Catholic Identity

Sacrament of Reconciliation

If your child has been Baptised information will be coming home this week to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is about saying sorry to God for our sins and making a fresh start. Please fill out and return the information to the front office if you would like your child to make the sacrament.  

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39–56 

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”  And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Summary

Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also expecting a child (John the Baptist). When Mary greets her, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and recognises Mary as the Mother of the Lord. Mary responds with the Magnificat, a prayer of praise and gratitude to God for His goodness and mercy.

For Catholics, Mary is the Mother of Jesus and our spiritual mother. She is the perfect example of faith, humility, and trust in God. She said “yes” to God’s plan and carried Jesus into the world, making her an essential part of God’s plan for salvation.The Feast of the Assumption celebrates our belief that Mary was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. It reminds us of the hope we have in Christ—that we too are called to eternal life.

Mary’s life shows us how to live with faith in joy and in challenge, always keeping God at the centre.

Hail Mary 

Hail Mary, full of grace, 

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.