Education in Faith

4th Sunday of Easter - Year B

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that he is the good shepherd who knows his sheep. He makes a distinction between good shepherds and hired hands. Good shepherds truly care for, guard, and protect their sheep. Hired hands are more likely to run at the first sign of trouble. As a good shepherd, Jesus knows his sheep and his sheep know him. Jesus is so devoted to his sheep that he will lay down his life for them.

Through the Gospel, Jesus reveals to us that a good shepherd makes sacrifices for the sheep not because it is required, but because it is a choice. That sounds a lot like parenting and the dynamics of a healthy family life. Parents choose to make sacrifices for their children out of love. They model and invite their children to choose to make sacrifices for other family members and for other people, acting out of love.

Reflection

Good Shepherd Sunday is a time to reflect and give thanks to all the shepherds in our lives! Invite family members to talk about the good shepherds in their lives and in your family’s life. 

Discussion 

When you gather as a family, invite each family member to consider the following: 

Think of all the people who share in the task of teaching, guiding, and protecting children. 

• Who among those people is truly a good shepherd, a person who invests himself or herself in your child’s life?
• Who are the “hired hands”—those who are less personally invested, but are still a part of your child’s circle of formation and care?

Think about your own role as a parent. 

• How are you being a good shepherd to your child and to your family?
• Are there any “wolves” in your life, drawing your attention away from the flock God has placed in your care?
• Some of the wolves that take my attention off of Jesus,
• Something I can do to help me follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, more closely is..
• Someone can be a good shepherd to is... by...

Do we do family chores cheerfully and without having to be asked multiple times? 

Do we gladly share with others? 

Do we willingly contribute to the family good when asked? 

Discuss together how the example of the Good Shepherd might inspire our family life. Invite each family member to make a renewed commitment to one action/attitude to focus on in the upcoming week that show that we will choose to follow the example of the Good Shepherd. Pray together for guidance that we will be able to honour our commitment.

Sacramental Dates

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM 

 MINI VINNIES

ANZAC DAY BADGES

On Sunday 25th of April is Anzac Day. This is a day we remember all those that have fought in wars to provide us with the world we live in today.

In order to commemorate Anzac Day and the people who fought in wars, Mini Vinnies have been selling Anzac Badges for a gold donation. They have been selling them before and after school as well at eating time during 1st and 2nd lunch. The money we collect will then be collected by our local RSL to assist our war veterans and their families. Thank you to all the people who have supported us. 

And once again I would like to thank Mini Vinnies who are always ready to give up their time to help others in need. What a great group of students I have the pleasure to work with this year! 

We have many activities planned for the rest of the year, such as our annual food appeal

 later this term, our Christmas Appeal in Term 4 and we are currently in the midst of

 discussing some new ideas that Mini Vinnies would like to initiate. They will also learn a bit about the St Vincent de Paul Society, that they are members of and we will organise a time for the students to receive their Mini Vinnies badges which I hope they will wear with pride.

Giuliana