Gospel Reading

John 20:19-23

Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers. We can be peacemakers by taking care of relationships, just as we took care of the hearts by putting them back together. The risen Jesus greeted his disciples with words of peace. Jesus gave the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them spread his message of peace and forgiveness. We can pray to the Holy Spirit to help and guide us.

When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his Resurrection, his first words to them were a greeting of peace. This was welcome news to the disciples. Let’s read today’s Gospel to find out why this was such welcome news.

As witnesses to Jesus’ death, the disciples had been very much a part of a situation of conflict. They gathered together in fear, perhaps because they thought that some people would seek their deaths as well. They needed to hear Jesus’ words of peace and reassurance. Just as Jesus sent his disciples to forgive the sins of others, so too are we sent to bring peace to the world. And we also have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us with this task.

Pentecost Sunday

As we approach Pentecost Sunday, I wanted to take a moment to share the significance of this special day with our school community.

Pentecost Sunday commemorates the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ, empowering them with divine guidance and inspiration. It marks the birth of the Christian Church and is a time of joyous celebration and renewal of faith.

At St Peter's, we honour Pentecost Sunday as a reminder of the spiritual strength and guidance that we receive through our faith. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and unity as we come together to embrace the teachings of love, compassion, and kindness.

May this Pentecost Sunday bring blessings of peace, hope, and joy to each and every one of you.

Thank you to all parents and students who participated in both our Eucharist Workshops.

Prayer for our Eucharist Candidates as they prepare to walk to the table of the Lord.

Lord Jesus, bless our students who are preparing to receive Holy Communion for the first time. May it be an initial step into a life-long love of the Eucharist. Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship. Thank you for their innocence and goodness. May their hands, extended in anticipation of your Body and Blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred sacrament.

Parish / Presentation Mass for Confirmation Candidates

Dear Parents/ Carers,

This Sunday, 19th May, the students from Year 5-6 B & C are rostered to participate in the 9.00 am Parish Mass. All students from these grades are invited to attend with their families. This is also a Presentation Mass for our Confirmation Candidates who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, 17th November.

The students will be involved in a variety of jobs before and after Mass, so it is important that they are present by 8:50 am. Families are invited to bring a plate of morning tea to share with parishioners and friends. Please bring the shared morning tea on a disposable plate or in a clearly named container to the parish hall before 9:00 am. We ask that no food containing nuts be brought.

Thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers who have agreed to coordinate morning tea for us:

Josep Haryono – 0416 139 135 – haryono.josep@gmail.com

Vianny The – 0416 063 627 – vianny.the21@gmail.com

Jessica Huynh – 0432 788 789 – hbphung@hotmail.com

Joanna & Cherry Belaniso – 0431 543 385 – jmcesma@yahoo.com

Nop Le – 0435 922 227 – Nop.le@hotmail.com

Please contact any one of them to let them know what you will be bringing or if you have any questions.

This is a wonderful initiative to build partnerships between the families and students of St Peter’s Primary School and the parishioners of St Peter’s Parish Church. It is also a school expectation that is a part of our curriculum and brings us together as a Parish and School Community. Parents are expected to be with their children during the Mass. I am looking forward to seeing you all there.

Kind regards,

Mrs Chamberlain, Mrs Bowen and Mrs DeVisser

Iris DeVisser

Learning and Teaching Leader, Religious Education Leader &

Acting Deputy Principal

iris.devisser@spclayton.catholic.edu.au

St. Peter's Primary School Newsletter

Issue 8 · 16 May 2024

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