Socktober: Mission Month

October is known as not only the Month of the Holy Rosary, but of Mission! Pope Francis underlines that the mission of the faithful is the same, namely that of "witnessing with one’s own life,” “everyone contributing what they know how to do best.” The Holy Father suggests that, in this way, "we work together in this co-responsibility." Together we have the power to create a just world.

Socktober is an intiative run by Catholic Mission that engages Australian students to make a difference by raising awareness and funds for mission programs that support disadvantaged and vulnerable children across the world. This year St Patrick's School will be raising awareness and funds for children in Mongolia. The Social Justice Team has arranged a Socktober Day (Week 4 Monday 28th October) where students may wear crazy socks and bring a gold coin donation. Competitions such as play time soccer tournaments, guess the weight of the soccer ball and make your own recyclable soccer ball will also be a part of the day's events with prizes to be won. In our classrooms we will be learning about how our funds make an impact on the poor children of Mongolia and how we can keep them in our prayers. For more information, visit https://www.socktober.org.au/

Reconciliation

Pope Francis describes the sacraments as opportunities for us to meet Jesus and develop a personal relationship with him. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a Sacrament of healing. Jesus has shown us that God is a God of mercy and love who is always ready to forgive us. The focus of this Sacrament is on the constant truth of God’s faithfulness in love and forgiveness for the times we fail and need forgiveness.

The Year 2s are well on their way journeying through their Sacramental Program learning through scripture and prayer. Next week they will participate in a retreat day, followed by a visit from our Parish Priest Fr Justin, their Family Committment Mass and Faith Sharing Afternoon. We ask that you keep the students in your prayers as they grow in their faith during their Sacramental journey.

Important Dates:

Monday 14th October @ 8:45am - 3:15pm: Reconciliation Retreat Day.

Tuesday 22nd October @ 3.30pm - 4.30pm: Family Faith Sharing Afternoon.

Saturday 26th October @ 6pm - 7pm: Family Commitment Mass.

Tuesday October 29th @ 2.30pm - 3:00pm: Prayer Service - all parents are welcome to attend to pray for their child and show their support before they make their first Reconciliation.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION - Tuesday October 29th from 4:30-5:30pm: Bookings available via SOBS this Friday.

Gospel

Mark 10:17-30

A rich young man ons asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life.

Unpacking the Scriptures

In this Sunday's Gospel of Mark, an unnamed man, known as 'a rich young man' approaches Jesus and asks what he must do to obtain eternal life. Jesus replies that he must follow the 10 commandments of the Law of Moses. The man responds that he has done so since he has been a child, and Jesus points out that one thing is missing: he must give his possessions to the poor and follow Jesus. In other words, he must detach himself from the material world and put God fist. The rich young man leaves in sadness as Mark tells us he had many possessions. He wasn't prepared to let go of his wealth.

During Jesus' time, eternal life was a recent belief and not shared by everyone. There were different Jewish sects. The Pharisees taught that there would be a resurrection from the dead; however the Sadducees did not. Jesus taught that there would be a final judgment for everyone and eternal life for believers.

Throughout history, Christians have taken Jesus' teaching to leave everything behind literally. Their example witnesses to us a radical commitment to the Gospel. Others have interpreted the word possessions as those things that prevent one from following Jesus.

The second requirement Jesus makes of this man is the invitation for all disciples: “follow me.” We believe that the Christian faith is one in which each believer is in a personal relationship with Jesus. Just as this Gospel tells us that Jesus loves the man and is sad when he departs, so too, Jesus loves us and is saddened when we are unable to follow him.

Family Connection

Today’s Gospel might make us uncomfortable about our possessions. This discomfort offers us an opportunity to consider all that we have and our committment to the poor around us. Discuss as a family what are the things in your house that you no longer need or use? What might you do with these things? Material possessions are good and a necessity in our culture but our attitude towards them is a choice. It is a choice we can make with the awareness that our faith in Jesus commits us to show our care for the poor.

Pray

Gather together, light a candle and acknowledge that you are in the presence of God in a moment of silence. Read the Gospel Mark 10:17-30. Discuss the warning about material possessions that Jesus gives in this Gospel. How does this make you feel? Choose an action that helps your family show its commitment to the poor. Conclude by praying together the Peace Prayer of St Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life,

Amen.

God bless,

India Mitchell-Fletcher

Religious Education Leader

Community Information

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