Education in Faith
MINI VINNIES
A big congratulations to SFS Mini Vinnies who were commissioned this week and received their badges.
The Mini Vinnies action team received their badges Monday afternoon and the lunchtime Mini Vinnies group received theirs on Tuesday.
I would like to thank Christine for presenting their badges and making it a special occasion for the students.
The lunchtime Mini Vinnies have generously given their time already this year to raise money for Caritas during Lent and assist with the food collection for our Hampton Park St Vincent de Paul Conference.
We are now heading towards Christmas and both groups will be focussed on our Christmas appeal. Late November, early December our Giving Tree will go up in the foyer with gift tags of children with age and whether they are female or male.
We hope you will be able to buy a Christmas present for those children who may otherwise not get a present this year, especially with so many people out of work. As parents will not be able to enter the school to collect the gift tags, we are asking that you write a note in your child’s diary allowing them to collect a gift tag and the Mini Vinnies will assist them each morning and afternoon to collect a tag.
Late November or early December your child will also come home with a food/toiletry/Christmas item to purchase for their Home Group’s Christmas Hamper.
Once again we hope you will be able to assist us in gathering food/Christmas items to help those less fortunate celebrate Christmas. All of these items will go to the Hampton Park St Vincent de Paul Conference who will distribute them mid December.
On behalf of the Mini Vinnies I would like to thank you for your support. SFS always donates kindly to any of the appeals the Mini Vinnies organise. And remember House points will be given which will go towards the House Community Spirit Award that will be presented to the House that has demonstrated their willingness to assist others less fortunate.
With thanks,
Giuliana and SFS Mini Vinnies
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
Gospel Reflection
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus gives the people a message that is different for them, He talks all about blessings. We use the word bless a lot but maybe do not know what it means. When someone sneezes we usually say, "Bless you!" It is not completely clear why we say that but the word bless is a positive word.
Jesus had been walking with his disciples always teaching and talking with them. More and more people would see Jesus and follow him because they could sense there was something special about him. The way he spoke and what he spoke about captured everyone's attention.
This was one of those days, people had been following, and Jesus decided to stop on a hillside with his disciples and teach to all who wanted to listen.
Jesus makes ten points in the first part of his sermon known as the Beatitudes. All except one of these points start with the word blessed. To be blessed is to be more than happy. Life does not always go our way, sometimes we get sick or someone gets hurt and of course this does not make us happy but being blessed is being full of joy on the inside even if things are not perfect.
In this Gospel, Jesus promises his listeners a share of God’s kingdom in the future. He describes how we must act in order to live forever with God. The ideas and actions Jesus presents sound different to the people on the mountain and even to us today because they are different from ideas in our culture. It will be those who are poor, weak and without power who will be with God. Jesus wants us to understand that we must change our ideas of earthly goods to the humble holiness of the kingdom.
Listening to the Word of God
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Thinking Questions
• What ideas and actions does Jesus reject in today’s Gospel?
• What is surprising to the people when they hear the words of Jesus?
• According to Jesus, how will weak and powerless people be rewarded?
• Who are the poor, weak and powerless in our world today that Jesus might be thinking of in this passage?
• Who has brought peace or mercy to your life?
• Which of these qualities best describes you? Why?
Sacramental News
- Confirmation candidates please remember to pay your Sacramental levy ($15) by the end of next week.
- return completed banner to your child’s teacher by Tuesday 1st December.
- Students meet Fr. Dong via zoom on Friday (6/11, 20/11, 11/12).
Rozeta Ambrose – RE- Sacraments
rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au