RENews

Lenten Season

The power of PRAYER during the Lenten Season

Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the Catholic Church’s season of LENT. 

The marking of the ashes on our forehead was a public expression of our faith and humility. 

The Lenten season is a time when we seek guidance from God and do our best to live as God would want us. During this time we prepare our hearts for Easter.  

It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. 

By praying, fasting and giving alms, we are reminded of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all 

people.  In John's Gospel, we hear the words that Jesus uttered to the people of his time. Jesus said, “Have a life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) 

Today this message speaks to us in many different ways. For the staff and students at St Raphael's, we turn to the Gospel and pray to the Lord to fill us with hope and let his light shine and guide our way. 

Engaging with Scripture

At St Raphael's, staff and students engage with Scripture regularly. During this Lenten season, we engage with and explore the passages taken from the New Testament. In particular, this year we will focus on Luke's gospel.  

We encourage our families to engage in dialogue with their children and unpack understandings and the significance of Lent. Both parents and children can share learnings,  understandings and experiences.  

Today, we encourage our families to find a few minutes to engage with scripture. This week the scripture passage has been chosen from Luke's Gospel and taken from the first Sunday's reading for Lent. We have also provided some background understanding from the passage. The Temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-4).

Background Understanding & Interpretation:

The 40 days of Lent correspond to Jesus’ own 40 days spent in the desert. On this First Sunday of Lent, the gospel speaks of the temptations of Jesus in the desert. Forty is a significant number in Scripture and usually means a necessary and not-so-comfortable prelude to something new. For Jesus, it was a period of preparation for his coming mission, one which would be governed by the law of the Spirit rather than a law chiselled in stone. By preaching a message that was so different, Jesus was making things very uncomfortable for many! Perhaps this includes us too! (CEVN-Daily Prayer)

Direct Gospel Passage:

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone”.’

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him”.’

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone”.’ 

Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”.’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Education Week 2022 - The Way of the Gospel.

Catholic Education Week: The Way of the Gospel.(Sunday 13 March  to Sunday 20 March).

During this nominated week all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne celebrate and acknowledge their Catholic identity and Religious Education i Catholic schools. It is an opportunity to recognise how Religious Education plays a pivotal role within our school community.  

'The Way of the Gospel' is this years theme and it is based on Archbishop Peter A Comensoli’s Pastoral Letter for Pentecost 2021; Taking the Way of the Gospel. It asks us to reflect on Jesus' life and teachings and to draw meaning. The Way of the Gospel challenges us to find the living Christ in our midst, and to reflect, respond and adapt accordingly, whilst living within this diverse culture.

We ask that you take some time to ponder upon the following questions?  

• How might our local communities of faith continue to address the missionary call of the gospel into the future? 
• How might we invite people into the fullness of the gospel of life, and do so with a sense of vibrancy and vitality?

Project Compassion 2022  

At St Raphael's we support Caritas Australia by raising money through Project Compassion.

Once again we ask our school and parish community to support Caritas Australia in working together to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity for all future generation. 

Over the forty days of Lent we are ask all families to do three special things: pray, fast and give. 

Your donations will contribute in supporting communities in need around the world. 

Please go to the Caritas website to see how lives are changed and the number of projects Caritas currently run and support: http://www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion. 

The eldest child in the family will take home a Project Compassion box. We ask if families could generously give to this organisation. We ask that all money/boxes be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher in the first week back of Term Two 

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity. 

Sacrament of Confirmation

Thank you to all the families who attended the Confirmation parent/child night and for all your support in completing the family packs and in attending Mass. 

In regards to Mass attendance prior to the Confirmation ceremony, Fr Simon is offering any of the weekend masses (times displayed on website) as well as on a Tuesday afternoon at 4pm. Candidates must be accompanied by a parent/adult. Confirmation candidates are asked to attend at least 2-3 Masses prior to the celebration.

Bishop Terry Curtin will be visiting the Confirmation candidates on Wednesday 9 March at 1pm.  The Confirmation Retreat will be on Thursday 17th March. Notices and details will posted on Operoo in the coming days.