Education in Faith

 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

In this week’s Gospel reading (John 8:1-11), we see Jesus respond with great compassion and wisdom when a woman caught in adultery is brought before Him. The Pharisees and scribes, hoping to trap Jesus, ask Him whether the woman should be stoned according to the law of Moses. Jesus, however, challenges them with a profound statement: "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."

One by one, the accusers leave, convicted by their own consciences, and only Jesus remains with the woman. He asks her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replies, "No one, sir." Jesus then says, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."

This moment highlights several key themes:

Mercy Over Judgment: Jesus shows mercy over judgment, teaching that God’s love is greater than any sin. The Pharisees were quick to condemn, but Jesus challenges us to recognise our own faults before judging others.

Forgiveness and New Beginnings: Jesus doesn’t just forgive the woman; He offers her a new chance at life. "Go and sin no more" invites her to turn away from her past and live a transformed life.

Self-Examination: Jesus' question to the accusers, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone," calls us to reflect on our own lives and how we often fail to show mercy to others.

This story serves as a reminder that while sin is real, God's mercy is even greater. Jesus calls us to be merciful and loving, not only to others but also to ourselves, as we seek forgiveness and strive to live in accordance with His will.

Discussion Starters:

• Mercy vs. Judgment: Why do you think Jesus chose to focus on mercy rather than judgment in His response to the woman caught in adultery? How does this challenge our attitudes toward others, especially those who have wronged us?

   

• The Accusers' Departure: The accusers leave one by one when confronted with their own sinfulness. How does this reflect the importance of humility in our faith? Are there times when we are quick to judge others instead of looking at our own flaws?

   

   

   

• Forgiveness and Transformation: Jesus forgives the woman but also tells her to "go and sin no more." What does this show us about the relationship between forgiveness and personal transformation? How can we experience true change in our own lives?

• Self-Examination: Jesus’ challenge to the accusers to examine their own lives before condemning the woman calls us to reflect on our own actions. How can we be more aware of our own sins and shortcomings before criticising or condemning others?

   

• The Role of Compassion: How can we show the same kind of compassion and understanding to others that Jesus showed the woman caught in adultery? What can we do to create a more forgiving and loving community?

   

• A New Beginning: Jesus offers the woman a new beginning free from condemnation. In what areas of your life do you feel called to start anew, leaving behind past mistakes and seeking God’s forgiveness?

This reflection and discussion focuses on the profound mercy and forgiveness that Jesus offers, calling us to live out those virtues in our own lives. 

Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday and includes Palm Sunday, Holy (Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. 

Why do we have a week called “Holy Week”?

Why would we refer to a week as being holy? The word “holy” means “set apart.” That’s why we call the Bible “holy.” It isn’t just any book. It is set apart from all other books because it is God’s living Word given to us for our salvation! The same goes for Holy Week. This week is set apart from all other weeks because this is the week in the Church Year when we follow Jesus through His final days on earth and hear again of the sacrifice He was willing to make on our behalf to pay for our sins with His life and win for us salvation!

Palm Sunday – April 13, 2025

The Sunday before Jesus was crucified by the people, they honored and adored Him as their Lord and king with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!” We remember this as the beginning of Christ’s bitter walk to the cross.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the people began to praise and honor Him as their king. They believed Him to be a powerful leader who would overthrow the Roman government and restore Israel. When Jesus did not do this as they expected, the people wanted Him crucified. But Jesus revealed Himself as our humble King who came with a much bigger task. He’s a king who came to die for the sins of all people. Wow! What a King!

Holy (Maundy) Thursday – April 17, 2025

The Thursday before Jesus was crucified He sat in the Upper Room with His disciples and shared a meal with them, His last before His death and resurrection. It is here that Jesus institutes the sacrament of Holy Communion that we still celebrate today, where God meets us with His true presence in the bread and wine, and offers us forgiveness.

This is also the day that Jesus, the King of the Universe, got down on His knees, and washed His disciples’ feet. By performing this act of humility (which only the lowest of servants would do) Jesus gives us an example of the kind of humility and service we are to show each other and the world.

Good Friday – April 18, 2025

It seems strange to call the day that Jesus was crucified “good”. It doesn’t feel very good knowing that because of us, Jesus had to go through all of those horrible things and then pay the ultimate price, His very life, up on the cross. But that is exactly why it is good! Jesus, who never sinned, paid the penalty for our sins and made us right with God.

Our Good Friday Services reflect the sobering realization that it was our sins that put Jesus on that cross. The service is dark, and quiet, and somber. We leave the Worship Center without sound, but not without hope! Because we know what happened after three days!

Easter Sunday (Resurrection Day) - April 20, 2025

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah! God’s promise to save His people is fulfilled and we celebrate this day, reveling in God’s grace, mercy, and victory over sin, death, and the devil. For not even death can win over our King! We lift our voices together in shouts of “Hallelujah!” to our Redeemer and Lord, Jesus Christ.

We at St. Francis de Sales, wish all our families and friends a very Holy and blessed Easter.

Sacramental Dates for 2025

Parents please check the following dates

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 20th November 2025.
• Grade 3 will receive First Eucharist in Term 2 on Saturday, 21st June 2025.
• Grade 6 will receive Confirmation – Term 3 on Saturday, 6th September 2025.

Reconciliation: baptised Catholics in Year 2.

Eucharist: baptised Catholics in Year 3 or who have celebrated their Reconciliation.

Confirmation: Year 6 Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

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

News from the Parish

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

Fifth Week of Lent

(Week beginning Monday 7 April)

The transformative work of Caritas Australia is only possible thanks to supporters like you and the dedication, passion, and resilience of our local partners, who tirelessly work to empower communities and create brighter futures.

In Vietnam, Caritas Australia’s partner programs, like I-SHINE, helped Lam, a young man with a disability, gain graphic design skills and start a successful freelance business, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

In Samoa, Caritas Australia works with Caritas Samoa to improve access to clean water and sanitation through initiatives like water tank installations, transforming health and well-being for families like Toefuata’iga’s.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Caritas Australia works in partnership with Caritas Kongolo on the Youth Capacity Strengthening Program. This initiative equipped Irene, a single mother, with sewing and farming skills, enabling her to support her family and empower others in her community.

Through partnerships like these, Caritas Australia creates lasting change in communities across the globe.

THANK YOU

Caritas Australia would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your incredible support of Project Compassion this Lent. If you still have your Project Compassion box at home, please bring them back into school next term. Your generosity this Lent is helping to empower the world’s most vulnerable communities, enabling them to overcome challenges and lift themselves out of poverty.

Together, we are creating a better tomorrow, helping vulnerable communities build stronger futures for themselves and empowering them to break free from the cycle of poverty. Thank you for standing with us!

House Project Compassion Boxes were collected today and the total that each House collected is below. If you still have a Project Compassion box at home please return it to the office next term with your child’s House clearly labelled on the box.

Donations from each House:

Congratulations to MacKillop ! 

These dollar amounts have now been added as points to the Community Spirit House points. A grand total of $ 162.05 was donated!! Well done SFS!!!

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

The total House points for each House at the end of Term 1 which includes the Project Compassion donations:

Well done Bosco!! But the other houses are not far behind and we still have three terms to go!!

MINI VINNIES COMMITMENT CEREMONY

So proud of the SFS Mini Vinnies who have made a commitment to be part of this social justice action team. They are willing to give up their lunchtimes to make a difference not only in their local community but further afield in the world. Well done SFS Mini Vinnies. I look forward to continue working with you.

Giuliana

Mini Vinnies Facilitator

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au