Christmas Children's Choir

Mrs. Earle would like to extend an invitation to students from St Patrick’s School to sing at the 6.00pm Christmas Vigil Mass at St Patrick’s Church this year. Last year we had a wonderful group of students singing. If you are interested could you please sign the Operoo permission form sent and contact the Parish office on: 9583 2103 to leave your contact details. It will involve a rehearsal. Mrs. Earle will contact you with details.

Social Justice

A big congratulations to the St Patrick's School community for their amazing efforts this term. For our Socktober event, we have raised over $600 for disadvantaged children in Mongolia. Our Second Hand Uniform Shop has also raised over $1000 for our Parish's St Vincent de Paul Society. A special thank you to Jill Ireton our amazing parent volunteer for sorting through donations and organising our sizes and clothes rack. Thank you finally to our Social Justice leaders for helping organise and facilitate our fundraising events. Well done St Patrick's!

Gospel

Mark 13:24-32

Jesus teaches about the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.

Unpacking the Scriptures

In this Sunday's Gospel of Mark, as we approach the end of the liturgical year, the stories we read invite us to reflect on Jesus’ teachings about the end of the world. Jesus uses poetic language and parables to help paint a picture for his disciples. As Catholics we believe as Jesus taught that the Earth will pass away forever and we will all be resurrected like Him, together in heaven forever where there is no suffering or pain. This is not something to fear but to look forward to.

Before we consider Jesus’ words, it is important to note the political backdrop against which many think Mark’s Gospel was written. Christians experienced persecution by the Romans during the reign of the emperor Nero (approx. 64 A.D.). Jewish revolutionaries rebelled against the Romans, which led the Romans to destroy the Temple in 70 A.D. During this time of political turmoil and persecution, many of Mark’s community wondered if the end times predicted by Jesus were in fact quite near.

Jesus tells his disciples and us that he cannot predict the exact time or day, only God the Father knows, so we should live our lives in preparation for that day. He uses the lesson of the fig tree, a parable that teaches that if you know how to read the signs, you can be prepared for the end times. Let us take time to reflect on how we are living our lives - do we rest in God’s love and share that with others?

As we grow closer to the season of Advent, the Church’s new year, let us renew our hope in God’s promise of heaven and his never-ending love for us.

Family Connection

As life goes on with it's sufferings, joys and various changes, all of us find security in relationships and values that endure. Among these are our family relationships. We can confidently accept change if we know that we will continue to be loved by our family and by God. We help build this sense of trust and confidence in our children with our daily assurances to them that nothing can change our love for them.

Together look through family photo albums. Observe and talk about things that have changed in your family life over the years. Discuss also about the things that have stayed the same. Teach your child or children that we do not need to fear changes in our family life because we know that the most important aspects of our family life do not change, such as our love for one another. The same is true with God and God’s love for us.

Pray

Gather together, light a candle and acknowledge that you are in the presence of God in a moment of silence. Read the Gospel Mark 13:24-32. Discuss how Jesus teaches us that things in our world will change and that the world itself will one day end. We don’t need to be fearful because God’s love for us will never end. Conclude in prayer together thanking God his never-ending love for us.

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for loving me so much that nothing in my past, present, or future can separate me from your love. Your love, mercy and faithfulness goes beyond all understanding. Help me to always live in your love, to be kind and forgiving to myself and others, remembering that I am a child of God.

Amen.

God bless,

India Mitchell-Fletcher

Religious Education Leader

Parish Bulletin