R.E. News
Religious Education News - Week 6 Term 3
Religious Education Dates for 2025
Eucharist
- Thursday 23rd October - Eucharist Reflection Day
- Thursday 23rd October - Reconciliation at 11:40am and practise
- Saturday 25th October - Sacrament of First Eucharist mass at 5pm
- Sunday 26th October - Sacrament of First Eucharist mass at 9:30am
Whole School Mass/Events
- Friday 7th November - St Francis Blessing of the animals service from 9am to 9:15am
- Tuesday 11th November - Remembrance Day service at 10:55am
- Thursday 11th December - Year 6 Graduation at 6pm
- Monday 15th December - End of School Mass at 9am - TBC
Confirmation
Congratulations to the following children that received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 16th August
Aston, Oscar, Andrew, Hannah, Cynthia, Ruby, Isabelle, Zane, Lauretta, Noah, Nathaniel, Hudson, Conor, Erik, Jessica, Rhiannon, Leo, Max, Elena, Carla, Lakhi, Luke, Georgia, Kenny, Isabella, Koby, Zara, Jack, Ethan, Mila, Emma, George, Gabriel, Marc, Natalie, Noah and Eva.
Gospel Reflection by Dianne Bergant CSA
The goodness of God is seen in the extravagant generosity with which God gives gifts. This is described in the psalm in the boundlessness and universal scope of God’s generosity. Like the rain that falls on the entire landscape, the blessings of God are showered on all. These blessings are true gifts. They have not been earned, nor can they be repaid. God’s openness is also seen in the reading from the Letter to the Hebrews and in the gospel. All are invited to approach the heavenly city; the heavenly banquet will be open to the poor and to those who have no way of repaying.
Only the humble can receive the gifts of God. Only those who can admit their neediness are open enough to realise that God’s blessings are gifts freely given, not compensation for a job well done. Without a humble spirit we are unable to receive gifts as gifts. This is either because we are too proud or we do not know how to receive with the open hearts of children, who never think that they must return in kind. This is the kind of humility recommended by Sirach. This is the kind of humility possessed by the disadvantaged pictured in the gospel.
As we have received from the bounty of God, so we are called to give to others. Only those who have received with a humble spirit can give with the generosity of God, for they know that they do not deserve God’s goodness and they do not require anything in return.
A quote from Pope Francis
Pope Francis said, "A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just" and "The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness".
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Children’s Liturgy
The reintroduction of Children's Liturgy at St Mark's Church is up and running and looking for more volunteers!
The Children's Liturgy provides a great opportunity for primary aged children to engage with the gospel in a way that is accessible and meaningful to them. It runs every Sunday at the St Mark's 9:30am mass during school terms. At the start of mass the Children’s Liturgy adult leaders take the primary school age children into the hall for a small lesson and activity about the gospel of the day. Parents are welcome to join the session if they would like. If any parents are interested in volunteering to help with the Sunday sessions, please email Andrew Davies - andrew@smdingley.catholic.edu.au