Spiritual Connections

Diocesan Theme 2026 – Seek Peace and Pursue It.

Wellsprings Reflection:

A reading from the Gospel of John (4:5-16, 19-26, 39-42)

Jesus came to the Samaritan town called Sychar, near the land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well is there and Jesus, tired by the journey, sat straight down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.

The Samaritan woman said to him, “What? You are a Jew, and you ask me, a Samaritan, for a drink?” – Jews, in fact, do not associate with Samaritans.

Jesus replied: “If you only knew what God is offering and who it is that is saying to you: Give me a drink, you would have been the one to ask, and he would have given you living water.” “You have no bucket, sir,” she answered “and the well is deep: how could you get this living water? Are you a greater man than our father Jacob who gave us this well and drank from it himself with his sons and his cattle?”

Jesus said: “Believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know: for salvation comes from – in fact, it is here already – when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father wants. God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.”

The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah – that is, Christ – is coming; and when he comes, he will tell us everything.” “I who am speaking to you,” said Jesus. “I am he.”

Many Samaritans of that town had believed in him on the strength of the woman’s testimony when she said, “He told me all I have ever done”, so, when the Samaritans came up to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed for two days, and when he spoke to them, many more came to believe; and they said to the woman, “Now we no longer believe because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves, and we know that he really is the Saviour of the world.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Reflection:

This story is appealing on so many levels. Jesus meets a woman in the ordinariness of her day, going to the well to fetch water. Although divine, he gives us a glimpse of his humanity, tired and needing refreshment. Jesus interrupts our thinking and breaks with custom, meeting with a Samaritan woman (much hated by the Jews) and speaking with her alone.

Her response to Jesus is honest. “Why don’t you have your own jug, why are you speaking to me, a Samaritan and a woman alone?” I like her honesty and forthrightness. Perhaps Jesus did too.

Eventually, she realises that this man, promising her the living water is the Messiah, and she runs off to tell fellow Samaritans. Like St Paul, she is transformed by her encounter with Jesus.

God meets us where we are. Where does God meet you today?

What part of your life is thirsting for God’s love?

Sacred Heart 2026 Sacramental Program.

Please keep the following children and their families in your prayers as they prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Alexandra H Ruby D

Mia L Olivia W

Domenic C Maycey B

Stasiya B Nunzio M

Alec M Olivia D

Charlie D Angelina C

Evelyn T Lottie S

School-Led Liturgies:

Once a term, as a school, we are rostered on to lead Sunday parish Mass at 10:30am. There are many jobs to be covered during Mass, such as readings, or bringing up the gifts at offertory time. If families would like to help with these, could you please email me at school and I will arrange for this. Our involvement in weekend liturgies is a great way of connecting with our parish community.

Email: tmcdonald@shtatura.catholic.edu.au

School-Led liturgy date:

Sunday 15th March: 10:30am.

Project Compassion in 2026

The theme for Project Compassion this year is ‘Unite Against Poverty.’

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising appeal - one of the largest in the country. For over 60 years, it has brought together schools, parishes, communities and individuals to reflect, pray and take action, helping to create a more just world for all.

Throughout Lent, we will be raising money to donate to Project Compassion to support families in need, and to build a future for generations to come.

Each classroom will have a Project Compassion Box where children can donate money. At this week’s assembly, members of the Social Justice Leadership Team will launch our school’s fundraising effort for this year.

They will suggest some ways children/families could donate money if they wish:

Children might ask Mum or Dad if they have any spare coins around home or in the car that can be placed in our Project Compassion box.
Children might like to donate a part of their pocket money to project compassion.
Children might offer to do some extra jobs around home to earn some money that can be donated.