Catholic Identity
Next Sunday 8th August is the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne (Australia) in 1842 and died in Sydney on 8th August 1909. She took the religious name Mary of the Cross. Responding to the isolation of colonial families, she pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education for their children. She and her sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children. She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of calumny, and for her abiding trust in God's providence.
Holy God, source of all goodness, you show us in Mary MacKillop, a woman of faith who lived by the power of the cross. Teach us to embrace what she pioneered: new ways of living the gospel that respect and defend the human dignity of all in our land. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Confirmation and Eucharist Sacramental Program 2021
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to First Eucharist and Confirmation. We welcome all children who have completed the First Reconciliation and are currently in Year 4 and 5. The Sacrament of Holy Communion brings to completion the Christian process of initiation. Confirmation is about renewing one’s Baptismal promises before receiving Communion for the first time. In this Sacrament, we remember what Jesus did for us in his life, death and resurrection. We remember particularly the Last Supper, that final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. At that meal, Jesus gave us the Eucharist so that we could remember him in a special way. When we receive Communion, we believe that we receive the person of Jesus into our very beings.
We become one with Him, and we become one with each other. As a community, we become 'the body of Christ'.
To begin this journey, we ask you to attend via Google Meet a compulsory parent information session that will be held on the date and time below;
Wednesday 18th of August at 6pm
Meeting code: meet.google.com/gig-rtnv-kyr
This will be placed on the School Calendar, PAM and emailed out prior.
There will also be a presentation of booklets at Mass Sunday the 22nd of August at 9.30 am (TBC with restrictions)
The dates of the Sacrament with the bishop:
Saturday the 23rd of October (6.00 pm) Grade 5 Students
Sunday the 24th of October (10.00 am) Grade 4 Students
*exceptions made for siblings and any circumstances discussed prior with Jessie Simpson
At this parent information we will discuss what Eucharist and Confirmation is and how you may celebrate this with your child within your home as they prepare for their Sacrament.
There will be also specific information given about the program running. This will be an opportunity to learn more and to seek answers to any questions you may have.
If you have any questions leading into this journey I encourage you to contact Jessie Simpson on jsimpson@shtatura.catholic.edu.au
Yours in faith,
Jessie Simpson
SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS
“Don't worry about tomorrow."
Year B | Sunday 8 August | white
Preparing to hear God's word
Do you feel worried sometimes? What does it mean to worry?
When we worry, it means that we keep thinking about our problems instead of trusting God to take care of all our needs. God knows what we need before we even ask for it!
The Gospel Story
In today’s Gospel story, Jesus reminds the disciples that they don’t need to worry about what they are going to eat, or drink, or wear. He invites them to think about how much God cares for the birds and the wild flowers. Since we are worth more than birds and flowers, God will surely care for us and give us what we need.
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 6:25-34
Don't worry about tomorrow.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds?
"Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes?
Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes.
But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth was not as well clothed as one of them.
God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you!
Why do you have such little faith?
"Don't worry and ask yourselves,
'Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have clothes to wear?'
Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things.
Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else,
put God's work first and do what he wants. Then all the other things will be yours as well."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - discussion
When we are worried about something, we can pray and tell God about our problems.
Can we trust God to take care of our needs? Yes, we can!
Talk together about any worries the children may have and pray with confidence to God.
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
“The Almighty has done great things for me; the Lord has lifted up the lowly."
Year B | Sunday 15 August | white
Preparing to hear God's word
Today is a special day in the Church’s calendar. It is the day we remember the end of Mary’s life when she was taken up into heaven, body and soul. Like Mary, we hope and pray that one day we too will be with Jesus in heaven.
The Gospel Story
The Gospel Story remembers a special event in Mary’s life when she visited her cousin Elizabeth. Both women were expecting babies. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth leapt for joy! Elizabeth recognises that Mary is the mother of the Lord and celebrates Mary’s faith in God’s promise.
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:39-45
The Almighty has done great things for me; the Lord has lifted up the lowly.
Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.
She went into Zechariah's home,
where she greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
her baby moved within her.
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth.
Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:
"God has blessed you more than any other woman!
He has also blessed the child you will have.
Why should the mother of my Lord come to me?
As soon as I heard your greeting,
my baby became happy and moved within me.
The Lord has blessed you
because you believed that he will keep his promise."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - discussion
In today’s Gospel, both Mary and Elizabeth are expecting babies as a result of the promise of God. Has anyone ever made you a promise? As we heard in today’s gospel, Mary was blessed because she believed that God would keep his promises to her.
We know that God promises to love and care for us always. Share aloud some of the things you know God has done for you, and give thanks with a joyful heart!
