Education in Faith

Sacramental Dates for 2025

Parents please check the following dates:

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 20th November 2025.
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Reconciliation: baptised Catholics in Year 2.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

As we approach the final Sundays of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to reflect on ultimate things what truly matters, what lasts, and what fades away. 

The readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, is a Call to Perseverance and it places us near the close of the liturgical year and focus our attention on the end times both the ultimate end of the world and the "mini-apocalypses" we experience in our own lives. Far from being a message of doom, this Sunday offers a powerful call to endurance and hope in the face of inevitable challenges.

Endings and New Beginnings

The First Reading (Malachi 3:19-20a) and the Gospel (Luke 21:5-19) both speak of a great day of judgment and upheaval. Malachi warns of a "day... blazing like an oven" for the proud and evildoers, but promises that for those who "fear God's name," the "sun of justice with its healing rays" will arise. This foreshadows Christ who brings light and healing amidst the darkness.

God Is Near in Difficult Times

Malachi gives us a beautiful image: “For you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.”

No matter how dark the world seems, God’s justice, mercy, and healing will prevail.This is the Christian hope: Christ is the beginning and the end, and He holds us in every moment in between.

Jesus also speaks honestly about hardship, fear, and uncertainty. But He doesn’t leave His followers alone. He promises: “I will give you words and a wisdom… not a hair of your head will perish.”

This is not a promise that life will always be easy, but that God will always be present. When we face challenges, family worries, school pressures, friendship conflicts, Christ stands beside us, offering strength, clarity, and courage.

Working with Diligence and Hope

The Second Reading (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12) provides a concrete instruction for how to live in this "in-between" time, the time between Christ's first coming and his return. St. Paul encourages believers not to grow lazy or discouraged but urges the community to work quietly and earn their keep, imitating his own diligence. We live our faith not only in church, but in daily choices: kindness, responsibility, patience, and service. Even when good deeds seem unnoticed or difficult, Paul reminds us: Don’t give up.Perseverance, faithfulness over time, is a powerful Christian witness.

He condemns those who are "not keeping busy but minding the business of others."

This reading reminds us that waiting for the Lord's return is not a passive activity of idleness or fear-driven obsession with the future. It is an active calling to faithful stewardship of our time, talents, and treasure, seeking to build up God's Kingdom in the present moment through honest labour and focused attention on our own responsibilities.

In the Gospel, Jesus predicts the destruction of the glorious Temple in Jerusalem and warns his disciples of future wars, natural disasters, and persecution. Jesus reminds them that even the most impressive structures will one day crumble. It is a gentle reminder for us: the world around us changes, and the things we often cling to such as success, possessions, popularity won’t last forever. But God’s love does.

His words are meant not to frighten, but to prepare them and us for tribulation. He concludes with the promise, "By your perseverance you will secure your lives." This is the core message: our faith is proven not when things are easy, but when our world seems to be crumbling around us.

Discussion Starters

Facing Difficulty: Jesus warns that disciples will face persecution, betrayal, and hatred because of his name. How have you experienced "persecution" (even small-scale ridicule or criticism) for your faith? How did you respond?

The Promise of Perseverance: The Gospel promises, "By your perseverance you will secure your lives." What does "perseverance" look like in your daily life, in your prayer, work, or relationships? What gives you the spiritual strength to "resist to stop" believing in Jesus when life is hard?

The Call to Work: St. Paul urges believers to "work quietly and to eat their own food." How does this message challenge modern attitudes toward work, rest, and responsibility? How can we ensure our "work" is a form of Christian witness and not just a worldly preoccupation?

• What are some things in life that last forever, and what are things that don’t?
• When have you felt God helping you during a difficult moment?
• What small good deeds can you keep doing even when they feel hard or unnoticed?
• How does Jesus’ promise “I will be with you” make you feel?
• Why do you think Jesus tells the disciples not to be afraid of troubling events?
• What gives you hope during times of uncertainty or change?
• Paul says we shouldn’t “grow weary of doing good.” What situations make this difficult today?
• What is one way you can bring “healing” or hope to someone this week?
• What temples, symbols of stability have fallen in your own life? What did you learn?
• Where do you see God’s faithfulness in moments of suffering or transition?
• How can we cultivate perseverance rather than discouragement in our spiritual lives?
• Where does our community need the “sun of righteousness” to bring healing and justice?

God Bless 

Rozeta Ambrose

Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

The total House points for each House so far:

Bosco is still in the lead!! Well done Bosco!!  Will they still be winning next week?? 

SFS CHRISTMAS APPEAL COMING SOON!

Mini Vinnies are eagerly getting ready for our next major event of the year, the SFS Christmas Appeal. This year each Home Group will be given a family that they are putting together a hamper for and our Giving Trees will go up in each Learning Space. Mini Vinnies will discuss where they would like the Christmas presents to go to and we will let you know in the next newsletter.

Giuliana

Mini Vinnies Facilitator

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au