Our Faith - Religion - Prayer
St Patrick's Church Walcha
For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.
Monsignor Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.
Term 3 Mass Dates
*Friday 20th September (tomorrow): Mass and Blessed Exposition at 11.30am
Reflection
Tomorrow, the Church commemorates the lives and sacrifices of St. Andrew Kim Taegŏn, St. Paul Chŏng Hasang, and their companions, a group of 103 Korean martyrs who gave their lives for their faith in the 19th century. This feast day honours their steadfast courage, deep faith, and the enduring legacy of their witness in the face of persecution.
The introduction of Christianity to Korea in the late 18th century was unique, as it began not through the work of foreign missionaries but by Korean laypeople who encountered Catholic teachings through Chinese writings. This new faith spread rapidly among the Korean population, despite facing severe opposition from the ruling Confucian authorities who saw it as a threat to the established social order.
By the early 19th century, the fledgling Christian community was growing, and the need for ordained clergy became apparent. St. Andrew Kim Taegŏn, born into a noble family that converted to Catholicism, became the first native Korean priest. After being baptized at 15, he journeyed to Macau to study for the priesthood. Upon his return to Korea, he worked tirelessly to evangelize and support the Christian community, often in secret due to the danger of persecution.
St. Andrew Kim Taegŏn's ministry was cut tragically short when he was arrested for his faith. Despite enduring torture and threats, he refused to renounce Christianity and was ultimately executed in 1846 at the age of 25. His courage and unwavering commitment to his faith made him a powerful symbol of the Christian witness in Korea.
St. Paul Chŏng Hasang, a lay catechist and one of the key figures in the early Korean Church, was another notable martyr. Born into a devout Catholic family, he dedicated his life to spreading the faith and advocating for the ordination of Korean clergy. He wrote letters to the Pope requesting the sending of missionaries and the establishment of a local clergy in Korea. Like St. Andrew Kim, St. Paul Chŏng Hasang was also martyred for his faith in 1839, after refusing to renounce his beliefs despite severe persecution.
Alongside St. Andrew Kim and St. Paul Chŏng, many other laypeople, including men, women, and children, suffered martyrdom. These martyrs came from all walks of life—nobles, farmers, scholars, and servants—united by their faith in Christ. They were canonized by Pope John Paul II during his visit to South Korea in 1984, recognizing their sacrifices and solidifying their legacy as pillars of the Korean Church.
Let us give God thanks for the many faithful Catholics in today's Korea.
Prayer
God of grace and wisdom,
you continually raise up good people
who show with their lives
that they follow a holy and loving God.
Let our lives be true
to all that our faith teaches,
so that we will grow more and more
in your son's likeness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Celebration of Mass and the Blessed Exposition, tomorrow, Friday 20th September at 11.30am
All students and staff members from St Patrick's will gather to celebrate Mass and the Blessed Exposition tomorrow, Friday, September 20th, immediately following the official opening and blessing of our new playground at 11:30 am. We warmly invite everyone to partake in this celebration.
First Reconciliation
The parish will have six students from St Patrick's who will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Friday 1st November after Mass. The preparation program commenced earlier this week.
Should you have any questions or inquiries regarding the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Hyatt.
Sacrament Dates for 2024
2024 First Reconciliation: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Years 2 and 3 for Friday 1st November 2024.
Catherine McAuley
Catherine’s spirituality was centred on the mercy of God…prayer in action…action in prayer.