ST MARK'S KEYSTONE "Reflect"

R.E. News

Religious Education Dates for 2024

RE DATES:

 

Confirmation

  • Thursday 22nd August - Confirmation Reconciliation service - 11:40am
  • Bishop visit - Friday 23rd August at 10am
  • Saturday 24th August - Sacrament of Confirmation – 1pm and 3pm 

 

Eucharist

  • Saturday 10th August – First Eucharist Commitment Mass – 6pm
  • Wednesday 23rd October - Eucharist Reflection Day
  • Thursday 24th October -  Reconciliation at 11:40am and practise
  • Saturday 26th October - Sacrament of First Eucharist mass at 6pm
  • Sunday 27th October - Sacrament of First Eucharist mass at 9:30am

 

Whole School Mass/Events

  • Thursday 15th August - Feast of the Assumption Mass at 9am
  • Friday 25th October - St Francis Blessing of the animals service from 9am to 9:15am
  • Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day service at 10:55am
  • Thursday 12th December - Year 6 Graduation at 6pm 
  • Friday 13th December - End of School Mass at 9am 

 

 

Children’s Liturgy

The reintroduction of Children's Liturgy at St Mark's Church is up and running and looking for more volunteers! Training will be provided and the next session is due at the end of Term 2.

The Children's Liturgy provides a great opportunity for primary aged children to engage with the gospel in a way that is accessible and meaningful to them. It runs every Sunday at the St Mark's 9:30am mass during school terms. At the start of mass the Children’s Liturgy adult leaders take the primary school age children into the hall for a small lesson and activity about the gospel of the day. Parents are welcome to join the session if they would like. If any parents are interested in volunteering to help with the Sunday sessions, please email Andrew Davies - andrew@smdingley.catholic.edu.au

 

 

Gospel Reflection by Nick Brodie

Pope Francis suggests that ‘the bread of life’ – Jesus – should never be treated as ‘a side dish’. True faith in Jesus means recognising that he is the nourisher of our very being.

‘We need bread to live’, the Pope says. In identifying himself as ‘the bread of life’, therefore, Jesus wants us to see that he is essential. Through him we find meaning for our lives and nourishment for our souls.

We see in today’s Gospel passage that Jesus wants his followers to understand that he is not merely a provider of bread.

The Pope encourages us to embrace our sense of amazement at this mystery. ‘No one in this world’, the Pope points out, ‘as much as they might love another person, can make themselves become food for them.’ Jesus is telling us something truly amazing: The bread he gives is his very self!

Interestingly, Jesus chooses to affirm this in response to squabbling within the crowd. They were arguing about Jesus, focused on where he came from. ‘Perhaps we too might be scandalised’, the Pope suggests, ‘it might make us more comfortable to have a God who stays in heaven without getting involved in our life’.

But Jesus’ followers are called to help, not hinder his eternal self-giving. As the Pope says, ‘God became man to enter into the concrete reality of this world.’ We pray that through the Church, in the Eucharist, and in the life of every Christian, Jesus continues to feed the world.

 

Year 1/2 Parent Child Faith Night

Last night we held a faith night for our Year 1/2 families. The theme of the night was “Being a Good Neighbour”. The night started with an explanation of the Year F -2 RE curriculum followed by how we teach RE in Year 1/2. Then the parents and children watched a video of the Good Samaritan and had time to discuss the purpose and significance of the parable. The night finished off with an activity based on the theme “Good neighbours”. It was wonderful to see so many families at the night. We know how important it is for our families to be part of their child's learning journey. There is so much evidence that tells us the more involved parents are in their child's schooling the better the child does at school. Thank-you for being there with your children.