Spiritual Connections
Diocesan Theme 2026 – Seek Peace and Pursue It.
Wellsprings:
A reading from the Gospel of John (20:19-23)
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you”. After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection:
One can only imagine the fear felt by Jesus’s disciples in his absence. As they gathered behind locked doors, he suddenly appears and comforts them with the words “peace be with you!”
Today Jesus meets us where we are, reassuring us with the words “peace be with you.” Like the disciples we are constantly guided and assisted by the presence of the Holy Spirit. We are not guaranteed a painless journey because even Jesus rose from the dead with his wounds in full view. But we take comfort in knowing that we will never be alone on our mission of being Christ in the world.
Mercy Values:
The core Mercy values, deeply grounded in the tradition of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, centre on;
*compassion, *justice,
*respect, *hospitality,
*service, *courage.
In the Mercy tradition, Justice is the active commitment to fairness, equity, and human dignity, particularly for the vulnerable or marginalised. It goes beyond personal kindness, aiming to address the causes of inequality and build systemic change that ensures everyone receives their basic human rights and needs.
Key Aspects of Mercy Justice
Advocacy: Speaking out and taking action for systemic change on local and global scales.
Fairness: Treating everyone with equal dignity and giving each person their due, regardless of background.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Defending the rights of those who cannot advocate for themselves.
Preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist will commence at the beginning of
Term 3. Key dates for this are listed below:
Wednesday July 15th: Parent ONLY Information Session: Faith Formation / Program Outline
( apologies previously advertised as Tuesday)
Sunday September 13th: Confirmation / Eucharist Mass at 10:30am Fr Uday.
School-Led Liturgy:
This Sunday, Sacred Heart School is rostered on to lead the Parish liturgy in the church. Mass begins at 10:30am.
Families are invited to attend on Sunday, and if you wish, lead parts of the mass. This includes the Liturgy of the Word (readings), Gospel Procession, Offertory Procession, or commentating. If you would like to help lead Mass, could you please let Tony McDonald know.
Email: tmcdonald@shtatura.catholic.edu.au
Our parish community love seeing the children and their families at Mass.
Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Mass
On Friday 12th June, the whole school will celebrate the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart - our School Feast Day. All families are most welcome to come along and celebrate with us - Mass will be at 9:15am in the church.
Traditionally as a part of this feast day, we ask for donations of non-perishable food and personal supplies that can be given to the Society of St Vincent de Paul to support families in need in our community.
The members of the Social Justice Leadership Team have suggested a range of different items to donate if families wish to do so.
Cereals / Breakfast Foods.
Toiletries - tooth paste, deodorant, tooth brush, shampoo, conditioner.
Tissues, toilet paper, non-perishable canned food: - baked beans, spaghetti, fruit, rice, soups, pasta.
Other items that can be donated include second hand clothes, toys, books, blankets, gloves, beanies, colouring books and pencils.
Collection baskets will be placed in the entrance foyer for donated goods to be placed in.
Thankyou for your support of this important appeal which is part of our Catholic tradition.
Term 2 Events/Dates:
Friday 29th May: Grade 3/4 attending Mass.
Sunday 31st May: Trinity Sunday.
Sunday 31st May: School Led Liturgy. 10:30am.
Sunday 7th June: Corpus Christi.
Friday 12th June: Feast of the Sacred Heart – Giving Mass. Whole School Mass.
School Feast Day.
Term 3 Events/Dates:
Friday 24th July: Grandparents Mass - Classroom Visits and Cuppa
Kind regards,
Tony McDonald.
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