Catholic Identity
Sacramental Program
Thank you to all families participating in the Sacramental Program via Google Meet. These are continuing on Monday nights at 6pm. I have loved the parent and child engagement throughout these.
We have currently postponed Confirmation and First Eucharist for the weekend of the 23rd and 24th October.
We have a new yet to be confirmed date of Sunday the 21st of November. The arrangements of groups and times is yet to be made closer to the date.
We look forward to coming together to celebrate this!
Jessie Simpson
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
"The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for all.”
Year B | Sunday 17 October | green
Preparing to hear God's word
Can you think of a story about people wanting to be great and important.
Do you remember the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, where the Queen kept asking 'Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all?'
Maybe you can think of other examples too.
The Gospel Story
In today’s story, James and John want to be more important than the other disciples and to have special privileges given to them. Jesus says that the way to true greatness is not to be powerful or important, but rather to be a servant of others. Jesus says, 'If you want to be first, you must be everyone's slave'.
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 10:35-45
The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for all.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, will you do us a favour?"
Jesus asked them what they wanted, and they answered, "When you come into your glory, please let one of us sit at your right side and the other at your left."
Jesus told them, "You don't really know what you're asking! Are you able to drink from the cup that I must soon drink from or be baptised as I must be baptised?"
"Yes, we are!" James and John answered.
Then Jesus replied, "You certainly will drink from the cup from which I must drink. And you will be baptised just as I must! But it isn't for me to say who will sit at my right side and at my left. That is for God to decide."
When the ten other disciples heard this, they were angry with James and John. But Jesus called the disciples together and said:
You know that those foreigners who call themselves kings like to order their people around. And their great leaders have full power over the people they rule. But don't act like them. If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others. And if you want to be first, you must be everyone's slave. The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - discussion
A servant is not meant to be a doormat but someone who is aware of and responds to the needs of others. Discuss with children who the 'weak ones' might be. Are there children in your school or parish who may need a friend or a helping hand or a listening ear or a word of encouragement or affirmation? There is so much we can do to 'lift up' others.
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
"Master, grant that I may see.”
Year B | Sunday 24 October | green
Preparing to hear God's word
Imagine for a moment that you are blind. Close your eyes.
What would it be like to have never seen colours?
How does it feel not to be able to see your surroundings?
The Gospel Story
Bartimaeus was a blind man who sat begging by the side of the road. But Bartimaeus could 'see' and understand the real Jesus. He asked Jesus for help and for healing. He believed in Jesus. He had total faith in Jesus and he could see again.
And in the end we are told, Bartimaeus followed Jesus!
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 10:46-52
Master, grant that I may see.
Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho.
And as they were leaving,
they were followed by a large crowd.
A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus
was sitting beside the road.
When he heard that it was Jesus from Nazareth,
he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"
Many people told the man to stop,
but he shouted even louder,
"Son of David, have pity on me!"
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him over!"
They called out to the blind man and said,
"Don't be afraid! Come on!
He is calling for you."
The man threw off his coat as he jumped up and ran to Jesus.
Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"
The blind man answered, "Master, I want to see!"
Jesus told him, "You may go.
Your eyes are healed because of your faith."
Right away the man could see,
and he went down the road with Jesus.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - Discussion
To say, 'I see' is to mean 'Now I understand'. Invite children to name things they 'see' and understand now that they did not understand when they were younger.
Have a pair of sunglasses. Invite children to imagine these glasses are the 'eyes of faith'. When wearing the glasses, a person understands many things. Invite children to put on the glasses and share what they can 'see'.
