Catholic Identity  

St. Kilian's Feast Day – Celebrating Our Story 

On Thursday 16 July, we will come together as a school community to celebrate St. Kilian's Feast Day. 

Feast Day is a special opportunity for us to celebrate the rich history, faith and community that make St. Kilian's such a special place. Named after St. Kilian, an Irish missionary known for his courage, faith and commitment to sharing God's love, our school and parish have been at the heart of Catholic education and faith in Bendigo for generations. 

As we gather to celebrate, we honour the many students, families, staff, clergy and parishioners who have helped shape the St. Kilian's story over more than 150 years. We also celebrate the community we are today and the important role each of us plays in continuing that legacy for future generations. 

Families are warmly invited to join us for our Feast Day Mass at 9:15am in St. Kilian's Church. Following Mass, parents, carers, grandparents and family members are invited to stay for a morning tea. This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together, connect with other families and reflect on what makes our St. Kilian's community so special. 

Feast Day Schedule 

We look forward to celebrating this special day together and giving thanks for the faith, learning and community that continue to make St. Kilian's a place where all can flourish. 

Gospel Reflection 

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Summary  

Jesus tells a story about a farmer who plants good wheat in his field. During the night, an enemy secretly plants weeds among the wheat. When the plants begin to grow, the workers want to pull out the weeds straight away. But the farmer tells them to wait until harvest time because pulling out the weeds too early might also damage the good wheat. 

Jesus explains that the wheat represents people who choose to follow God, while the weeds represent the things that can lead people away from Him. At the end of time, God will separate good from evil. Until then, we are called to keep growing in goodness, kindness and faith. 

Scripture – Matthew 13:24-43 

Jesus put another parable before the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?” “Some enemy has done this” he answered. And the servants said, “Do you want us to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”

He put another parable before them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and shelter in its branches.’ 

He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.’ 

In all this Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables; indeed, he would never speak to them except in parables. This was to fulfil the prophecy: 

I will speak to you in parables and expound things hidden since the foundation of the world. 

Then, leaving the crowds, he went to the house; and his disciples came to him and said, ‘Explain the parable about the darnel in the field to us.’ He said in reply, ‘The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the evil one; the enemy who sowed them, the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels. Well then, just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!’ 

Reflection 

Sometimes it can be frustrating when people make poor choices or when life feels unfair. We might wonder why bad things happen or why people who aren't kind seem to get away with it. 

Jesus reminds us that everyone is still growing. Just like a garden, people need time, patience and care. Instead of spending all our time worrying about other people's mistakes, Jesus wants us to focus on becoming the best version of ourselves. Every kind word, every helpful action, every time we forgive someone or include another person, we are growing like good wheat. 

As a family, we can help each other grow by encouraging one another, showing patience when someone makes a mistake, and remembering that God never gives up on us. 

• What is one way I can grow as a kinder or more loving person this week?  
• When someone makes a mistake, how can I show them patience instead of getting angry?  
• How can our family help each other grow closer to God through our words and actions? 

Prayer 

Loving God, 

Thank You for loving us and helping us grow each day. Help us to choose kindness, patience and forgiveness, even when it is difficult. Teach us not to judge others too quickly, but to encourage one another and trust in Your love. May our family grow together in faith and become people who bring goodness, hope and joy to everyone we meet. 

Amen. 

Class Masses 

Each Friday, one of our classes attends the 12:10pm parish Mass at St Kilian’s Church, with our Pastoral Care Group also attending the First Friday Anointing Mass each month. 

Students are encouraged to actively participate in the Mass through roles such as readers, altar servers, and bringing forward the gifts. These experiences help students grow in confidence and deepen their understanding of the Mass and Catholic traditions. 

This initiative is also a valuable way of continuing to strengthen the connection between our parish and school communities, while encouraging students to take an active role in faith and community life.