Religious Education

Hello!

Fr Ian update 

On Sunday 31st of May, Fr Ian will be celebrating his retirement, Golden Jubilee and final Parish Mass at St. Finbar's church at 10am. This will be followed by a morning tea in the school hall.  Everyone is welcome! For catering and space purposes, please indicate if you wish to join by filling in the google form here

Could we all please keep Fr Ian in our prayers as he has been unwell due to a fall which has left him with a broken eye socket. He is recovering at home and we look forward to celebrating his retirement and Golden Jubilee very soon. 

Fr Ian will also be at our school assembly on Friday 12th of June where we will come together as a school community to thank him for all this hard work and dedication that he has put into our school and parish over the last 10 years. He has been a wonderful Parish priest and a positive faith leader to many. 

Year 1 Mass and Prayers in Pyjamas 

Last Wednesday we held our Year 1 Prayers in Pyjamas Evening, where students arrived at school in their pyjamas alongside their families to take part in a range of rotational activities, sharing their learning faith together. In class, students had been learning about the Parable of the Mustard Seed, and it was wonderful to see this understanding reflected in their activities. 

We then welcomed all Year 1 families to Mass on Saturday evening to celebrate our faith together as a community with Fr Trac and our parishioners. It was special to hear our Year 1 students read and finish Mass with a beautiful song on the altar. 

Thank you to all our Year 1 students and families for their involvement, and a sincere thank you to our wonderful Year 1 teachers, Miss Happell and Miss Cochrane for their preparation and support in making these experiences so meaningful.

Gospel Reflection - Sunday 24th of May 

Sunday's Gospel

John 20:19-23

Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Family Connection

The Season of Easter concludes with today’s celebration, the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today’s first reading. The account in today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Yet the event in John’s Gospel takes place on Easter Sunday. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts. It is enough that we know that after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.

In the context of the Feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ act of breathing the Holy Spirit mirrors God’s act of breathing life into Adam at the time of Creation. In fact, both the Greek and Hebrew words for “spirit” can also be translated as “breath.”

This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiving of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.

Family Discussion 

After reading Sunday's gospel, discuss the following: 

• What do you think it means that Jesus gives the disciples the gift of peace? Where do we experience peace in our family life?
• Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” What do you think Jesus is sending us to do today, in our home, school and community?
• What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence, wonder and awe) and which of these gifts do you see in each member of your family? 
• Which gift would you like to grow in yourself?
• The Gospel links the Holy Spirit with forgiveness and reconciliation. Why is it important to say sorry and forgive each other in a family? How does this help bring peace?

Family prayer for Pentecost

Finish by saying the prayer below, together.

May God bless, 

Laura Zeeng

Deputy Principal & Relgious Education Leader (REL)