Catholic Identity

The Conclave - Election of a new Pope

Today the sacred Conclave begins. The purpose of the Conclave is to elect a new Pope to lead the Catholic Church. We watch with prayful anticipation for the white smoke to appear from the Sistine Chapel in Rome which informs us that the Cardinals have been successful in electing a new Pope. This process can generally take anywhere from 3 -days to two weeks.

During this time we prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide the Cardinals in their discernment and elections. May they elect a new Pope who will lead the church in wisdom and truth, following the teachings of Jesus and the movement of the Holy Spirit in our times.

Amen.

Sandhurst Switches Off

On Wednesday, St. Therese's will participate in Sandhurst Switches off. This event is an act of solidarity with our world, promoting environmental protection, love and respect for all of creation and responding to the call of our God as promoted by Pope Francis to care for our common home.

On Wednesday afternoon all unnecessary electronics will be turned off for an hour.

Sacramental Preparation - Confirmation and Eucharist

We pray for the students in grade three and above who have commenced their preparation to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. This is a very special time in their spiritual development. We pray that this is a time of growth in understanding of the love our God has for each of them.

Mass for Mothers

The Junior Units are hosting a Mass for Mothers to celebrate Mother's Day on Friday the 9th of May at 9:15 am.

All are welcome.

Sunday Gospel - John 21:1-19

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. 

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you."

So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, 

"Children, have you caught anything to eat?" 

They answered him, 

"No." So he said to them, 

"Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." 

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 

"It is the Lord." 

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, 

"Bring some of the fish you just caught." 

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, 

"Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. 

Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,

"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"

Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He then said to Simon Peter a second time,

"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."

Jesus said to him the third time,

"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Reflection

Surprisingly this is the standard set Gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Easter, one could be forgiven thinking it was especially chosen this week due to the commencement of the Conclave on Wednesday to elect a new Pope as 'successor to St. Peter.'

The Gospel from this Sunday recalls Jesus appearing to the disciples after his resurrection, and his conversation with Peter, who had denied Jesus three times during Jesus's trial his crucifixion. 

Jesus had chosen Peter to lead his Church after his ascension. In this interaction we see Jesus showing Jesus the kind of Church he wants Peter to lead, a church of love, forgiveness and compassion.  Jesus, through the questioning of St. Peter, allows him to acknowledge his love for Jesus, his sorrow for his denial, and to accept Jesus's love and mercy. Jesus is calling Peter to lead a Church that is built on love and mercy. We pray that the Catholic Church, with the election of a new Pope, can be a true example of Jesus' love and mercy in our world today.