Making Jesus Real

Throughout the year we invite our families to reinforce each set of social skills that are the focus for our fortnight. These social skills link with the Making Jesus Real (MJR) program in our school.

For weeks 9, 10 & 11 of Term 2 our MJR Focus is:

Enthusiasm:

1. Smiling at others.

2. Being positive.

Our MJR scripture for this fortnight is:

‘Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ 2 Cor 9:7.

Refugee Week

Refugee Week is Australia’s annual activity to inform the public about refugees and celebrate positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. The first Refugee Week events were organised in Sydney in 1986 by Austcare.

Refugee Week provides a platform where positive images of refugees can be promoted in order to create a culture of welcome throughout the country. The ultimate aim of the celebration is to create better understanding between different communities and to encourage successful integration enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to Australia.

The Refugee Week aims are:

• to educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia;

• to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia; • to celebrate the contribution refugees, make to our community;

• to focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees;

• for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people, within Australia but also around the world;

• for service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees.

Prayer for ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND REFUGEES

Wise and compassionate God, help us to bear

the burdens refugees and asylum-seekers

carry and not simply seek to shift the burden onto others.

Call our leaders to justice, generosity

and compassion. Help them create and

implement strategies that are fair and just and treat refugees and asylum-seekers with dignity and care.

O God, our comforter, we ask you to comfort

the broken-hearted and protect the

vulnerable. We pray for those who live in

fear of detention and removal, for those who

are in detention at this time and for those

who face removal to an uncertain future.

We ask you to assure them of your great love,

surround them with your presence and fill

them with your peace.

God bless our eyes so that we will recognise

injustices. God bless our ears so that we

will hear the cry of the stranger. God bless

our mouths so that we will speak words

of welcome to newcomers. God bless our

shoulders so we will be able to bear the

weight of struggling for justice. God bless our

hands so that we can work together with

all people to establish peace.

AMEN

St. Brendan’s Parish Sacramental Program

Due to the current Corona Virus Pandemic it has been decided that the 2020 St. Brendan’s Parish Sacramental Program will NOT be going ahead this year.

However, provided that restrictions are lifted we will introduce a new parish Sacramental Program later in the year, this program will be spread over two years - 2020 and 2021.

This would mean that children in Year 2 this year and higher will be invited to enroll in the program. Children will complete the Sacrament of Reconciliation in October and November of this year and return to complete the program (Confirmation and First Eucharist) in 2021.

I am unable to provide any dates for this new program at the moment but will notify families if and when we are able to proceed with this new format.

If you know families interested in the Sacramental Program, that have children in Year two or higher and who do not attend our catholic schools, please ask them to register their interest by emailing Laura at sacramental.coord@bigpond.com

I can be contacted at the Parish Office on Tuesday and Wednesday’s 58212633 or via the above email if you have any questions.

Hope to see you all later in the year, until then stay safe and well.

Fr. Joe Taylor and Laura O’Sullivan.

Prayer & Reflections

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus