Religious Education
Stations of the Cross
Last Thursday afternoon the Year 6 students re-enacted the Stations of the Cross infront of the whole school and parent visitors. A big thank you to the Year 6s and their teachers for helping them rehearse and prepare for this event, to Danny for constructing crosses and Mr Daidone for assisting with the sound tech. The students did an incredible job reverently role playing the 14 stations and taking turns to read prayers and reflections that helped us enter into the moments of Jesus' passion and death, thinking about what it means for our lives. May we continue to listen with our hearts and minds this Holy Week.
Project Compassion
Thank you to the St Patrick's community for their very generous contributions to Caritas Australia's Project compassion! We have raised over $460 this term as part of our whole school almsgiving Lenten practice. We know that Jesus' greatest commandment was to love one another as he loves us, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:35-40). Our contriubtions will go towards individuals, familities and communities in the Phillipines, Samoa, Africa and Indigenous Australians. A special thank you to our Social Justice Leaders from Prep to Grade Six who have helped remind their classes and collect donations. A little can go a long way!
Holy Week
The summit of the Church's Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the morning of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of events of Christ instituting the Eucharist, his passion, death and resurrection. The Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season and leads to the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil. The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are:
- Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil
You may find the times for our Parish's Triduum in the bulletin attached to this newsletter.
The Gospel readings for the Triddum are filled with many important moments. With children it is always best to prepare and read it in chunks, stop and have discussions, use a picture storybook or Children's Bible version at home so they can best engage and follow along. If you don't have a Children's Bible at home, you can watch a narrated version of this year's Mark readings online here: Watch Mark Chapter 14 & Watch Mark Chapter 15.
Gospel Reflection
Gospel Reading
Mary of Magdala finds that the stone has been removed from Jesus' tomb.
Family Connection
In the Easter Gospel we hear about how the disciples found the tomb empty three days after Jesus' death. They didn't understand when Jesus tried to explain his resurrection to them prior his death and even at this moment they're not quite sure what is happening. Their understanding gradually unfolds as they encounter the risen Lord. Similarly, our understanding of Jesus' Resurrection unfolds for us throughout our lives. Faith is a grace from God which requires a supernatural trust and hope. In the weeks ahead, we will hear how the first disciples moved from confusion, doubt, and skepticism to faith. Their experience can teach us how we too might receive this gift of faith from God.
Pray
Invite your family to imagine that they are among Jesus' first disciples and read together John 20:1-9. Discuss if you had been among the disciples who heard that the stone had been removed or with Mary when she went to the tomb and found it empty, what would you think? Put yourselves into the scenes as you encounter the risten Lord. Pray together:
Loving God,
You loved this world so much, that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. Help us to live in the joy and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your mercy and love and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in your ways and tell your good news to the world.
Amen.
In the words of Pope Francis,
May this Easter be for each of you, dear brothers and sisters, and in particular for the sick and the poor, the elderly and those experiencing moments of trial and weariness, a passage from affliction to consolation. We are not alone: Jesus, the Living One, is with us, forever. Let the Church and the world rejoice, for today our hopes no longer come up against the wall of death, for the Lord has built us a bridge to life." - Ubi et Orbi
Have a Happy Easter!
God bless,
India Mitchell-Fletcher
Religious Education Leader