Catholic Identity
Confirmation and First Eucharist ‘Steps in Faith’ Program began on Monday night.
It was a wonderful opportunity for children to share stories of their Baptism, and share about their identity and belonging.
Although disappointing we cannot meet altogether and attend Sunday Mass during the Sacramental Program – I believe all students and family are making the most of our online opportunities. Thank you to all who attended!
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
"He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."
Year B | Sunday 5 September | green
Preparing to hear God's word
Close your eyes and try to imagine you can hear nothing at all. What does it feel like?
Now imagine not being able to speak or not being understood by others. What might this feel like?
The Gospel Story
A man who is deaf and cannot speak is brought to Jesus. Jesus takes him to one side to heal him. He puts his fingers in the man's ears and puts spittle on the man's tongue. This seems a strange action to us but in those days the spittle of an important person was considered to have powers that could cure. All the people were amazed at the wonderful things Jesus did.
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 7:31-37
He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.
Jesus left the region around Tyre and went by way of Sidon toward Lake Galilee.
He went through the land near the ten cities known as Decapolis.
Some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk.
They begged Jesus just to touch him.
After Jesus had taken him aside from the crowd, he stuck his fingers in the man's ears.
Then he spit and put it on the man's tongue.
Jesus looked up toward heaven, and with a groan he said,
"Effatha!" which means "Open up!"
At once the man could hear, and he had no more trouble talking clearly.
Jesus told the people not to say anything about what he had done.
But the more he told them, the more they talked about it.
They were completely amazed and said,
"Everything he does is good!
He even heals people who cannot hear or talk."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - discussion
Invite children to close their eyes, and become very still and quiet in order to listen carefully to all the surrounding sounds.
Ask children to think about their favourite sounds. What are they? Why is it so good to hear these sounds? Whose voice do they like to hear?
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
"You must take up your cross and follow me."
Year B | Sunday 12 September | green
Gathering
Create a simple prayer focus.
It might be a small table with a candle, bible, and perhaps some items from nature to suit the liturgical season.
Light a candle.
Be still.
Preparing to hear God's word
How do people show that they believe in God?
What sorts of things do they do? How do they act towards others? How do they speak to others?
The Gospel Story
In today’s story, Jesus tells us that we must take up our cross and follow him. In Jesus’ time, a criminal would carry a large wooden cross that was bigger than an adult person. The wooden crosses were heavy and difficult to carry. Jesus didn’t mean we should carry a real cross. He meant that following Jesus would not be easy. He meant that we should obey Jesus even when we don’t feel like it and even when it is really hard.
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 8:31-35
You must take up your cross and follow me.
Jesus began telling his disciples what would happen to him.
He said, "The nation's leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses
will make the Son of Man suffer terribly.
He will be rejected and killed, but three days later he will rise to life."
Then Jesus explained clearly what he meant.
Peter took Jesus aside and told him to stop talking like that.
But when Jesus turned and saw the disciples, he corrected Peter.
He said to him, "Satan, get away from me! You are thinking like everyone else and not like God."
Jesus then told the crowd and the disciples to come closer, and he said:
"If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself.
You must take up your cross and follow me.
If you want to save your life, you will destroy it.
But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - discussion
Following Jesus is something we put into action in our lives.
Talk about the good deeds each person has done recently. Ask everyone to try and look for ways to help people this week – it may be just to listen or to make someone laugh.
