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St Patrick's Church Walcha
For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.
Monsignor Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.
Last Sunday Marked the Feast Day of St. Carlo Acutis: The 'Cyber-Apostle'
The Catholic world recently celebrated the liturgical memorial of St. Carlo Acutis on Sunday, October 12. This day holds profound significance, as it marks the anniversary of the young Italian's passing in 2006 and is the date established for his annual feast.
The celebration comes hot on the heels of his official canonisation on September 7, 2025, where he was declared a saint by Pope Leo XIV, cementing his status as the first millennial saint of the Catholic Church.
Born in London and raised in Milan, Carlo Acutis was a seemingly ordinary teenager with a profound and extraordinary faith. Despite dying from fulminant leukemia at the age of just 15, his brief life left an indelible mark, primarily due to his intense devotion to the Eucharist.
He famously declared, "The Eucharist is my highway to heaven," and strove to attend daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. His passion was to share this central mystery of the Catholic faith with the world, leading to his unique legacy as a "Cyber-AApostle."
Carlo recognised the potential of the internet as a tool for evangelisation. Using his self-taught computer programming skills, he created a comprehensive website to catalogue and document all the verified Eucharistic Miracles worldwide.
This innovative use of technology to spread the faith is why St. Carlo is widely invoked as a patron saint of the internet and youth. He is a powerful reminder that holiness is attainable for anyone, regardless of their age or the digital tools they use.
The October 12th feast day is a time for the faithful, particularly young people, to reflect on Carlo’s core message: to place Jesus at the center of their lives.
His life demonstrates that modern life, with its technology and distractions, is no barrier to sanctity. Instead, it is a new frontier for spreading the Gospel—a message that continues to inspire millions globally, urging them to use their talents to bring others closer to the "real presence" of Christ.
Prayer
O God, our Father, You granted Saint Carlo Acutis the grace to make the Eucharist his highway to heaven and to use technology to spread the truth of the Gospel.
Through his intercession, help us to passionately love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and grant us the wisdom to use the tools of our modern world to draw closer to You and lead others to salvation.
May we, like Carlo, always seek to be saints.
Amen.
Update on Parish New and First Reconciliation
As many in our school community are aware, Father Anthony has taken a period of leave to care for his mother. We continue to hold them both in our prayers and wish them well.
During Father Anthony's absence, Monsignor Wilkes will be administrating our parish. Based on current information, we anticipate Father Anthony's return will be in early 2026.
Due to Father Anthony's absence and the subsequent disruption to parish and school schedules, we previously announced the need to reschedule the First Reconciliation Program.
Following a discussion with Monsignor Wilkes earlier this week, a decision has been made for the most suitable path forward: Preparation and the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our eligible candidates will now take place in Term 1 next year (2026).
This new timeline ensures that all students will have the necessary time for proper formation and preparation for this important sacrament.
Furthermore, this scheduling change will then allow these candidates to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time on the Feast of Corpus Christi in June 2026.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this rescheduling may cause families and thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this period. We look forward to a structured and prayerful start to the sacramental journey next year.
OCTOBER - World Mission Month
Focus on Mission- Zambia
This year, Catholic Mission's annual Socktober campaign is shining a spotlight on the challenges and potential of Zambia, specifically focusing on empowering communities—especially women—to overcome food insecurity and secure a brighter future for their children.
The popular nationwide school initiative, which uses the unifying power of soccer and the iconic 'sockball' to engage students in global mission, is raising awareness and vital funds for projects aimed at establishing long-term sustainability in the Diocese of Mpika.
The region of Mpika in Zambia is currently grappling with the severe effects of prolonged drought, crop failures, and an ongoing economic crisis. For many farming families, particularly mothers, this has resulted in an impossible choice: sell the meager maize harvest to cover immediate daily necessities, or keep it to feed their children and go without other basic needs. The cycle of poverty is relentless, and the lack of a stable food supply threatens children's health and ability to attend school.
In response to this critical situation, Catholic Mission, in partnership with the local Church in Mpika, has launched the Maize Mill Project. This initiative is dedicated to creating a sustainable source of food and income by empowering women with the skills and resources to grow, harvest, and mill their own maize.
Catholic Mission's 2025 campaign is an invitation to be a "Missionary of Hope," transforming a simple game of soccer into a powerful gesture of global solidarity with the people of Zambia.
Our Mini Vinnies students are currently planning some fun activities to enjoy during Mission Month,
Crazy Hair and Sock Day - Friday 31st October - GOLD COIN Donation
Duct Tape the Staff Member Day!- Friday 31st October- $1 per strip of duct tape!
School Mass on Thursday 23rd October at 11.30am
We are delighted to announce that our staff and students will celebrate our first school Mass of Term 4 on Thursday, 23rd October, at St Patrick's Catholic Church at 11:30 am.
We warmly invite all parents, parishioners, and community members to join us as we gather together in worship. We look forward to seeing you there!
Year of Jubilee
2025 is a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church.
A Jubilee Year is traditionally proclaimed by the Universal Church every 25 years. It is a particular year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on spiritual life.
The theme is Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis has invited Catholics to renew our hope and discover a vision that can "restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone". We are also invited to rediscover a spirituality of God's creation in which we understand ourselves as "pilgrims on the earth" rather than masters of the world.
You will see this logo often this year...
The logo symbolises unity and fraternity among all of humanity, with four stylised figures from different corners of the earth embracing each other. The leading figure holds a cross, representing faith and hope. The rough waves beneath the figures symbolise life's challenges, emphasising the need for hope in difficult times. The elongated lower part of the cross forms an anchor, a well-known symbol of hope. This image depicts the pilgrimage as a communal journey towards the cross, which reaches out dynamically to offer presence and hope.
Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope (Youtube)
The Jubilee Prayer
To pray and download the Prayer for the 2025 Jubilee, click here. Copies of the Jubilee Prayer are available in Braille. Please contact the Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry for a copy: specialneedsministry@adw.org or 301-853-4560.