Our Faith - Religion - Prayer
St Patrick's Church Walcha
For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Fr Anthony Koppman 67772129.
Fr Anthony would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.
Scripture Reading
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection
By Damien Roff - System Performance Leader Armidale Catholic Schools
In this familiar passage, we find ourselves in the midst of a seemingly ordinary scene: Jesus visiting the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. On this feast day of St. Lawrence, we might initially wonder what connection this Gospel has to his life of service and martyrdom. Yet, as we delve deeper, we discover profound truths that resonate deeply with our vocation as educators and with the spirit of St. Lawrence.
Martha, busy with the practicalities of hospitality, feels overwhelmed and perhaps even resentful of Mary, who sits attentively at Jesus' feet, listening to his words. How often do we, in our own lives and in the demanding world of education, feel like Martha? The curriculum to plan, the assessments to prepare, the diverse needs of our students to meet – the list can feel endless, leaving us feeling stretched and perhaps even a little anxious. We might find ourselves wishing for more time, more resources, or even just a moment of quiet.
Mary, on the other hand, chooses to prioritise listening to Jesus. She recognises the value of being present, of absorbing wisdom and truth directly from the source. In the context of our curriculum planning day, Mary's posture invites us to pause, to listen deeply to the needs of our students, to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and to the wisdom we can glean from one another.
Jesus' gentle yet firm response to Martha is not a condemnation of service, but a call to balance. He reminds her that while hospitality and practicalities are important, there is a "better portion" – a deeper need for connection, for learning, for spiritual nourishment. This "better portion" is not meant to negate our work, but rather to inform and inspire it.
Just as Mary chose to listen, St. Lawrence exemplified a different kind of service – one rooted in profound faith and a deep understanding of the true treasures of the Church. When asked by the Roman prefect to produce the treasures of the Church, Lawrence famously presented the poor, the sick, the marginalised – those whom the world often overlooks. His service flowed from a heart attuned to the Gospel, a heart that recognised the inherent dignity of every person.
As we embark on Term 3, we remember that students and their families are at the core of our daily work. We are also mindful of the importance of balance in all our lives.
Sacrament Dates for 2025
2025 First Reconciliation: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Years 2 and 3 for Friday 24th October 2025.
2025 Confirmation: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Years 5 and 6 for Sunday 21st September 2025.
Catherine McAuley
Catherine’s spirituality was centred on the mercy of God…prayer in action…action in prayer.