Our Faith - Religion - Prayer
St Patrick's Church Walcha
For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Fr Anthony Koppman 67772129.
Fr Anthony would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Reflection
In our fast-paced world, it is easy to feel constantly weary and burdened by our responsibilities, worries, and even our own expectations. This passage is a beautiful and gentle invitation from Jesus himself. He isn't asking us to simply stop working or to ignore our duties, but to come to him and find a different kind of rest—a spiritual rest that refreshes and nourishes our very souls.
The "yoke" was a tool used to link two oxen together, enabling them to share a heavy load. Jesus's metaphor here is a promise that he will partner with us in our struggles. When we are yoked with him, our burdens become lighter because we are no longer carrying them alone. His gentleness and humility are the very qualities that make this partnership possible, offering us a profound sense of peace.
Rest, in this biblical sense, is not just about sleeping or being idle. It is about a deeper renewal that comes from aligning our lives with God's will. It is the peace that comes from trusting in him, knowing that he will guide us and provide us with the strength we need. By taking time to be with him in prayer and reflection, we allow our souls to be nourished and our spirits to be renewed, preparing us to face life's challenges with a lighter heart.
Year of Jubilee
2025 is a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church.
A Jubilee Year is traditionally proclaimed by the Universal Church every 25 years. It is a particular year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on spiritual life.
The theme is Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis has invited Catholics to renew our hope and discover a vision that can "restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone". We are also invited to rediscover a spirituality of God's creation in which we understand ourselves as "pilgrims on the earth" rather than masters of the world.
You will see this logo often this year...
The logo symbolises unity and fraternity among all of humanity, with four stylised figures from different corners of the earth embracing each other. The leading figure holds a cross, representing faith and hope. The rough waves beneath the figures symbolise life's challenges, emphasising the need for hope in difficult times. The elongated lower part of the cross forms an anchor, a well-known symbol of hope. This image depicts the pilgrimage as a communal journey towards the cross, which reaches out dynamically to offer presence and hope.
Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope (Youtube)
The Jubilee Prayer
To pray and download the Prayer for the 2025 Jubilee, click here. Copies of the Jubilee Prayer are available in Braille. Please contact the Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry for a copy: specialneedsministry@adw.org or 301-853-4560.
Sacrament Dates for 2025
2025 First Reconciliation - Postponed: First Reconciliation has been postponed until later in Term 4 at a date to be announced.