Education in Faith

Sacramental News and Dates

Sacrament Levy

There is a $25 Sacrament Levy to cover the cost for:

•  a guest speaker to conduct a Parent and Child Workshop for each Sacrament.
• professionally made stoles for ALL 3 Sacraments. 
• a candle for children receiving reconciliation.
• children receiving First Eucharist and Confirmation to travel to St. Kevin’s Church for Reconciliation, Eucharist practice by bus.

This levy needs to be paid in full to the school in an envelope clearly indicating your child’s name, Home Group and name of Sacrament being received at the start of the year, before or on the day of your Family Workshop Session.

During the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent in Year A feature significant passages from the gospel of John. 

The first of the three readings is the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, to whom Jesus described himself as Living Water. 

The second was the healing of the blind man and Jesus declaring himself to be the Light of the World. 

In this week’s Gospel passage about the death and raising of Lazarus, Jesus declares, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ Living Water; Light of the World; and the Resurrection and the Life – three very important images of Jesus that all emerge from the gospel of John. 

Each of the events relate to Jesus’ response to some physical need: thirst; blindness; and death. However, in each case, Jesus not only responds to the physical need but also reveals a truth about himself that leads people to belief.

The raising of Lazarus from the dead, marks a turning point in the gospel of John. In going to save the life of his friend, Lazarus, Jesus knows that he is journeying towards his own death. 

Scriptural context – Jesus wept

‘Jesus wept’ is the shortest verse in the New Testament. Just two little words carry a world of emotion and speak volumes about Jesus. Pope Leo I used this verse to highlight the two natures of Jesus, pointing out that in his humanity, Jesus wept for the death of his friend, but in his divinity Jesus raised Lazarus to life. Lazarus and his sisters were close friends of Jesus and Jesus is clearly emotional about the death and its effect on Martha and Mary. That Jesus is about to restore Lazarus to life does not deny the grief and mourning at Lazarus’ death.

Gospel Focus – Death for Life

As the events of the Passion unfold through this gospel, the reader has a very clear impression in their mind that if Jesus had not come to Judea; had not raised Lazarus; then he would not have been arrested and crucified. The reader is also drawn into the revelation that the sacrifice of Jesus was not solely for Lazarus but rather for all humanity. This realisation leads the reader to the ultimate humbling conclusion that if the sacrifice of Jesus was for people then the reader themselves is also the recipient of that sacrifice.

Discussion Starters

• In today’s gospel Jesus brought Lazarus back to life after he had been buried in a tomb. How would Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha have felt?
• The Spirit of Jesus gives us life. How can we give life and hope to others?
• Why do you think Jesus did not respond immediately on hearing of his friend’s illness?
• How would you describe the attitude with which Martha and Mary first speak to Jesus?
• Why might this action of raising Lazarus have angered the Jewish authorities so much?
• In what ways can the story of raising Lazarus be seen as an extended metaphor?
• In what aspects of your life do you feel ‘bound up’ and in need of release?
• What conclusions can be drawn from the fact that Jesus was friends with a family who lived only two miles from Jerusalem?
• What other evidence is in the text to suggest that Jesus had been in Jerusalem before this event?
• In what ways can the story of Lazarus be applied to the need for reconciliation with self and others?
• What aspects of your life do you need to ‘die’ to or let go of to enter into a fuller, richer life?

God Bless

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Thu, who lives in Vietnam. When Thu was 12 years old, he stepped on an unexploded land mine and lost his leg. ​

Living with a disability in rural Vietnam presented many challenges for Thu, who worked mainly as a rice farmer. Thu also took on the role of caring for his wife, Linh, after she suffered a stroke.​

Determined to turn their lives around, Thu and Linh joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities program, run by Caritas Australia’s local partner in Vietnam, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD).   

For Thu, the greatest impact the program has had is enabling the change in Linh’s physical and mental wellbeing. With the support of a physiotherapist, Linh can now walk short distances with the aid of a walking stick. 

Watch a short film about Thu’s story here. 

Each Learning Space and the Office has Project Compassion boxes decorated in the House colours. 

We are encouraging students and parents to donate to Caritas through their House box. Families that would like to take a project compassion box home can collect one from the office. 

They will need to be returned in the last week of school with your child’s house name on it if you would like the money you collect to go towards your child’s house points. 

This week Mini Vinnies counted the money in the Project Compassion Boxes. The total amount donated by each House is:

                                                1st                           Patrick                  $84.85

                                                2nd                          Bosco                    $74.90

                                                3rd                           MacKillop            $43.60

                                                4th                           Teresa                  $38.70

The total collected so far is $242.05. Thank you to everyone. Another update will be provided next week and the Monday amounts will be added to the Community Spirit Award points.

Our Community Spirit Award Competition updates for last week, which includes house points and Caritas money donated:

1st                     Patrick             1097    

2nd                   MacKillop       1027                            

3rd                    Teresa              1024                            

4th                    Bosco                  914      

Well done to Patrick!!! Let’s see who is leading next week. 

Giuliana