Reconciliation

We pray for the students who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation last Friday the 20th of June. We extend our sincere gratitude to Fr. Martin for leading the reverent liturgy and express our appreciation to the parents and families for their presence and support on this special occasion. Thank you also to Mrs. Whatmore, Mr. Anderson and our Year 3 team for their support and effort in preparing our beautiful Sacrament.

JUBILEE YEAR - PILGRIMS OF HOPE

Extract from: https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/giubileo-2025/segni-del-giubileo/riconciliazione.html

A Jubilee year is a sign of reconciliation because it establishes a “favorable time” (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:2) for conversion. We are called to put God at the center of our lives, growing toward Him and acknowledging His primacy. Even the Biblical call for the restoration of social justice and respect for the earth stems from a theological reality: if God is the creator of the universe, He must be given priority over every reality and partisan interest. It is God who makes this year holy by bestowing on us His own holiness. As Pope Francis recalled in the 2015 Bull proclaiming the Extraordinary Holy Year, “Mercy is not opposed to justice but rather expresses God’s way of reaching out to the sinner, offering him a new chance to look at himself, convert, and believe. God’s justice is his mercy given to everyone as a grace that flows from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Cross of Christ is God’s judgement on all of us and on the whole world, because through it he offers us the certainty of love and new life” (Misericordiae Vultus, 21). In practical terms, reconciliation involves receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation, taking advantage of this time to rediscover the value of confession, and experiencing God's personal words of forgiveness. There are some Jubilee churches that stay open continuously to make available the sacrament of Reconciliation.

JUBILEE PLENARY INDULGENCES - Pilgrim places

While indulgences do not absolve us of sin—that is for the sacrament of Reconciliation—they do orient our hearts towards God and free us to continue the journey to heavenly glory unhindered. There is a mysterious interior renewal that takes place. Just taking the time out of your day to visit a Pilgrim Place is an occasion to receive the Jubilee indulgence.

The Jubilee Indulgence is a concrete manifestation of God's mercy, which allows us to free our hearts from the weight of sin because the reparation due for our sins is given freely and abundantly.

To obtain the Jubilee plenary indulgence, either during, before or within a short time after your visit to a Pilgrim Place, you are required to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, be refreshed by Holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father with at least an Our Father and a Hail Mary.

VISIT LOCAL PILGRIM PLACES

Pilgrim Places across the Archdiocese of Melbourne will offer extended hours, additional Masses, Reconciliation, and Adoration. Pilgrims will receive a commemorative postcard, monthly reflections, and a Pilgrim Passport (available for a small donation) to be stamped at each location. Local Pilgrim Places will welcome visitors from February 2025 to 6 January 2026.

For locations of Pilgrim Places go to: https://melbournecatholic.org/connect/jubilee/pilgrim-places/

A Gospel Reflection on Forgiveness:

Matthew 18:21-19:1 NRSVue

21Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, 25and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’

29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.

1When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

- New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

REFLECTION:

Jesus points out that forgiveness knows no limit. The inability to forgive those who have offended us can be corrosive and the harbouring of hurts destructive. Are there people you can’t forgive? If so, devote time to pray for the ability to do so, and linger over the phrase in the ‘Our Father’: ‘forgive us our trespasses, as we also have forgive those who trespass against us’. (Matthew 6:12).

Term 3 Eucharist

Next term students in Year 4 will be receiving their Sacrament of Eucharist on Saturday the 6th of September at 2:30pm (TBC).

As part of the RE Curriculum, students have been provided with a Eucharist workbook in preperation for the Sacrament.

If there are any families from other year levels with a child who missed out their Eucharist last year and would like their child to join our Year 4s for the Sacrament, please kindly contaact me via email.

IMPORTANT NOTE - BAPTISMAL CERTICATES:

For your child to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist, your child must have been baptised in the Roman Catholic Church. Please kindly email me a copy of your child's Baptismal Certificate: vdelcastillo@smhampton.catholic.edu.au

Sacramental Stoles:

Please add a symbol of the Sacrament of Eucharist to the student’s Sacramental stole (which was received for the Sacrament of Reconciliation). Symbols of Eucharist include: bread and grapes, chalice and host, On the stole the students’ name will be placed on the side with the school logo (embroidered, ironed, glued or written) and a symbol of the sacrament on the other side. For more examples of Eucharist symbols please view the link below): https://www.nancyscreations.com.au/rapidcartpro/stoles_euch.php

If there are any students requiring a new stole, please contact me via email: vdelcastillo@smhampton.catholic.edu.au

In preparation for the Sacrament, students will take part in a Reflection Day — an opportunity to gather together in prayer, participate in meaningful activities. A Family Preparation Session will follow taking place in the church. This will be an opportunity to have an understanding of the Sacrament. We thank Fr. Martin in advance who will be leading our session. Dates for our Reflection Day and Family Preperation Session will be confirmed soon.

Thank You

As we wrap up the term, I just wanted to extend my warmest gratitude to our school community for your ongoing support, which plays a vital role in nurturing our school's Catholic Identity and guiding not only our students, but our community's faith journey together.

Wishing your families a safe and restful break,

warm blessings,

Veronica Del Castillo

Religious Education Leader

Parents and Friends