John XXIII College Newsletter

Liturgy

Community Liturgy

Our community was blessed this morning as we gathered to celebrate the Eucharist together in the Chapel with Year 12s. The College celebration of the Eucharist aligns with Archdiocesan guidelines, prepared in accordance with the State Government Phase-3 Roadmap.

 

Next week, St Louis House will prepare the Mass. Thank you to the SRC for their preparation of the liturgy, for today’s feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Fr Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ, a Jesuit, mystic and paleontologist writes: 'The great secret, the great mystery, is this: there is a heart of the world and this heart is the heart of Christ.' 

 

Image: Sacred Heart of Jesus by Odilon Redon (Musée d'Orsay, Paris)

SACRAMENT PROGRAM

Phase-3 – Important update for students in Years 3 and 4

Good news! The Archbishop has advised that “the celebration of First Reconciliation (school-aged children) and First Holy Communion (school-aged children) may recommence.”

 

What does this mean for my child in Year 3 or 4?

The students have completed the required units of work in the Religion curriculum, and will be receiving a certificate from the College. Parents need to enroll their children in their parish Sacrament Program, as soon as possible.   

 

I thought the parish program was only for students in non-Catholic schools?

All parishes require parents to enroll their children to celebrate the sacraments of First Reconciliation or First communion. 

 

So I need to enroll in the parish even if my child is not attending classes?

Yes, that is correct.

 

What will I need when I enoll?

You will need the Baptism certificate of your child. You will also need the certification from the College that your child has completed the required unit of work in the Religion curriculum.

 

I have a child in Year 6: will there be Confirmation this year?

The Archbishop has advised “Confirmation (school-aged children) remains temporarily suspended.” We will advise parents as updates become available.  In the meantime, you are advised to enroll in your parish.

 

I need more information; where can I get it?

Updates from local parishes

 

STAR OF THE SEA, COTTESLOE

Reconciliation  20 June 11:00am 

First Communion  2 August  10:00am

Contact: cottesloe@perthcatholic.org.au

 

SAINT THOMAS APOSTLE, CLAREMONT

Reconciliation  28-29 October 3:30-5:00pm 

Contact: silvia.kinder@cewa.edu.au

 

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY, DOUBLEVIEW

Reconciliation  24 October

First Communion  19 September

Contact: Kaye Shervington, doubleview@perthcatholic.org.au

 

OUR LADY OF GRACE, NORTH BEACH

Reconciliation  27 October

Contact: Sheralee Allen, north.beach@perthcatholic.org.au

 

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, SCARBOROUGH

Reconciliation  To be advised

First Communion   23 August

Contact: Fr Grant Goddard, scarborough@perthcatholic.org.au  08 9341 1124

 

SAINT CECILIA, FLOREAT

Contact: Rita Morgan, floreat@perthcatholic.org.au

 

ST JOSEPH, SUBIACO

Contact: sacraments@stjosephssubiaco.org.au

 

HOLY SPIRIT, CITY BEACH

Contact: delattrecn@yahoo.fr or phone Parish Priest, Fr Emmanual-tv Dimobi, 08 93413131

Reflection for Refugee Week

The theme of Refugee Week in 2020 is the Year of Welcome. Welcome is about generosity, opening our arms and our houses to friends and strangers, feeding the hungry and avoiding the temptation to shut the door.

 

This year we have celebrated the generosity of people who have kept welcoming strangers – opening their hearts, homes, cattle feed and purses to families made homeless by the Bushfires. And more recently, the generosity of health workers in Australia and elsewhere who have risked their own health to help strangers. We have seen, too, the goodness of people who from very few bricks have built laughter and friendship in local communities, and particularly befriended elderly people in nursing homes. They have opened doors in a world that has closed so many doors.

 

It is good to celebrate Refugee Week, during which coronavirus leaves us so few opportunities to welcome refugees personally, as a Year of Welcome. We have space to remember the generosity of people who have offered food, companionship and shelter to refugees and have visited them over many years. We also remember friends who have marched, written letters, spoken to local Parliamentarians, and have made the cause of refugees their own. This week can be a time of saying thank you.

 

Supported by these good memories, we can reflect on whether for refugees this year has begun as a Year of Welcome. There is certainly much to be discouraged by in a time of illness, isolation and closed borders around the world. Refugees in camps and detention centres have been particularly vulnerable to epidemics. Yet Governments refuse to let them out. Nations which have previously received refugees have shut their borders to them and driven back the boats on which they came. People seeking protection in developed nations and unable to find casual work have lost the work that supports their family, and received no assistance from Governments. 

 

In times of threat people are often tempted to see strangers as threats. They narrow the list of people about whom they care. This reaction may be natural, but if encouraged it is destructive of societies. Our response as a nation to the threat of the Coronavirus has been generous and provided support for many people in need. It has protected people from being made homeless.

 

 As we are moving to a lifting of restrictions it is important to keep our hearts open to people who have been left without family, without country and without support, and have come to seek protection. It is time to make this year a year of welcome, and this land a welcoming land.  The need for Catholics to unite in care and outreach to people who seek protection is stronger than it has ever been. 

 

© Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ

 

Father Andrew is a Jesuit, a theologian, a writer and, among his many other roles, the Media Officer for Jesuit Social Services.