Education in Faith

Feast of All Saints~ Year A

Called to Be Saints: Living the Beatitudes Every Day 

Every act of love can become an act of holiness. 

The Feast of All Saints is a joyful celebration of all those who have followed Christ faithfully and now share in the glory of God. It reminds us that holiness is not something reserved for a few extraordinary people. We are all called to become saints through the ordinary choices we make each day through love, kindness, forgiveness, courage, compassion and service.

The readings for this Sunday, All Saints’ Day invite us to look beyond the saints we know by name and recognise the countless people who have lived lives of quiet faithfulness. The Church celebrates this great communion of saints as one family united in Christ. 

A Great Multitude – In the first reading, John has a beautiful vision of “a great multitude” gathered before God people from every nation, culture, language and background. They stand before God and the Lamb, praising God for the gift of salvation.

This image reminds us that God's family is wonderfully diverse. Saints come from different places and different times. Some are well known, while others lived quietly and faithfully without ever being recognised by the world.

 “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.” 

The Responsorial Psalm points us towards the desire at the heart of every Christian life: to know God, to seek God and to live in God's presence.

The psalm asks who may enter the presence 

of the Lord and speaks of those who have clean hands and pure hearts. This is not about being perfect. It is about allowing God to shape the way we think, speak and act.

“We are God's children.” 

The Second Reading gives us one of the most beautiful messages of All Saints’ Day:

We are God's children now.

Our identity begins with God's love. We are not called to become saints because we have to earn God's love. Rather, we respond to the love God has already given us.

The saints show us what can happen when a person allows God's love to shape their life. Their example encourages us to become more loving, generous, courageous and compassionate.

In the Gospel, Jesus gives us the Beatitudes. He describes the people who are truly blessed: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers. 

At first, Jesus' words can seem surprising. The world often tells us that happiness comes from being powerful, successful, popular or having more than others. Jesus gives us a different vision.

He teaches that true happiness is found in loving God and loving others.

The saints understood this. They did not all live extraordinary lives. Many simply chose, again and again, to live with compassion, courage, humility, forgiveness and love.

Discussion Starters 

• What do you imagine when you hear about the “great multitude” gathered before God?
• Why do you think God’s family includes people from every nation, culture and language?
• Who are some people in your life who show God's love through their actions?
• What might it mean to have a “pure heart”?
• What does it mean to “seek the face of God”?
• How can we show that we are seeking God through our actions?
• What does it mean to you to know that you are a child of God?
• How does knowing that God loves you change the way you treat others?
• Which Beatitude speaks most strongly to you? Why?
• What does Jesus teach us about true happiness?
• How can we be peacemakers in our classroom, playground and home?
• How can we show mercy to someone who has made a mistake?
• Who is a saint or holy person who inspires you?
• What quality of that person would you like to develop in yourself?
• What is one small act of kindness, service or love you could do this week?
• What Does It Mean to Be a Saint Today?

Being a saint does not mean being perfect.

It means choosing God's way, even when it is difficult.

A saint might be:

• the child who notices someone sitting alone and invites them to join in;
• the student who tells the truth even when it is difficult;
• the friend who forgives;
• the teacher who patiently encourages a child;
• the parent who serves their family with love;
• the person who stands up for someone being treated unfairly;
• the elderly person who faithfully prays for others.

Saints are people who allow God's love to shine through their everyday lives.

The Feast of All Saints therefore invites every member of our school community to ask:

“What kind of saint is God calling me to be?”

Sacramental Dates for 2026

Parents please be aware of the following dates and note them in your calendar:

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 19th November 2026.

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.

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose ~ Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

I would like to thank parents who have assisted with school activities such as the Junior Excursion, assisting in the Junior change rooms for swimming, selling icy poles, working in the uniform shop just to mention a few. The pages near the iPad in the office were full for the month of October with parent helpers working hard to gain points for their child’s house. Well done parents for joining in our House Competition!

As we are approaching the end of October, the total points for the month of October for parent assistance with school events which contributes to the Community Spirit House points are:

Parent contribution to House points will be reported each month and then added to the House totals. Thank you, parents!!! Don’t forget to fill in the sheets near the iPad when you come in to assist with activities.

Total House points so far which include parent assistance points for the month of October:

CELEBRATING SFS MINI VINNIES

A big thank you to the St Vincent de Paul team who came last Friday and helped us celebrate the ‘Good Works’ of Mini Vinnies! Thank you to Sarah and Tayla from the SVDP Youth Engagement Team and Richie and Rebecca from the Soupvan Team. 

Well done Mini Vinnies! I really appreciate all your efforts and commitment to make a difference in our world.

REMEMBRNCE DAY – Wednesday November 11th

‘Lest We Forget’

Mini Vinnies have started selling Remembrance Day items during 1st lunch and 2nd lunch eating time. They have been visiting LS1 during 1st lunch eating time and LS2 & 3 during 2nd lunch eating time to give students the opportunity to purchase items. 

We have poppies for $2, wristbands for $3 and pens for $5. It would be great if students purchasing have the correct change. Mini Vinnies will continue selling items up until Remembrance Day. Remember all money raised will go to the RSL to support those who fought in the war and their families.

Giuliana

Mini Vinnies Facilitator 

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au