Our Faith - Religion - Prayer

St Patrick's Church Walcha

For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.

Mons Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.

Term 4 Mass Dates

Friday 10th November: Mass at 11.30am

Friday 17th November: Mass at 11.30am

Friday 8th December: End of Year and Year 6 Graduation Mass at 11.30am

Reflection

Tomorrow the Church remembers a modern-day martyr, Franz Jagerstatter who was named Blessed on the 27th October 2007. He was an Austrian farmer, a husband and father, who reflected deeply on the living of the gospel. He was called up for military service in 1942 but refused because he felt that it would be sinful to fight. When he was executed for this, one prison chaplain said, 'I can say with certainty that this simple man is the only saint that I have ever met in my lifetime.'

Franz claimed that the Christian struggle is for the reign of God. No weapons of war are needed for this. By saying no to war and sacrificing his life, he showed himself an outstanding follower of the non-violent Jesus.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

You are the true King of peace.

In You alone is found freedom.

Please free our world from conflict.

Bring unity to troubled nations.

Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart.

Dispel all darkness and evil.

Protect the dignity of every human life.

Replace hatred with Your love.

Give wisdom to world leaders.

Free them from selfish ambition.

Eliminate all violence and war.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

First Reconciliation

Congratulations to Digby, Harriet, Lucy, Phoebe, Adelaide and Teddy who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time last Friday. Thank you to all of the parents and grandparents who celebrated Mass with us as well as staying for our Reconciliation, ceremony, it is very much appreciated from Mons and myself.

Confirmation

On Sunday 5th November there will be five students who will be confirmed at the Parish Mass at 10:30am. Monsignor Ted Wilkes will confirm our five candidates. Please keep the children in your prayers.

As there are only a fortnight before our candidates will be confirmed, a number of items need to be completed before the ceremony. During Mass, the candidate's sponsor will present the Monsignor or myself with a Confirmation Card, which includes information concerning the candidate's baptism, the saint's name they would like to have, and their sponsor's name. Unfortunately, a number of families still haven't provided Mr Hyatt with some details, including the names of sponsors, etc. It would be greatly appreciated, if sponsor names can be provided as soon as possible.

October - the month of the Rosary

Did you know that the month of October is dedicated to Mary, our Lady of the Rosary? The Rosary is often the go-to prayer for groups and families, young children can take turns at leading the Hail Mary and the Lord’s Prayer.

The Rosary is useful for other reasons too:

It suits beginners as well as experienced rosary prayers, since you don’t need to know all the traditional prayers, which can be read out.
There is no creativity involved, no thought required except for a gentle calling to mind of the mystery being prayed.
It is a vocal as well as a mental and contemplative prayer. It can be spoken or sung, it suits people at any level of prayer and who are comfortable with very different ways of praying.
It engages the senses. It includes visual, auditory and tactile elements; the images you call to mind or look at in a booklet or on a screen, or statues, the sounds of the prayers, and the counting off of the beads.

“The rosary is a contemplative and Christ-centred prayer, inseparable from meditation of the Sacred Scripture. It is the prayer of the Christian who advances in the pilgrimage of faith, following Jesus, preceded by Mary,” Pope Benedict XVI.

OCTOBER - World Mission Month

Thank you again and congratulations to all of the children at St Pat's for their wonderful support with Catholic Mission last week. Over $238 was raised through our Crazy Sock and Hair Day as well as Duct Taping the Principal to the wall. The money that we raised will be going to support families in Timor-Leste facing health and wellness challenges.

Sacrament Dates for 2023

2023 Confirmation: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Years 5 and 6 for Sunday 5th November 2023.

Catherine McAuley

Catherine’s spirituality was centred on the mercy of God…prayer in action…action in prayer.