Religious Education and Social Justice
Sacrament of Eucharist
Over the next two weekends, thirteen students from Corpus Christi School will join with children from the other parish schools to receive the Eucharist for the first time at their First Holy Communion. Our parish priest, Fr Werner Utri, will lead the celebrations. Please keep the children in your prayers as they take this next step in their faith journey.
Prayer for the First Communion Children
Loving God,
You are the giver of all we possess,
the source of all of our blessings.
We thank and praise you.
Give us the strength and courage to treat each day as a fresh start.
May our children come to know you,
the one true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom you have sent.
May your Holy Spirit help them to grow
in faith, hope, and love,
so they may know peace, truth, and goodness. May their ears hear your voice.
May their eyes see your presence in all things. May their lips proclaim your word.
May their hearts be your dwelling place.
May their hands do works of charity.
May their feet walk in the way of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.
Amen.
Pentecost
This Sunday, fifty days after Easter Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the church because before Pentecost, there really was no church.
Jesus had ascended back into the heavens, the Apostles were scared and confused and they didn't know what to do. Going out to baptise people and preach about Jesus was the last thing they had in mind because their lives would be in danger.
But Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit – the force that turned frightened, people into church. There was a rush of wind, tongues of fire, and then suddenly there was courage, knowledge, direction and commitment!
Everyone started speaking and was understood, no matter the language of the listener. These were saints suddenly on fire with the Holy Spirit. And it all began with the wind and fire of the Spirit.
As we celebrate this special day take some time to consider:
What changes in you do you wish the Spirit could blow your way?
How can you cooperate with the Spirit?
In what ways do you need more courage, knowledge, direction or commitment?
Jane Wilkinson
Religious Education Leader