified you on earth 

and finished the work that you gave me to do. 

Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me 

with that glory I had with you 

before ever the world was. 

I have made your name known 

to the men you took from the world to give me. 

They were yours and you gave them to me, 

and they have kept your word. 

Now at last they know 

that all you have given me comes indeed from you; 

for I have given them the teaching you gave to me, 

and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you, 

and have believed that it was you who sent me. 

I pray for them; 

I am not praying for the world 

but for those you have given me, 

because they belong to you: 

all I have is yours 

and all you have is mine, 

and in them I am glorified. 

I am not in the world any longer, 

but they are in the world, 

and I am coming to you.’ 

Reflection 

This Gospel gives us a powerful image of Jesus caring deeply for the people around Him. Before facing one of the hardest moments of His life, Jesus stops and prays for His friends. He wants them to feel protected, connected, and loved. 

Sometimes life can feel busy, stressful, or uncertain. We can worry about friendships, family, school, work, or whether we are doing enough. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we are never alone. God knows us, walks with us, and wants us to stay connected to one another. 

Jesus also prays for unity — that people would support each other instead of tearing each other down. That message still matters today. Small actions like kindness, patience, encouragement, forgiveness, and checking in on others help create the kind of community Jesus hoped for. 

This Gospel invites us to think about how we care for the people around us and how we can help others feel safe, included, and valued. 

• Who are the people that support and care for you in life?  
• How do you usually respond when someone is struggling or having a hard day?  
• What helps you feel connected to God or to other people?  
• Are there small ways you could bring more kindness or encouragement to others this week?  
• Jesus prayed for unity and togetherness — what does that look like in your family, classroom, workplace, or community? 

Prayer 

Loving God, Thank You for the example of Jesus, who cared deeply for the people around Him. 

Help us to support one another, show kindness in our words and actions, and be people who bring peace and encouragement to others. 

When life feels busy or difficult, remind us that You are always with us. Help us stay connected to You and to the people who love and care for us. 

May we live with compassion, unity, and hope each day. 

Amen. 

 St. Kilian’s Feast Day – July 16 

We are looking forward to celebrating our St Kilian’s Feast Day on Wednesday July 16! The day will begin with Mass at 9:15am with Fr Junray as we come together in faith and gratitude as a school community. 

Following Mass, students will take part in activities led by Kaboom Kidz Sportz, a program focused on teamwork, participation, inclusion, and fun through engaging games and activities. 

Our Feast Day is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what makes St Kilian’s special — our faith, our relationships, and our strong sense of community. We look forward to a joyful day filled with connection, laughter, and school spirit. 

Class Masses 

Each Friday, one of our classes attends the 12:10pm parish Mass at St Kilian’s Church, with our Pastoral Care Group also attending the First Friday Anointing Mass each month. 

Students are encouraged to actively participate in the Mass through roles such as readers, altar servers, and bringing forward the gifts. These experiences help students grow in confidence and deepen their understanding of the Mass and Catholic traditions. 

This initiative is also a valuable way of continuing to strengthen the connection between our parish and school communities, while encouraging students to take an active role in faith and community life.