Catholic Identity
PRAYER
In next Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 10:37-42) we hear Jesus asking his disciples to, ‘Take up their Cross’. This Gospel can be a difficult one to hear. It calls us to place following God before our loyalty to family and even before our own life. It is important to place this passage in context. It appears in a chapter that deals with the commissioning of the disciples. At the end of the chapter, having spelt out all the difficulties a disciple must face, Jesus calls the twelve to be compassionate and generous, ‘offering a cup of cold water to these little ones’ and he assures them that even their smallest act of welcoming, will be rewarded by God.
Below is a simple prayer to follow Jesus, that families may like to pray together over the coming school holidays:
Lord Jesus,
You ask me to love you first and most of all.
Give me the courage to follow you every single day, even when it is hard.
Help me to choose your way instead of my own.
Open my eyes and my heart to welcome other people.
Help me to see you in anyone who is lonely, tired, or needs help.
May every kind thing I do, like sharing a drink of water, be a gift for you.
Keep my heart focused on heaven, so I can live with you forever.
Amen.
FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART MASS
Our final school Mass for the term will be celebrated tomorrow, Wednesday 24th June, and will be dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During the offertory procession, some of the donated non-perishable grocery items will be presented as a symbol of our community's generosity and care for others.
We sincerely thank our families for their support of this important initiative. All donated goods, along with the $473 raised, will be passed on to the St Vincent de Paul Society, which will distribute them to local families experiencing hardship.
PARISH DINNER DANCE
The Parish will be holding a Dinner Dance on Saturday 25th July from 6:30pm onwards in the St Andrew’s School Hall. On the night there will be live music and a buffet dinner. This is a wonderful way to support the vital work of our Parish. Families wishing to represent St John’s on the night at a school table of 10, can contact the school office on 8754 4300 to secure your tickets.
COMMUNITY MASS
Throughout the year we hold a number of Community Masses, in either our School Hall or as part of a Parish Mass at St Andrew’s church. These Masses are generally celebrated on the fourth Saturday of the month (excluding school holidays or where the weekend is next to a public holiday).
Below is a list of the remaining Mass dates for the year, we look forward to seeing many of our families there:
Saturday 25th July
Saturday 22nd August
Saturday 24th October
Saturday 28th November
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
- Tuesday July 21st Family Meeting 6:00pm @ St John’s School Hall
- Saturday August 8th Sacrament of Confirmation @ MacKillop College Werribee
SACRAMENTAL JOURNALS
All baptised Catholic students in Year 3, 4 and 6 are celebrating a Sacrament this year. Students in Year 4 will receive their First Holy Communion later in Term 2 and our Year 6 students will be Confirmed in Term 3.
An important aspect of preparing for any Sacrament is to attend Mass each weekend. Fr Albert is encouraging every child in the Parish of St Andrew’s who is preparing to celebrate a Sacrament this year, to attend Mass regularly, to receive God’s abundant graces.
All students celebrating a Sacrament this year, have received their Sacramental Journal. These Journals are given to all children in the Parish who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, their First Holy Communion or to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year. The Journal is an easy way for families to record the Masses they attend throughout the year. Please remember to take a pen to Mass so the priest can sign your Journal for you at the end of Mass.
PARISH NEWSLETTER