Mission

THE FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Our prayer focus for Assembly this week acknowledged the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which occurred last Friday, 16 June and was celebrated as our Parish Feast Day last weekend, at Sacred Heart, Kooringal. This Feast day is deeply symbolic and meaningful given our Parish connections. The beating heart of Jesus is reflected at the centre of every human person, it represents the deepest self; it is the seat of love and profound human desire. It is also a symbol of our inner compass, the ethical dimension that draws us into the things we most value in our lives.

The solemnity of the Feast of the Sacred Heart was added to the Catholic calendar of devotions in the 17th century so there is a long tradition of recognising, in a special way, the great love of Jesus for all humanity.

St Mary MacKillop, our Australian Saint and founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, wrote a personal reflection called “An Appeal of the Sacred Heart to a Weary, disappointed Soul”. She said that the tender, loving heart of Jesus brought her such peace and joy in his service. 

She concluded by saying:

“The beauty, the pity and the generosity of the Sacred Heart could not be resisted. And in it, I have never known aught but true peace and contentment of heart …

When storms rage, when persecutions or dangers threaten, I quietly creep into its abyss and, securely sheltered there, my soul rests in peace, though my body is tossed upon the stormy waves of a cold and selfish world.”

Sometimes in our lives, it seems that we have nowhere to go to get away from the troubles and pain that can overshadow everything. We can long for a bit of peace and quiet, some understanding and the feeling of being safe and comforted.

Shallow love can be an escape place but in the end, we all need deep love that doesn’t give up on us, accepts us unconditionally and gives us hope for a better tomorrow. This is the love that Jesus, the heart of Christ offers us. It takes courage, patience and faith to stay with God. One thing for sure though is that God always stays with us.

Our Prayer focus this week reflects the Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus (Friday 16 June) and Refugee Week (18 - 24 June). Let us pray…

Creator God, you are the giver of life. 

Saviour Jesus, you have shown us what it is to love. 

Guiding Spirit, you awaken us to justice.

Show us how to build a just future, where all people have equal opportunity to belong and to flourish in your vitality and love.

We ask for mercy for people in limbo on temporary visas, for safety for those seeking permanent protection, for reunions for families who are separated by borders, and for relief for those losing hope within our detention and prolonged refugee systems.

We pray for First Nations Peoples fighting for justice in their own Lands, for survivors of the Stolen Generation and for creation, groaning under climate disruption.

Help us to live out your inclusive love. Help us to live the message of your Kingdom where all people have equal opportunity to belong and flourish. 

Work through us, towards a just future.

Amen

VINNIES WINTER WARMTH APPEAL

Winter has well and truly arrived and many of us have been complaining about the turn of the weather. The icy mornings, wet days and freezing nighttime temperatures heighten our awareness of the need to look after ourselves in these conditions. 

We all begin dressing in warm, winter clothing, consuming hot meals and making an extra effort to keep our bodies warm. As we respond to the chills of winter, I encourage each member of our community to reflect on what life might be like if you were living in a home without warm clothing, couldn’t afford heating, or even worse, were homeless and living on the streets. With these people and a range of situations in our minds, it is important that we remember many members of our community, our neighbours right here in Wagga don’t enjoy the same comforts and necessities we do, on a daily basis.  

During our Vinnies Winter Warmth Appeal launch, we spoke about the current economic Climate in Australia and the impacts of poverty and homelessness upon individuals and families. We know that homeowners and renters are facing extreme pressure to keep a roof over their heads as mortgages and rent prices are increasing exponentially. We highlighted how the ‘working poor’ has become a term to describe people who are gainfully employed, in many cases full-time, but whose low-income jobs mean they are still living below the poverty line because their wage simply isn't enough to cover necessities.

This year, we continue our partnership with Vinnies in the Winter Warmth Appeal to draw attention to these issues, along with a particular focus on older women who are experiencing homelessness. For many of these women, homelessness is triggered by a crisis such as the death of a spouse, divorce, serious illness, rent increase or eviction. Partner violence or elder abuse can also lead to older women being forced to flee their homes. It is a basic human right, and in a well-developed nation, it is justified for us to believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable and secure home with access to warm clothes, heating and medical care. 

So, in Homegroups this week and next we are making one big, final push to collect as many warm winter items as we can for the Vinnies Winter Warmth Appeal. Each member of our community is encouraged to donate at least one item. You may like to purchase a new pair of winter socks, a beanie, gloves or a scarf. Please give generously, clear out your cupboards with items you no longer wear and share them with those who need them most. Please check to ensure any second-hand items are clean and still fit for use. 

Your generosity will help end the experience of spending a perishingly cold winter outside, homeless and alone. On behalf of the Student Representative Council, we thank you for your commitment to this important cause. 

Mrs Amelia Bright | Acting Leader of Mission