Education in Faith

Sacramental Dates for 2025

Parents please check the following dates

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 20th November 2025.

Reconciliation: baptised Catholics in Year 2.

If you have any further questions regarding your child receiving these Sacraments, please feel free to contact me at the school.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

This week the key themes uniting the readings is: humility, justice, and the right attitude before God.

• God’s justice & the cry of the humbleFrom the book of Sirach we hear that God “knows no favourites” and hears the cry of the oppressed, the widow, the orphan. This reminds us that our God is not indifferent to suffering or to those on the margins. The psalm reinforces that: “The Lord hears the cry of the poor … the Lord is close to the broken-hearted.”

   

So, as part of our reflection, we are invited to stand with the lowly, to know that God values the humble, the marginalised, not simply those with status or self-righteousness.

• Faithful endurance

  In 2 Timothy, Paul speaks of finishing his race, being poured out like a libation, keeping the faith, trusting God’s deliverance. Our Christian life is not a sprint but a race of endurance, marked by humility and perseverance. Importantly, Paul acknowledges abandonment (“no one appeared on my behalf”) but also God’s faithfulness.

• The Gospel’s challenge: attitude in prayer 

  In the Gospel, the Pharisee’s prayer reveals pride: “God, I thank you I’m not like others… I fast… I tithe…” Meanwhile the tax collector stands at a distance, does not even raise his eyes, and prays: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” The surprising conclusion: the tax collector goes home justified, the Pharisee does not. 

   

Thus, through these events, Jesus flips expectations, it is not the one who can list his virtues, but the one who recognises his need of God’s mercy, who is justified. Humility, honesty, openness to God’s mercy matter more than external accomplishments.

• Connecting the threads~ Because God hears the cry of the humble, we are called to humility in prayer and in life.~ Our Christian journey involves faithfulness even when others abandon us, because God remains with us.~ The community of faith is called to justice: to be alert to the cries of the poor and oppressed.~ Our prayer posture matters: not so much what we say, but how we stand before God, with open hands, a contrite heart, less posturing.~ Finally: our sense of righteousness must be rooted in Christ’s mercy, not in comparing ourselves with others.
• Application for our lives

In prayer: 

Reflect:

Do I approach God with pride or with humility? 

Do I recognise my need of God’s mercy?

In community: 

Are we attentive to those who suffer, those whose voices are unheard?

In living out our faith: 

Am I persevering, trusting in God’s promise even when I feel alone or abandoned?

In relation to others: 

Am I tempted to compare myself with others and elevate myself, or do I allow God’s mercy to shape my identity?

Discussion Starters

Here are some questions you can use in a group or for personal reflection:

• In the Gospel, the tax collector’s simple plea is “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” What might that prayer look like in your own words?
• The Pharisee in the parable focuses on his own merits; the tax‐collector recognises his need. Which attitude do you find more common in your prayer life? Why?
• The first reading tells us that “the prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.” (Sirach 35:17) How does this idea challenge your understanding of how God hears prayers?
• Paul in 2 Timothy speaks of being deserted yet upheld by the Lord. Have you ever experienced times where you felt alone in your faith journey? How did you respond?
• The psalm: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.” (Psalm 34:18) Who in your life is broken-hearted or suffering? How might you be called to respond?
• How does the virtue of humility shape our relationships in the Church and the world? What might change if we embraced humility more deeply?
• Consider this: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14) What does being “exalted” mean in a Christian life? How might God exalt the humble?
• In a society that often emphasises achievement, image and self‐promotion, what counter‐cultural message do these readings offer?
• In what ways can you act this week to stand with those whose voices are unheard, whose prayers seem unanswered, whose suffering is hidden?
• Reflect: When you bring your prayers to God, do you bring your achievements, your self‐righteousness, or your vulnerability? What might it look like to bring vulnerability instead?

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose

Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

The total House points for each House so far:

Bosco Is still in the lead!! Well done Bosco!! Will they still be winning next week?? 

MINI VINNIES TWILIGHT MARKET STALL

Mini Vinnies are now working towards the Twilight Market and our Nail Polish/Temporary Tattoos/Coloured Hair Spray/Remembrance Day Badges Stall.

Monday the Mini Vinnies Action team spent time practising applying nail polish. We have some great nail technicians in our team that can’t wait until the market night!!

Parents if you have not responded to the Operoo nominating a time your child can assist on the stall, please do so as soon as possible so that the roster can be completed. We are looking for students to assist in the 7.00-8.00 time slot.

This year we are asking for a gold coin donation. Sr. Rochelle, from the Salesian congregation, came to visit and spoke with our senior students about - ‘Women Empowering Women’ and Faith in Action. She shared her powerful work supporting the development of young girls and women through missions in the Solomon Islands and Samoa. Mini Vinnies have decided that the money we raise at our stall will be donated to Sr Rochelle.

AND NOW FROM THE MINI VINNIES:

Giuliana

Mini Vinnies Facilitator

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au