Catholic Identity
PRAYER
Next Sunday we celebrate the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The readings focus on the Ascension of Jesus and the community preparing for the Holy Spirit. Below is the Gospel that you will hear at Mass, which comes from St Matthew. Families might like to read this together prior to going to Mass and reflect on these questions:
- How many Disciples appear in the painting above and why do you think it is this number?
- What other significant events in the bible took place on a mountain?
- Can you find the line in the text that refers to the words of the ‘Sign of the Cross’ that we say before praying?
- Which Sacrament is Jesus asking the Disciples to offer to the world?
Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commandments I gave to you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’
PARISH NEWS
Recently the Parish farewelled Fr James Baptist at Mass on Sunday 3rd May. As a school we thank Fr James for his support over the past couple of years. We welcome a new Assistant Priest to St Andrew’s, Fr Marydas Arackal Francis. St John’s looks forward to working together with Fr Marydas and we will keep him in our prayers as he begins this new ministry.
COMMUNITY MASS
Our next Community Mass will be held on May 23rd where we will join St Andrew’s Parish for their 6:00pm Saturday Evening Mass @ St Andrew’s Church Werribee. At this Mass, our Year 4 students who will receive their First Holy Communion in June, will be presented to Parishioners.
Below is a list of the remaining Mass dates for the year, we look forward to seeing many of our families there:
Saturday 23rd May
Saturday 25th July
Saturday 22nd August
Saturday 24th October
Saturday 28th November
SACRAMENTAL DATES TERM 2 & 3
Below are our Sacramental Dates for the remainder of the year. These dates are particularly important for Baptised Catholic students in Years 4 & 6:
Sacrament of Eucharist
- Thursday May 28th Family Meeting @ St John’s School Hall
- Thursday June 4th First Holy Communion 7:00pm @ St Andrew’s Church Werribee
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