Catholic Identity  

St. Kilian's Feast Day – Celebrating Our Story 

On Thursday 16 July, we will come together as a school community to celebrate St. Kilian's Feast Day. 

Feast Day is a special opportunity for us to celebrate the rich history, faith and community that make St. Kilian's such a special place. Named after St. Kilian, an Irish missionary known for his courage, faith and commitment to sharing God's love, our school and parish have been at the heart of Catholic education and faith in Bendigo for generations. 

As we gather to celebrate, we honour the many students, families, staff, clergy and parishioners who have helped shape the St. Kilian's story over more than 150 years. We also celebrate the community we are today and the important role each of us plays in continuing that legacy for future generations. 

Families are warmly invited to join us for our Feast Day Mass at 9:15am in St. Kilian's Church. Following Mass, parents, carers, grandparents and family members are invited to stay for a morning tea. This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together, connect with other families and reflect on what makes our St. Kilian's community so special. 

Feast Day Schedule 

We look forward to celebrating this special day together and giving thanks for the faith, learning and community that continue to make St. Kilian's a place where all can flourish. 

Gospel Reflection 

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Summary  

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are expectations to meet, decisions to make, people to care for, and challenges that can leave us feeling uncertain or anxious.

In the middle of all that noise, today's Gospel offers a simple but powerful reminder: God knows us, God sees us, and God is with us. 

Jesus speaks to his disciples as they prepare to face difficulties and uncertainty. He encourages them not to be ruled by fear, but to trust in God's love and care. Before we listen to the Gospel, take a moment to slow down and remember that you do not walk alone. The God who created you knows every detail of your life and holds you with love. 

Scripture – Matthew 10:26-33 

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: 

'Do not be afraid. For everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. 

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops. 

'Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. 

Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. 

Why, every hair on your head has been counted. 

So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows. 

'So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. 

But the one who disowns me in the presence of human beings, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.' 

Reflection 

One phrase appears again and again in this Gospel: 

"Do not be afraid." 

Jesus knows that fear can stop us from being the people we are called to be. Fear can keep us silent when we should speak, hold us back when we should step forward, and cause us to doubt our own worth. 

To help us overcome that fear, Jesus points to something beautiful. He tells us that God notices even the smallest sparrow. If God cares for something as small as a sparrow, how much more does God care for us? 

In fact, Jesus says that God knows us so well that even the hairs on our heads are counted. This is not meant to be taken literally as a maths exercise; it is a way of saying that God knows every part of our lives. Our joys, struggles, hopes, worries, successes, and failures are all known and loved by God. 

For those of us working in schools, families, parishes, and communities, this can be a comforting reminder. We often carry responsibilities that others never see. We worry about getting things right, supporting others, and managing the demands of daily life. 

Today's Gospel reminds us that our value does not come from how much we achieve or how perfectly we perform. Our value comes from being loved by God. 

And because we are loved, we can live with courage rather than fear.  

• What is something that has been weighing on my mind lately?  
• Where do I find myself acting out of fear rather than trust?  
• Do I believe that God knows and cares about what I am carrying?  
• What would change if I truly believed that I am deeply valued by God?  
• How can I bring a little more courage, hope, or faith into my life this week?  
• Who around me might need to hear the message that they are known, loved, and valued? 

Prayer 

Loving God, 

In the busyness of life, it is easy to become overwhelmed by worry, uncertainty, and fear. 

Today, remind us that we are known by You. Remind us that we are loved by You. Remind us that we are never alone. 

Help us to trust that You see the challenges we face, the responsibilities we carry, and the hopes we hold in our hearts. 

When fear begins to take hold, give us courage. When we doubt our worth, remind us that we are precious in Your sight. When life feels overwhelming, help us to rest in Your presence. 

May we live each day with confidence in Your love and share that same love with those around us. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen

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.