Education in Faith

Our Altar Servers

Congratulations to Paloma, Noah and Rachael who assisted at the altar for the very first time today at our Mass to celebrate the Feast Day of Mary Mackillop! 

Your dedication and reverence made the Mass truly special. Thank you for serving with such care and enthusiasm—you’ve taken an important step in your faith journey, and we’re so proud of you. 

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

This weekend’s readings invite us to a profound reflection on faith, hope, and the virtue of readiness. 

We are called to live our lives with a deep sense of anticipation, not of fear, but of joyful expectation for the coming of the Lord.

The Gospel passage from Luke opens with Jesus affectionately calling his disciples a "little flock" and assuring them, "Do not be afraid, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." 

This is a powerful, comforting message. Our ultimate destination is not something we earn through our own efforts, but a gift freely given by God. This gift, however, requires our active participation. Jesus immediately follows this with a call to detach ourselves from earthly possessions, urging us to "sell your belongings and give alms" to secure a "treasure in heaven that will not fail." 

This isn't a command to live in poverty, but a challenge to reorient our hearts. Where our treasure is, there our heart will be. If our focus is on earthly security, our hearts will be tied down. If our focus is on God's kingdom, our hearts are already living in it.

Jesus then tells a parable about servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding feast. The master's return is unexpected, but the servants are told to be ready at any moment, with their lamps lit and their loins girt. This image of "girding one's loins" is an ancient one, meaning to be prepared for a long journey or hard work. It's a call to active readiness, not passive waiting. The most surprising part of the parable is the reward: the master finds the vigilant servants, seats them at the table, and personally serves them. This is a radical reversal of roles, a beautiful image of the banquet we are promised in heaven.

The second part of the Gospel, in the longer version, focuses on a faithful steward who is put in charge of the master's household. This serves as a warning against complacency and abuse of power. Peter asks if the parable is for them - the Apostles, or for everyone. Jesus' response implies that all of us are entrusted with gifts and responsibilities, and to whom much is given, much will be expected. We are all stewards of God's grace and blessings, and we will be held accountable for how we have used them.

The Second Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews beautifully complements this theme of readiness by defining faith itself: "Faith is the realisation of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." It presents Abraham as a model of this vigilant faith. Abraham went on a journey "without knowing where he was to go," simply because he trusted in God's promise. He was looking forward to a "city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Abraham's story reminds us that our faith is not just a belief in the past, but a living, active trust in the future promises of God, even when we cannot see them.

Ultimately, today's liturgy is a message of hope and an invitation to an active, vigilant faith. We are not to be anxious or fearful, but to live with confidence, knowing that God has already given us the kingdom. 

Our task is to live as faithful stewards of that gift, with our hearts set on heaven and our lamps lit, ready to welcome the Lord with joy whenever he arrives.

Discussion Starters

• Readiness and Anxiety: Jesus tells us not to be afraid and to be ready for his coming. How can we be "ready" without being anxious or worried about when the end will come?
• Treasure and Heart: Jesus says, "For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." What are some of the things you find yourself "treasuring" in your life right now? How can you work to place your heart's treasure more firmly in heaven?
• Stewards of God's Gifts: The Gospel speaks about the responsibility of a steward. What gifts has God given you (e.g., time, talents, money, relationships)? How can you use these gifts to serve others and build up the Kingdom of God?
• Abraham's Faith: The reading from Hebrews highlights Abraham's faith as a journey into the unknown. Have there been times in your life when you've had to trust God without knowing the outcome? What did you learn from that experience?
• A Servant's Reward: In the parable, the master serves the faithful servants. What does this radical reversal of roles teach us about God and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven?

Sacramental Dates for 2025

Parents please check the following dates

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 20th November 2025.
• Grade 6 will receive Confirmation – Term 3 on Saturday, 6th September 2025.

Reconciliation: baptised Catholics in Year 2.

Eucharist: baptised Catholics in Year 3 or who have celebrated their Reconciliation.

Confirmation: Year 6 Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

If you have any further questions regarding your child receiving these Sacraments, please feel free to contact me at the school.

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose

Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

The total House points for each House:

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

MONDAY ACTION TEAM MINI VINNIES

Mini Vinnies were busy getting ready for our Soup & Chat Night, writing to invite guest speakers to tell us a bit more about what they do to help those people facing challenges within our community. Students attending the Conference were busy completing their presentation.

MINI VINNIES SOUP & CHAT NIGHT

Yes, the Mini Vinnies Soup and Chat Night is on again next term on Tuesday August 26th. The permission note has now been placed on Operoo. I ask parents to please respond, listing any dietary requirements your child may have. 

There is also a fundraising aspect to this evening. Sponsorship forms have been sent home with Mini Vinnies and is also available as an attachment on Operoo. I am asking Mini Vinnies to ask family and friends for donations. On the Soup and Chat Evening, Mini Vinnies will decide what organisation the money raised is donated to, in order to assist those that maybe experiencing homelessness at the moment. Last year it was donated to Ozanam House, the previous year to the Vinnies Soup vans. 

I have also sent out an Operoo notification asking for parent assistance to provide various donations for the evening: soup, cups, spoons, bread rolls, margarine, fruit and also to help serve on the night. I will contact parents who have offered to assist or donate items the week before to confirm your assistance. A big thank you to parents who are able to help as we wouldn’t be able to run this night without your assistance.

A big thank you also to the staff who have already volunteered to stay behind and assist on the evening.

This evening will also be an action for the Mini Vinnies Action team as they will assist in planning and running the evening.

Giuliana

Mini Vinnies Facilitator

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au