Catholic Identity

PRAYER 

What is the Catholic devotion for the month of September?

The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, who the Church celebrates on September 15. This Feast commemorates the divine union between Mary and Jesus, and the sorrows she experienced as His mother, particularly during His Passion and Death.  Devotion to the sorrows of Mary dates from the twelfth century.  

In 1233, seven devout men in Florence each had a vision from Mary, inspiring them to form a religious community that would later be known as the Servites. In the apparition, they were instructed to spread devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary, which became one of their central missions. 

In the late thirteenth century a hymn titled the Stabat Mater (Standing Mother) was composed in Latin and consisted of twenty verses which described the Sorrows of Mary at the Cross. There are now more than sixty English translations of the Stabat Mater.  Below are  two verses from the hymn which your family may like to pray:

At the Cross her station keeping

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to Jesus to the last.

Jesus, may Your Cross defend me,

And Your Mother's prayer befriend me;

Let me die in Your embrace.

SACRAMENTAL JOURNAL REMINDER

As we know, attending Mass regularly is the best way to prepare your child to receive a sacrament.  It is also a crucial part of helping your child to develop a personal relationship with God, that they can carry with them throughout their life.

Families with a child celebrating a sacrament this year, are reminded to ensure that their child is getting their Sacramental Journal signed each time they attend Mass on a Sunday.  Should your child lose their journal, please contact the school office for a replacement. 

TERM 4  MASSES

Throughout the year we have numerous School and Community Masses scheduled for St John’s.  Parents are warmly invited to join us for these celebrations.  Below are the details for the four Masses we will be holding at St John’s during Term 4:

• Wednesday 23rd October - School Mass @ 9:30 School Hall
• Saturday 26th October - Community Mass @ 5:00 School Hall
• Saturday 23rd November - Community Mass @ 5:00 School Hall
• Wednesday 27th November - School Mass @ 9:30 School Hall 

COMMUNITY MASS 

Please click on the link below for the dates of all the St John the Apostle Community Masses for this year:

PARISH ALPHA PROGRAM

Alpha is a safe space where one can openly ask life's BIG questions and not feel judged.  Alpha can help individuals explore topics such as life, death, faith and so much more.  A new Alpha Program will be starting shortly in the parish.  Please see the brochure below for more information.  

Parish Take Home Sheet

Nativity of The Virgin Mary Mass

Parish Pastoral Worker Update