John XXIII College Newsletter

Faith and Mission

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of our Lenten Season

Ash Wednesday is an important solemn event in the Liturgical Calendar and will fall on Wednesday, 14 February. This year it is on the same day as Valentine’s Day and provides us with a perfect time to think about love. The cross of Jesus is the ultimate symbol of how profoundly God loves the world. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and allows us the opportunity to journey towards our observance and celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter.  Ash Wednesday comes from the Ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes wearing of ashes on the head as a symbol from the dust which God made us. We acknowledge that ‘we are dust and to dust we shall return’. The ashes are prepared by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday.

 

The Ash Wednesday Service in the Secondary School and Mass for Years 3-6 provides us with an opportunity to pray, reflect and think of ways that we can fast (not only from food but also from unhealthy habits or distractions) and be generous members of our church community. The College supports Caritas Australia with fundraising initiatives throughout Lent. These initiatives provide us with the opportunity to live the message of Jesus and demonstrate how we are people for others. Details of these fundraising opportunities will be shared in the next few weeks.

 

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

 

God of all hope,

We pray for our world with all its beauty and need.

We thank you for the love in our lives that is a mirror of your unending love.

 

May all creation know your compassion this Lent and may we take courage to share it, especially with those who don’t have what they need.

 

Through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving,

move us to act in the company of your spirit,

showing compassion and acting for justice

to renew the face of the Earth,

now and for all future generations

 

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord,

and with the intercession of our founders

 

Pope John XXlll                 Pray for us

Mary Ward                          Pray for us

Ignatius of Loyola              Pray for us.

 

Community Mass

Why does the Chapel Bell ring on Friday mornings at 7:50am?

It is a reminder that our community celebration of the Eucharist will be starting at 8:00am.

 

I’ve never been to Community Mass. 

That’s fine – everyone is welcome: students, alumni, families, friends and staff. Participation is voluntary – people are welcome to attend whenever they can, or as a one-off to ‘come and see’.

 

What can I expect?

Students volunteer to prepare the readings and prayers. The readings are usually (not always) those of the coming Sunday.

 

Why the Sunday readings if it is not a Sunday Mass?

The gospels – indeed all scripture – are rich in meaning. The Sunday gospels are arranged in sequence, so each week we hear the next part of a particular gospel, proclaiming the life and ministry of Jesus. For many students and families, hearing the readings ‘broken open’ on Friday helps them engage more deeply in the larger, busier weekend parish Masses. 

 

So Friday Mass is not a substitute for Sundays? 

That is correct. Families can continue their regular parish participation. 

 

What if I am not Catholic?

All are welcome at this Eucharist. 

 

What if I don’t know the words?

The songs and response are all projected onto a screen.

 

What else can I expect on Fridays?

We are so lucky to have quality, appropriately chosen music, sung with joy and enthusiasm by the Chapel Choir which is directed by the very competent Mrs Haydon and supported by Mr Johnston. 

 

Who is the priest?

We are blessed to have Redemptorist priests, from the Monastery in North Perth, preside at our College celebrations of the Eucharist. 

 

Traditionally some churches have allocated seats.

There are no reserved seats in the Chapel – people are welcome to sit anywhere.

 

What time does the Eucharist finish?

It finishes around 8:30 – in time for students and teachers to get to Homeroom. People are free to leave quietly if they cannot stay right to the end. 

 

 

What happens at the end of the Eucharist?

Parents, the priest and staff who are not teaching usually gather for a short while in the Circle of Friends Café for coffee and conversation. Everyone is invited; people are free to linger or get a coffee ‘to go’.

 

 

Our next Community Mass…

Community Mass next Friday (16 February) will be prepared by students in Year 12. While Year 12s and their families are particularly welcome, all are warmly invited to gather for this Eucharistic celebration. 

 

Community Mass details:

  • College Chapel
  • Fridays in term time
  • Starts: 8:00am and concludes 8:30am

Do you have a child in Year 3, 4 or 6?

Parishes have begun enrolling for their Sacrament Programs and parents are encouraged to enrol their child in their ‘home’ parish. 

 

The program is family-focused, parish-based, Catholic school-supported. This means that parents are respected as first educators in the faith of their children. 

 

The family is supported by the College Religious Education program. In Year 3, students are taught the content for First Reconciliation; in Year 4 ,the content for First Holy Communion and in Year 6, the content for Confirmation. Students celebrate these sacraments in their parish. 

 

Each Parish has a unique Sacrament program. As they become available, details from the parishes located nearest to the College will be updated on the College website. 

Parents often have questions about the Sacrament program, so don’t be afraid to ask: