Education in Faith

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Historical Context – What’s in a face?

The question of coinage was a problematic one for the people in Jesus’ time. The tradition – grounded in the commandments given to Moses on Mt Sinai – forbade the use of ‘graven’ or carved images. The people of Israel took this prohibition very seriously and did not portray the human face in artwork of any kind. Roman coins were minted with the face of the emperor on them and it was compulsory that taxes be paid with Roman coin. This helps us to understand the role of the Temple money-changers who converted the Roman coin into Temple coin that could be used for religious purposes.

Different View – A simple question?

This gospel passage is sometimes interpreted as Jesus’ endorsement of the Christian responsibility to state authorities. It has been interpreted as affirming the obligation to pay taxes and participate in the processes of government. In fact, Jesus neatly avoided the direct question put to him and never gave a response to the question of paying taxes. Rather, he made the question a much broader one and reminded people that their first obligation was to God, not the state. It is an excellent example of the need for critical interpretation of scripture. A simple, literal reading of this text leads us to drawing simple, literal conclusions about whether or not we should be paying taxes.

Discussion Questions

Why did the Pharisees send their disciples to ask Jesus about paying taxes?

In what ways were the Pharisees’ men ‘hypocrites’ as Jesus called them?

What can we interpret from Jesus’ words, ‘give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God’?

In today’s world, how can we give to God what belongs to God?

The Pharisees deliberately set out to trap Jesus. Why did they fear him?

How can we apply today Jesus’ words, ‘give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God’?

What are some of the ‘obligations’ of society that ‘get in the way’ of giving to God what belongs to God?

In what ways can you better give to God what belongs to God?

Important news from St. Kevin’s Parish

Catechism classes for children aged 5-10 years. The sisters from the Alliance of the Holy Family International will be conducting Catechism classes in St. Kevin’s School Hall on all the Sundays in October. The classes will be held from 12 noon – 1pm (after the 11 am mass). Please fill in the expression of interest sheets on the clipboard in the foyer. Parents will need to fill in enrolment forms for their children to take part in these sessions.

SACRAMENTS 2024

To assist us with the administration and preparation of Sacraments for 2024, we ask you to fill in the Operoo form below, to indicate if your child will be receiving a Sacrament next year in 2024.

Junior and Senior parents ACCEPT or DECLINE this invitation by Friday 15th September.  Dates for Sacraments will be published in our school newsletter.

Reconciliation: baptized Catholics in Year 1, 2 and 3 or above.

Next year in 2024, children in:

• Grade 2 and Grade 3 will receive Reconciliation.
• Grade 3 and Grade 4 will receive Eucharist.
• Grade 6 will receive Confirmation.

Reconciliation: baptized Catholics in Year 2 and 3.

Eucharist: baptized Catholics in Year 3 and 4 or above who have celebrated their Reconciliation.

Confirmation: Year 6 Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

If you have any further questions regarding your child receiving these Sacraments, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Yours Sincerely,

God Bless

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

YEAR 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD POINTS

House points for this term so far are:

Well done Patrick but the other Houses are catching up! Remember we have all of this term to go so one of the other houses may take the lead. You can get points for demonstrating our PBL Values especially Respect: Transition, which is our focus at the moment.

Later this term we will also begin our Christmas Appeal and students will get points for the Christmas gifts and hamper items they bring in.

VINNIES CONFERENCE

On Thursday, nine Mini Vinnies Representatives accompanied me to the Vinnies School Conference Networking event, hosted by Nazareth College. We would like to say a big thank you to Nazareth College for organising and paying for our transport to and from their College.

We joined schools in our local area and students had the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate their social justice efforts with other schools’ Mini Vinnies or College Conferences. 

Our school was invited to bring 5-10 student representatives to meet with peers from sister schools and present on ONE Good Works project from this year. 

The Mini Vinnies attending: Noura, Pudamsee, Michaela, Livinia, Samarrah, Reyon, Tara, Jonathan and Savannah met with me on Monday and chose to report about our 2nd Chance Appeal. 

They helped me create the presentation and then divided the presentation so they could each present a section. I congratulate these students for volunteering to attend and giving up a whole 2nd lunch to assist me in creating the power point. They demonstrated great initiative and their presentation skills on the day were amazing!! Well done to each and every one of them!! So proud!! 

The event also included opportunities for students to collaborate in a workshop organised by the St. Vincent de Paul Youth Engagement Team.

VINNIES TWILIGHT MARKET STALL

Our next big event is that Vinnies will have a market stall at our Twilight Market on Thursday November 9th. They will be doing nail polish, hair colour and temporary tattoos. And yes students will be able to wear them to school the next day!! I am asking Mini Vinnies to donate some time to help run the Market Stall on Thursday November 9th anytime between 4.30pm – 8.00pm. Then we will have some practise sessions applying nail polish and temporary tattoos.

Mini Vinnies have yet to decide where we will donate the money raised on the evening. We will let you know as soon as we have decided. Please come and support our stall.

Giuliana & SFS Mini Vinnies