Religious Education

Project Compassion

Caritas Australia is an international Catholic aid and development agency inspired by the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching of justice, dignity, hope for humanity and all of God’s creation. It is committed to support the most vulnerable and address the imbalance of power by including the people affected in the decisions impacting their lives. As part of our Lenten journey at St Patrick's we are practising the Church's tradition of almsgiving by raising awareness and donations for their Project Compassion. 

Our Year 6 social justice leaders have distributed posters, prayers and donation boxes to each classroom. You will also find one at our main office if you would like to contribute - every dollar counts. During our classroom learning time students will be hearing about the stories of people we are supporting through Project compassion, reminding us that in each person we see the image of Christ, and what we do to one another, we do to God; “truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40). You may also notice around the school the Way of the Cross through the eyes of people supported by Project Compassion, reminding us of our school mission Christ in the Heart of All.

Gospel Reflection

Gospel Reading

Mark 9:2-1

The Transfiguration

Unpacking the Scriptures

The Gospel of Mark that we read this Sunday is the Second Week of Lent, the story of the Jesus' transfiguration.Jesus takes three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John to a high mountain (a place continually referenced in the bible where God speaks to His people). Trans mean to change and figuration means the form. Before the disciples eyes, Jesus’ body is completely changed. Suddenly two figures from the history of Israel appear - the prophets from the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah and then the voice of God is heard! The disciples hide their faces both scared and amazed and who can blame them?!

Moses led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments. He represents the law that guides the lives of the Jewish people. Elijah was one of the most important prophets of Israel who helped them stay faithful to God when times were tough. Both of them were preparing the way for the Messiah. The disciples would have grown up hearing stories about them and we can read about them in the Old Testament too. The appearance of these two important prophets signifies Jesus  is the fulfillment of the law and all that was promised to the people of Israel - our Saviour of the world.

It is important to listen to God’s voice in the story - “Listen to Him”. This mirrors the moment at Jesus' baptism when a voice from above calls "this is my beloved in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him" (Matthew 17:5). The message is for us as much as it is for the disciples. Immediately everything goes back to normal, the prophets disappear and Jesus looks the same and tells them to keep it a secret until his resurrection. How do you go back to normal after that? The disciples don’t fully understand why or what Jesus’ “rising from the dead” means. Luckily, we know the end of the story that Jesus rose to save us. Let this be a reminder for us this week in the ordinary moments to prepare our hearts to remember Jesus’ passion and death he suffered for us that we may rise with him.

Family Connection

Every family has their special moments they remember and share again and again. The meaning and importance of these moments deepen and develop over time. This is how it was with the disciples’ remembrance of Jesus’ Transfiguration. The full significance of what they had witnessed could only be understood after Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

Pray

Read together Mark 9:2-1. Think about some special memories that your family tells over and over again. Discuss why these memories are important to you. Tell your children that in the Bible we find many important memories about Jesus that have been recorded for us to help us know and trust that Jesus is God’s Son. Pray that as you continue to read the Bible, your understanding and love for Jesus will grow. Conclude with the Lord's prayer:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

God bless,

India Mitchell-Fletcher

Religious Education Leader