Religious Dimension
Our Gospel Challenge this week is to... "forgive others."
Jesus’ teaching about the need to settle conflict, the basis of last week’s gospel, was a surprising summons for Christians to fly in the face of an accepted standard of judgement and condemnation. The message from yesterday's gospel when Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive another was even more outrageous! There is no end to the forgiveness offered. For the average person, represented by Peter, forgiving another person seven times would show a very substantial commitment to mercy. Seven is used in the Bible to signify perfection, so Peter is not being mean in his suggestion. This is a very reasonable degree of tolerance. Yet Jesus, in his parable of the servant who is forgiven a debt equivalent to millions but cannot forgive his fellow a lesser sum, turns our human understanding of what constitutes a fair thing on its head. God’s forgiveness is remarkable, but it is dependent on our willingness to forgive each other in the same way.
A Prayer for COVID19
A Message from Father Dispin to the Community
Please remember that Father Dispin records Mass each week for families to view. It can be found on the Parish Website along with the weekly Parish newsletter.
https://stjohnsmitcham.com.au/
Socktober
We can see the need for justice in the world and stop poverty and do something about it by participating in Socktober 2020. We need your help! We invite all parents to register their children as Socktober Stars at the link below so they can be part of it: http://www.socktober.org.au/fundraising/schools/st-johns-primary-school-mitcham
Should you choose, please consider helping your child set a target and fundraise for vulnerable children, to fulfill their basic needs. Once registered, students can ask their friends and families to sponsor them in tackling each week’s activities and kicking goals for kids around the world.
Thank you to those that have already registered. Already we have 32 students registered and the St John's Community has raised an amazing $710.
Childhood Cancer Awareness
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Chrissy and Erin (5/6AB) made yellow ribbon pins and raised over $108.75 by selling them to students and staff onsite and families on Walk to School Day. The money is being donated to Camp Quality. Bartek (5/6KR) shaved his head to raise awareness of the issue of Childhood Cancer.
If you were unable to purchase a ribbon on Walk to School Day you may like to make a donation to any of the following charities that support childhood cancer.
https://dipg.org/dipg-facts/what-is-dipg/
https://www.campquality.org.au/
https://www.isabellaandmarcusfoundation.org/
Thank you for your support.
Monica O'Shannassy
moshannassy@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au