Catholic Identity
Mission Day of 7th November
To join with the Church in celebrating Mission Month (October) we are having a Justice and Mission Day on November the 7th. This will be a day of activities and learning about our call to mission, how we can bring about justice in our community, and the work of Catholic Missions around the globe bringing the love of Christ to communities in need and working for social justice.
The 7th of November will be a casual clothes day with the request of a gold coin donation to raise money for Catholic Missions' October appeal.
The day will involve a prayer service, sock ball making, soccer shoot out competition, collaborative problem-solving activities, and activities and learning about peace and justice.
Thank you for all the donations of socks and material for our sock ball making activities.
You're invited:
Grades 3-6 All Saints Mass
Friday 1st November 9:15 am in the Church.
The grade three to six students are joining together to celebrate the feast of All Saints, a day we remember all the holy men and women who have gone before us and the example of discipleship they offer us.
Grade 1 Unit Liturgy
Wednesday 6th of November 12:00 pm in the Church.
The Junior One Unit is gathering for a Liturgy of the Word reflecting on this year's theme of 'grow in the likeness of God'.
Grade 2 Unit Liturgy
Tuesday 12th November 9:15 am - School Oval
The Junior Two Unit is gathering together to celebrate our call to mission, remembering that each of us is invited to share God’s love and make a difference in the world, no matter how big or small.
Gospel for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.
"And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me."
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him. "So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you. "He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
Gospel Reflection
What adjectives would you use to describe Bartimaeus?
Some that come to my mind are:
Vulnerable- Blindness in his day and age left Bartimaeus in a very vulnerable state, unable to work, and an outcast in society.
Exposed - By calling out to Jesus in a public way he was drawing attention to himself, someone the community viewed as a sinner, or a child of sinners, someone who wouldn't in the public's opinion be worthy of Jesus' time and attention.
Persistent - Bartimaeus continued to call upon Jesus, even after the others had rebuked him. He called all the louder in spite of their comments, determined to receive the mercy of God.
Courageous - Acting so publicly, when he was in such a vulnerable position in the community was an act of great courage.
Faith filled - He believed in who Jesus was, and the power of God to heal him. He had faith that what he asked of God would be granted to him.
Bartimaeus' story is a lesson to us all. This encounter with Jesus reminds us that we too need to be vulnerable with God, we need to be ready to expose our struggles and weaknesses to ourselves and our Lord. We need to be courageous and persistent in our faith, knowing that to be Christian, and live openly Christian life is in many ways counter cultural in a society that focuses on individualism and prosperity. We need to act in faith, believing that our God does indeed know and love each of us deeply.
Bartimaeus told Jesus he wanted 'to see'. What is the blindness we experience in our lives, what is it we want to see? This week, let us be vulnerable, courageous and persistent with our God.