Our Faith - Religion - Prayer
St Patrick's Church Walcha
For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.
Monsignor Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.
Term 2 Mass Dates
*Tomorrow, Friday 24th May: Mass at 11.30am
*Friday 7th June: Mass at 11.30am (Reconciliation for eligible candidates after Mass)
*Friday 21st June: Mass and Blessed Exposition at 11.30am
Reflection
The Australian Catholic Church will commemorate a significant occasion tomorrow as they observe the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians.
The celebration of the feast day dedicated to Mary Help of Christians has been observed in Australia since 1844. The early church in Australia had a unique motivation to seek Mary's intercession. In the colony's formative years, no priests were dispatched, and Mass was prohibited except for a single year until 1820. The Rosary played a significant role in sustaining the faith during those initial years.
Catholic Australia demonstrated unwavering devotion to Mary and was the initial nation to select her as the primary Patroness under the title Help of Christians. The esteemed St Mary's Cathedral was consecrated in her honor by Fr John Therry, an Irish pioneer priest who arrived in Sydney in 1820 and took charge of the Cathedral's planning and initial construction. By designating Mary Help of Christians as the Patroness, Australia became the pioneering country to possess a mother-cathedral bearing the same title. Notably, the altar at St. Mary's, featuring a statue of Mary Help of Christians, was erected as a tribute to the memory of Fr. Therry.
Today, we seek the refuge of Mary to safeguard our nation, entrusting ourselves to her watchful guidance, just as she entrusted herself to the divine providence of God.
Additionally, this approaching Sunday marks National Sorry Day. On this occasion, all Australians are encouraged to express remorse for the hardships endured by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples due to European colonisation.
National Reconciliation Week takes place annually from May 27 to June 3. On May 27, 1967, the majority of Australians voted in favor of a national change to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 'Mabo case' refers to the landmark decision made by the High Court of Australia on June 3, 1992. In this ruling, the court officially acknowledged the enduring connection between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the land.
Prayer
We seek your protection,
Mary, the aid of all Christians.
Please listen to our prayers
and assist us in our time of need.
Keep us safe from all harm,
and may you, through your son Jesus,
bestow the gift of peace
and harmony upon all the inhabitants of Australia
. We offer this prayer in the name of Christ, who lives and rules eternally.
Amen.
Mass , tomorrow Friday 24th May at 11.30am
The entire school community will gather together to commemorate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, Australia's patron saint, tomorrow Friday, May 24th at 11:30am. We extend a warm invitation to everyone to join us in this celebration.
First Eucharist
Digby, Harriet, Lucy, and Phoebe are scheduled to partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time on Sunday, June 2nd, at St. Patrick's Church. As these young individuals begin their exploration of the teachings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ through this sacred ritual, they have our thoughts and prayers.
Thursday 30 May 2024 Armidale Diocese Catholic Schools Week Deanery Mass
Calling for Altar Servers
It is great to see we will have four students receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time in the upcoming weeks. Did you know that once a child can receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion they can take part in altar serving at both of our school and parish Masses?
Monsignor Wilkes is looking out for any of our students who would like to become an altar server. Altar Servers must be Catholic and have a basic understanding of the mystery of Jesus present in the Eucharist and of the importance of prayerful reverence in their role as Altar servers.
Servers will be shown how to serve commencing in the near future during lunchtime.
A questionnaire will be sent home via Compass after the 2nd June to all of the families whose children have completed the Sacrament of Holy Communion Preparation Program. If you have any questions regarding altar serving, don't hesitate to get in touch with Mr Hyatt.
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Sacrament Dates for 2024
2024 First Reconciliation: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Years 2 and 3 for Friday 1st November 2024.
2024 First Eucharist: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Year 3 for Sunday 2nd June 2024.
Catherine McAuley
Catherine’s spirituality was centred on the mercy of God…prayer in action…action in prayer.