Religious Dimension

Week 11 - Gospel - Jesus Calms the Storm

At mass on Sunday, Father Michael reminded us of how important it is to pray to God during times when we are experiencing joy and peace in our lives. This is just as important as during turbulent times or when things aren't going to plan. We need to build a relationship of trust with God, during all the different times in our lives, so that we really know and understand his divine protection and presence working through us.

1. What do you do when you feel tired in your spiritual journey?
2. The disciples say to Jesus, “do you not care that we are perishing?”  How do you think Jesus felt when he heard this?.
3. When you are afraid, and/or feel “low” in your faith, what do you do to live through your fears and strengthen your faith?

Year 6 Commitment Mass Weekend

We give thanks to all the students and their families who were able to attend one of weekend masses in preparation for the Year 6 Sacrament of Confirmation. 

This sacrament will be celebrated after the mid year break on Saturday, August 10 at 3.15pm in St. John's Church.  

On Sunday, Father Michael prayed for our students along with the whole congregation, making links to the Apostles' Creed. Our students are developing a deeper understanding of the commitment made and the connection with their Baptismal promises. Please keep our Year 6's in your prayers throughout the coming weeks.

Year 5/6 Kidsview Social Justice Incursion

Understanding social justice goes hand in hand with understanding the inequity around our world when it comes to basic human resources. Regardless of race, gender, age, disabilities, location or religion all people should have equal access to our basic needs of water, medical health, location, housing and nutritious food.  Our students were privileged to be part of workshops, games and talks by Catherine, Carlo and Jayson who live in the Philippines. They shared stories to help the students understand the challenges that many face back home. Misconceptions were found amongst many if not all students with regards to what they thought being 'rich' was and evidence was shared to help further their understanding.  Many students did not realise that they were in the top 25% of what it means to be rich in our world.  If you have a roof over your head, access to clean water and nutritious food then this is what is considered to be 'rich'.  Many students were astounded with the fact that only a few children had medical help and education because of their status in the Philippines.  We are so very grateful for the knowledge shared and for the resources used in the workshops to help our students grow in understanding. 

Student Reflections from Kidsview Conference

By Eleonora 5/6B

Kids View (Bahay Tuluyan) came to visit our school on Monday, 17 June and they were with us all day. We learned so much about Social Justice. Catherine, Carlo and Jayson explained about how privileged we are. There are so many poor children in our world. We focused on the Philippines. We learned that we are in the top 25% of the richest people in the world, just for having plenty of clothes, a bedroom, a roof over our heads, food on our table and clean water. They told us their stories which were inspiring. 

We played a lolly game and on the signal we had to try and get as many lollies as possible. The lollies represented the world's resources. I didn’t get any lollies and if you had 0-1 lollies, you went into the poorest group. If you had 2-3 you were in the middle class, and if you had 4-6 you were in the upper class, or the richest group. We found a way to share. They also taught us about how having a disability, being a different race, your age, gender or religion, can all change the way people look at you. For example, in most countries, many men get more privileges than women. 

I learned to open my eyes and to see how lucky we are. I learned that we are richer than I thought! I learned that some people die from colds or flu due to having no medicine.

Thank you Bahay Tuluyan.

By Chelsea 5/6B

On Monday17 June, we had an incursion by Kids View. Kids View is an organisation to tell us about Bahay Tuluyan, who works helping kids in the Philippines. 

Our host Catherine, and two boys named Carlo and Jayson who were from the Philippines, taught us all about how other kids live throughout the world. It was really inspirational and eye opening. We each got to do two workshops. I did Education and Home, but there was also Health and Work.

My highlight of this incursion was Jayson and Carlo’s story called Dream. It was all about how they lived in the Philippines. What I really got to take away from this experience was that life is so different in other parts of the world and children here in Australia are really privileged. We also represented a child and I was Mabrinty from Sierra Leone. I was six years old and my dream was to be a paramedic.

Catherine did give us one question to think about: What could we do to make a change?

Important Dates

Everyone is welcome to join us at the community mass each Tuesday at 10am, when our classes will also be celebrating and participating.

TERM 2 CLASS MASSES - Tuesday at 10am at St John's Church

Melinda Buscema 

(Deputy/REL)

mbuscema@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au