Religion
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks to the disciples about what it means to be a “follow er.” Following a leader like Jesus wasn’t always an easy job for his disciples. Jesus reminds them that being his followers will sometimes mean choosing to do things other than the things they want.
Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Jesus faced many challenges and struggles during his life and on his way to his death on the cross.
“Following Christ means to take up our cross.” Being a follower can be very challenging and we need to be courageous in the difficult times and know that the Holy Spirit is always here to guide us.
Gospel Reading: Mt 16:21-27
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord,’ he said. ‘This must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is
not God’s way but man’s.’
Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’
The Gospel of the Lord
Sacrament of Confirmation
We would like to congratulate the candidates for preparing so well for their Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation recognises the newly confirmed as full members of the Catholic Church, where they were anointed and sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you to our wonderful families for working in partnership with us to prepare the children for this next step in their faith journey. The candidates should be proud of themselves, particularly with responding so positively when renewing their Baptismal Promises during the Mass. A special thanks to Fr Colin for celebrating the Mass.
Confirmation Retreat Day
The Year 6 students gathered for the Confirmation Retreat Day last Friday. The day began with attending the morning Parish Mass, followed by learning related to the Holy Spirit and our calling to vocations.
Sacrament of First Reconciliation
Please keep the children in your prayers as they make final preparations for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is to be celebrated on Wednesday 2nd September at 7.00 p.m. in St Mark’s Church. Our Year 3 students will be gathering for the Reconciliation Retreat Day on this day.
Celebration of Father’s Day
Father’s Day is celebrated this year on Sunday 6th September. It is a day for us to show
appreciation for fathers, grandfathers and other significant males in our lives.
As a school community, we wish everyone a wonderful day on Father’s Day, and we especially pray for the members of our school whose fathers have died. May they enjoy eternal life in heaven.
Prayer for Fathers, Grandfathers and Father Figures
Heavenly Father,
you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the child of Mary,
to the care of Joseph,
Bless all fathers, grandfathers and
significant males in our lives.
Give them strength and wisdom,
tenderness and patience;
support them in the work they have to do.
We pray for our fathers who have died,
that they have been welcomed into Your loving embrace,
and that our family will one day
be reunited in your heavenly kingdom.
Amen.
Saints Club News! Putting our Mercy Values of ‘Service and Compassion’ into
action!
Our focus this term is to support the needy people in our local community and put into action our Mercy Values of ‘Service and Compassion’ into action. The children are excited when cooking muffins and bring smiles on the faces of the Hope Cafe volunteers when they deliver the muffins to them on Thursdays for the night’s dinner!
Dot Mash - RE Leader
Tues-Thurs