Faith News
Christ Centred School & Parish Community
St. Augustine's School Prayer
Our Father in Heaven,
Look over and bless St. Augustine’s while we are working and playing.
Help us to respect and care for each other as you taught us to.
Give us the opportunity to do our best for you each day.
We look forward to being able to share our lives with our friends and families.
Keep us safe and give us the courage to be
people who want to know you more.
Amen.
Reflection for the Week
Halloween, All Saints Day & All Souls Day
Yes, Catholics can celebrate Halloween, and its origins are deeply rooted in Catholic tradition as the vigil of All Saints' Day (November 1st). While the Catholic Church doesn't endorse all modern Halloween practices, it encourages celebrating it in a way that reflects its spiritual significance—as All Hallows' Eve—and connects it to the three-day observance of All hallowtide, which includes All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 2nd).
Catholic perspective on Halloween
All Hallows' Eve: The name "Halloween" comes from "All Hallows' Eve," the evening before All Saints' Day, a major feast day honoring all saints, both known and unknown.
All hallowtide: The period from October 31st to November 2nd is known as All hallow tide, a solemn time to reflect on life, death, and eternity. It includes All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, when the faithful pray for the dead.
Spiritual significance: The vigil of All Saints' Day is an opportunity to reflect on the communion of saints, our mortality, and the triumph of Christ over sin and death.
Appropriate celebration for Catholics
Intention matters: Catholics are encouraged to celebrate with the correct intention, focusing on the Catholic meaning of the holy days rather than secular or occult themes.
Mass: Attending Mass on All Saints' Day is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics.
Activities: Activities can include dressing up as saints, having saint-themed parties, and praying for the saints and the faithful departed.
Moderation: When participating in activities like trick-or-treating, moderation and good manners are encouraged, as with any feast or celebration.
Avoidance: The Church advises avoiding or being cautious about celebrating elements that are contrary to the Catholic faith, even though the holiday has Catholic roots.
A Prayer for All Saints Day
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the many and wonderful saints who followed Jesus.
Help us to follow their good examples and remember we are in a big family of faith.
We ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
A Prayer for All Souls Day
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
St. Augustine's Parish Mass Times
Saturday 5.00 pm
Sunday 8.00 am at Annunciation, Brooklyn
9.30 am
10.30 am (Italian)
11.00 am at Corpus Christi, Kingsville
11.30 am (Polish)
Tuesdays 6.00pm
Thursdays 9.15 am
https://www.melbcatholic.org/s/yarraville
Use the above link to access the parish website.
School Mass Roster:
Parish Bulletin:
RCIA