Welcome to Term 4

Dear Families,

I hope that you have all had a wonderful break and are ready to participate in our final term of this year with so many events occurring both in Religious Education and across the school. At the end of this page I have included some very important dates for our students and families so please lock them into your calendars and reach out if you have any questions at all.

Sunday's Gospel - Matthew 21:33-43

This week’s Gospel featured the parable of the landowner and the vineyard—a story Jesus told in Jerusalem to religious leaders questioning His authority. Using the familiar Scriptural image of the vineyard to represent God’s relationship with His people, Jesus highlights the consequences of rejecting God's messengers and His Son.

Ultimately, this passage asks us to consider what we do with what God entrusts to us. We are blessed with gifts, loved ones, opportunities, and a beautiful world. Our calling is to receive these gifts with gratitude, nurture them faithfully and share their goodness with those around us.

Some things we might wonder about together:

🌿 What has God entrusted to me that I can care for?

🌿 How do I show that I am grateful for the gifts I have been given?

🌿 What happens when we forget that what we have is not just for ourselves?

🌿 How can we be good 'caretakers' of our family, our friendships, our school and our world?

🌿 I wonder what Jesus might be asking us to notice in this story?

Perhaps this week we can look for the little 'vineyards' in our own lives and this could include the people, places and gifts that have been entrusted to our care.

“How am I helping them to grow?”

Celebrating our newly Baptised Students

Congratulations to our students who were baptised over the school holidays by Fr Dispin. It was a beautiful celebration and a wonderful opportunity for our community to witness the rich symbolism and traditions of the Sacrament of Baptism.

Whilst many of our students were baptised as babies, we also have the option of allowing older students begin making this choice for themselves. They have shared why being part of the Catholic Church and our Catholic school community is important to them, and we are so proud of the faith journey they are beginning.

It was also very special to see two of our teachers, Ms Stuart and Marisa, take on the role of Godmothers. Their presence is a beautiful reminder that faith is nurtured through the people who walk alongside us, encourage us and help us to grow.

We pray that our newly baptised students will continue to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus, surrounded by their families, Godparents, friends and our school community. May their Baptism be the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, belonging and discovery. 🙏

Melinda Buscema

(Deputy/REL/Teaching and Learning)

mbuscema@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

Event:	When:	Where
Year 3 Reconciliation Faith Family Night	Thursday, October 8 at 6pm	St John's Church
Year 3 Reconciliation Commitment Masses	Saturday, October 10 at 6pm or Sunday October 11 at 9:45am or 11:15am	St John's Church
Year 3 Sacrament of Reconciliation	Tuesday, October 27 at 6pm	St John's Church
Remembrance Day Prayer Service	Tuesday, November 11 at 11am	St John's School Piazza
Advent Prayer Service	Tuesday, December 1 at 9am	MacKillop space
Prep 2026 and 2027 Welcome mass	Sunday, December 6 at 11:15am	St John's Church
Whole School Mini missions Christmas Market	Tuesday, December 8 at 2pm	St John's School
Whole School Thanksgiving Mass	Monday December 14 at 6pm	St John's Church

Live Your Best Life in Love...A Marriage Encounter weekend is for you…

Take some time-out to nurture your most precious relationship away from life's busyness and distractions.

As a couple the two of you will come away from your weekend feeling more deeply connected and with tools to help keep your renewed intimacy alive.

No group sharing is required.

The weekend is based around Catholic values. Couples of all faiths are very welcome.

Our next weekend is coming up...

Please check our website for more details and to book your special weekend:

November 6 - 8th 2026

St Paul's Retreat Centre, Wantirna South.

Starts Friday evening at 7pm and finishes Sunday afternoon around 4:30pm

Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676 or

Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au Website: wwme.org.au

St John's Fete