Religious Dimension

This Week's Gospel John 14:7-14 

 "He who sees me, also sees the Father!"

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If you know me, you know my Father too.

From this moment you know him and have seen him.’

Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’ ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him, ‘and you still do not know me?’

‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,

so how can you say, “Let us see the Father?”

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?'

Jesus teaches us that he and the Father are one God.  We can not have one without the other nor would we want to because we need them both. This week, endeavour to find Jesus in others and seek to discover the truths about God the Father, and support your children to also see God in others and nature. 

Sacramental Program - First Eucharist and Confirmation

Confirmation

Our Year 6 students are beginning their preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our Parent Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 23 May, at 7pm in the Coghlan Centre.

Adult Faith Formation with Father Elio Capra

On Monday, 24 April, Father Elio posed a very thought provoking question to our school staff which was, 'What makes a Catholic School 'Catholic' in the 21st century?' 

There was so much wonder and appreciation around famous religious paintings from artists such as Sandro Botticelli and Rembrandt. Father Elio explained the context when each painting was created, and the history at the time. Interestingly, paintings of  Jesus being crucified were minimal in the early church as artists did not want to portray him this way as they feared his followers would not want to worship Jesus this way. He was usually painted as a child or when he was young. 

At around 420 AD,  El Greco began to paint Jesus on the cross for the first time. This in fact,  helped believers to see the Crucifixion as a symbol of sacrifice and unconditional love. Jesus taught us all to Love one another as I have loved you as he laid down his life for us.

At home try this simple prayer with your family each day and when you need comfort. Modelling this to your children will help them to engage in a practice that can provide comfort and reassurance in times that they need spiritual support.

May God be in my mind

May God be on my lips

May God be in my heart

Father Elio reminded us that prayer is like the Eucharist. It is not something that is done only but should be treated like it is the food for our soul.  We need food to survive physically, prayer and celebrating the Eucharist provides fuel for us spiritually. 

'Eat this bread and drink this cup', to nurture yourself spiritually.

Grandparents and Special Visitors Day - 24 May

Melinda Buscema

mbuscema@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

Thank-you from Caritas

Dear St John's Primary School,

I wanted to quickly reach out and personally thank you for your support earlier this year of our Turkey-Syria Emergency Appeal. Thousands of people have been killed after a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey (officially known as Türkiye) and Syria, followed by another large earthquake only hours later. 

Caritas Australia is working with the Caritas Confederation on the ground to respond to the devastation caused by the earthquake. The Caritas Network is coordinating with local authorities, to gather information and organise the response. 

Your support will help the Caritas Network provide urgent aid, assistance and life-saving essentials, such as food rations, clean water and emergency to vulnerable communities affected by the Turkey Syria earthquake. This assistance has all been made possible thanks to our wonderful supporters like yourselves, so thank you again for choosing to fundraise for our Turkey-Syria Emergency Appeal.

If you would like to hear about the work we do, or ever need assistance with future fundraising events, please do contact me on 02 9334 1934 and I can certainly support you.

Warmest regards,

Holly 

Holly.Dean@caritas.org.au