R.E. News

Religious Education News - Week 6 Term 1

Religious Education Dates for 2024

RE DATES:

Reconciliation

Wednesday 20th March - Sacrament of Reconciliation Parent/Child Information Night at 6pm
Wednesday 22nd May - Sacrament of Reconciliation - 6pm

Confirmation

Wednesday 5th June - Confirmation Information Night - 6pm
Saturday 15th June - Confirmation Commitment Mass - 6pm
Friday 14th June- Confirmation Reflection Day
Thursday 22nd August - Confirmation Reconciliation service - 11:40am
Bishop visit - Thursday 15th August at 2pm
Saturday 24th August - Sacrament of Confirmation – 1pm and 3pm

Eucharist

Thursday 31st July - First Eucharist Parent/Child Information Night at 6pm
Saturday 10th August – First Eucharist Commitment Mass – 6pm
Wednesday 23rd October - Eucharist Reflection Day
Thursday 24th October - Reconciliation at 11:40am and practise
Saturday 26th October - Sacrament of First Eucharist mass at 6pm
Sunday 27th October - Sacrament of First Eucharist mass at 9:30am

Whole School Mass/Events

Friday 15th March - Year 6 leaders attending the Catholic Ed Week mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Friday 22nd March - Harmony Day
Thursday 28th March - Easter paraliturgy at 12:45pm
Wednesday 24th April - St Mark’s Feast Day mass at 2:25pm and activities all day
Friday 17th May - Family Week mass at 2:25pm and activities during the day
Friday 31st May - Reconciliation Week liturgy and activities
Friday 28th June - Naidoc Week assembly (1pm)
Thursday 15th August - Feast of the Assumption Mass at 9am
Friday 25th October - St Francis Blessing of the animals service from 9am to 9:15am
Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day service at 10:55am
Thursday 12th December - Year 6 Graduation at 6pm
Friday 13th December - End of School Mass at 9am

50th Anniversary celebration activities

Wednesday 24th April - St Mark’s Feast Day mass at 2:25pm and activities on the day
Photo of whole school - Wednesday 22nd May 9.30 a.m.

Junior Information Nights

Preps in Pyjamas – Wednesday 19th June at 6pm
Year 1/2 Good Shepherd Night – Wednesday 7th August (6pm)

Children’s Liturgy

Wonderful news! The reintroduction of Children's Liturgy at St Mark's Church sounds like a great opportunity for the young members of the community to engage with the gospel in a way that is accessible and meaningful to them. It will be at every Sunday 9:30am mass. At the start of mass the Children’s Liturgy adult leader will take the primary school age children into the hall for a small lesson and activity about the gospel of the day. Parents are welcome to join the session if they would like. If any parents would be interested in volunteering to help with the Sunday sessions, please email Andrew Davies - andrew@smdingley.catholic.edu.au

Gospel Reflection

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Exodus 20:1–17 I 1 Corinthians 1:22–25 I John 2:13–25

If the world is one great classroom, then God is a fantastic teacher. We have all had experience of this: the firm and gentle way that God opens our minds and helps us to understand.

Today’s readings show three different ways that God tries to get through to us. In the first reading, God sets some clear expectations for behaviour. They are all based around respect, both for the teacher and for those with whom we share the class! At the same time, God reminds us ‘I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the house of slavery.’ In other words, these are not random rules. They are designed to protect our deepest freedom. Disregarding them sends us back into captivity.

In the Gospel, Jesus is annoyed by people who think they know everything but who have not properly understood the basic lesson about justice and reverence. ‘Stop turning my father’s house into a market.’ Finally, St Paul speaks about wisdom. ‘God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.’ This is another style again: inviting us into a mystery, almost using riddles to get us to think outside the box.