Our Faith - Religion - Prayer
St Patrick's Church Walcha
For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.
Monsignor Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.
Term 4 Mass Dates
Friday 28th November: Mass at 11.30am
Friday 12th December: End of Year and Year 6 Graduation Mass at 12.00pm
Reflection
During the recent school holidays, I was incredibly fortunate to embark on a journey that took me across the world to a site of profound historical and spiritual significance: the House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi) located high in the hills near the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey.
For many people, the chance to stand in a place believed to be the final home of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is a deeply moving experience. Walking the sacred grounds where she is said to have lived out her final earthly years offers a powerful connection to the early days of Christianity.
I must confess, I'm a big fan of souvenir shops when traveling! While overseas, I picked up a beautiful Mary statue and some Ephesus Rosary Beads. It struck me as wonderfully fitting—or quite ironic, really—that I bought the Rosary Beads during October, the month traditionally dedicated to the Rosary.
October holds a special place in the Catholic Church as the Month of the Holy Rosary. This dedication is more than just a calendar note; it is a long-standing tradition encouraging Catholics worldwide to increase their devotion to this prayer throughout the month.
The primary reason October is dedicated to the Rosary traces back to a pivotal military victory. On October 7, 1571, a smaller fleet of the Holy League defeated a much larger Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Lepanto. Pope St. Pius V, attributing the victory not to military strategy but to the fervent prayers of the Rosary offered across Europe, established a feast day to commemorate the event.
The Rosary is not just about reciting Hail Marys; it's a meditative prayer that asks us to reflect on the lives of Jesus and Mary. It involves contemplating the Mysteries—key events from the Gospel (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous)—while praying the sequence of beads.
During October, Catholics are encouraged to pray the Rosary more frequently, individually or as a family, as a powerful way to meditate on the life of Christ and ask for Mary's intercession.
Prayer
Queen of the Rosary,
as we pray these beads,
help us to always look to your Son,
Jesus.
Quiet our hearts so we may
truly meditate on the Mysteries of His life.
Grant us grace
to pray the Rosary faithfully,
making it a source of peace
and a strong bond to Christ.
Amen.
OCTOBER - World Mission Month
Focus on Mission- Zambia
This year, Catholic Mission's annual Socktober campaign is shining a spotlight on the challenges and potential of Zambia, specifically focusing on empowering communities—especially women—to overcome food insecurity and secure a brighter future for their children.
The popular nationwide school initiative, which uses the unifying power of soccer and the iconic 'sockball' to engage students in global mission, is raising awareness and vital funds for projects aimed at establishing long-term sustainability in the Diocese of Mpika.
The region of Mpika in Zambia is currently grappling with the severe effects of prolonged drought, crop failures, and an ongoing economic crisis. For many farming families, particularly mothers, this has resulted in an impossible choice: sell the meager maize harvest to cover immediate daily necessities, or keep it to feed their children and go without other basic needs. The cycle of poverty is relentless, and the lack of a stable food supply threatens children's health and ability to attend school.
In response to this critical situation, Catholic Mission, in partnership with the local Church in Mpika, has launched the Maize Mill Project. This initiative is dedicated to creating a sustainable source of food and income by empowering women with the skills and resources to grow, harvest, and mill their own maize.
Catholic Mission's 2025 campaign is an invitation to be a "Missionary of Hope," transforming a simple game of soccer into a powerful gesture of global solidarity with the people of Zambia.
Our Mini Vinnies students are currently planning some fun activities to enjoy during Mission Month,
Crazy Hair and Sock Day - Friday 31st October - GOLD COIN Donation
Duct Tape the Staff Member Day!- Friday 31st October- $1 per strip of duct tape!
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.