Faith and Mission

This week marks the launch of the LifeLink Secondary Schools Appeal, an initiative of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, which invites students to learn about and support the work of LifeLink. Earlier this year, our primary students also participated in the Primary Schools Launch, ensuring that our whole College community is engaged in this important ministry.

Established in 1994, LifeLink provides vital fundraising support for ten Church welfare agencies that care for thousands of families and individuals in need each year across Western Australia. These agencies include The Shopfront, Identitywa, Centrecare, the Emmanuel Centre, and Daydawn Advocacy Centre, among others. Guided by faith and compassion, their services range from meals and emergency relief, to counselling, housing support, disability services, and advocacy for those experiencing disadvantage.

At John XXIII College, our community is proud to play its part in supporting this ministry. In Term 2, students took part in Comfy Day, where funds raised go directly to LifeLink agencies. Our secondary students also contribute through the 1000 Meals Project, preparing meals for Shopfront after school on their House Day, while staff regularly volunteer their time to provide meals and hospitality for Shopfront at the Cathedral. Meanwhile, our primary students support Shopfront with Muffin Mondays.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe reminds us of the deeper meaning of this work:

Through your support of LifeLink you are reaching out with love and compassion to help our brothers and sisters in need and in doing so walking in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd.

Through these initiatives, our College community is not only raising funds but also living out our call to 'Seek Justice.' We are grateful to our students, staff, and families for their generosity and commitment to walking alongside those in need. Together, with LifeLink, we can and do make a difference.

If you would like to make a donation or gain more information about LifeLink and its agencies, please visit www.lifelink.com.au.

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Community Mass

Next Friday, 29 August, Year 9 students are preparing the Mass. Thank you to Year 8 students for your beautiful preparation of today’s liturgy. Everyone is welcome at Community Mass – whether you are new or a regular, and no matter what year group is preparing the liturgy. Just be at the Chapel for an 8:00am start. Mass concludes around 8:30am.

Friday 5 September, Mass will commence at the earlier time of 7:30am and will be celebrated in the St Louis Sports Centre, as we recognise and give thanks for fathers and father-figures in our community.

If you would like to volunteer or have any questions about Community Mass, please contact Mary-Anne Lumley.

Community Mass details

College Chapel
Fridays in term time
Starts at 8:00am concludes at 8:30am.

Sacraments

Confirmation

This coming Monday, 25 August, is the closing date for enrolling in the sacrament of Confirmation in the parish of Cottesloe. Here is the link for registration.

And let us remember in our prayer students in Year 6 who, with their families, will celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation in local parishes in the coming weeks.

Further information provided by some local parishes is here.

To find contact details for any parish in the Perth Archdiocese, go to this link.

Parents often have questions about the Sacrament program, so don’t be afraid to ask.

The parish priest or sacrament coordinator is the best point of contact for sacraments in a specific parish. For any general enquiries about the sacrament program, contact Mary-Anne Lumley mary-anne.lumley@johnxxiii.edu.au or via phone on 08 9383 0513

Good News for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings for this Sunday are challenging yet filled with promise. The short reflection is by Sister of Mercy, Renee Yann.

The Book of Isaiah … is the story of the displacement and restoration of [God’s people]. The reading from Isaiah, combined with the Luke symbol of the narrow gate, strike a powerful message for us – as individuals, as Church, as global citizens. There is one Kingdom in God and we all are invited to it.

‘I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.’

But we will find our way to this Kingdom by the twists of suffering and compassion,

living on one side or the other of that reciprocal throughout our lives.

How we support, include, love and minister with one another in our own ‘displacement’ determines our ‘restoration’:

‘And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last’

We know the works of mercy and our call to live them. Let’s pray for the strength to do so fully and joyfully. Let’s pray for all nations, especially our own, to respond in mercy and hope to the displaced people of our time, knowing that it is only with them that we shall find the narrow gate.