Religious Education

“Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mk 4:35-41

Jesus calms the storm

The dramatic Scripture about Jesus calming the storm captures our attention to the power Jesus retains but also the lack of faith the disciples retain. Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They had just witnessed Jesus rebuking the storm to peace yet they still wavered in their faith to believe.

We too are challenged by the storms in our lives, however our faith in our Christ Jesus is what can assist us on our journey. Trust is another important element derived from the biblical text. How or who can we trust?  We are invited to ponder our faith and the trust in others.

The challenge can be in pondering some of these questions:

What is the true meaning of this Scripture?

Who is in your boat?

Do you recognise the people of the biblical text from two thousand years ago, to people in your own life today?

Who or what do you fear?

What is the storm for us today?

Where do you find calm?

Where do you find trust?

How is your faith strengthened?

Why do we lose trust?

When is trust needed most?

Dear Lord,

In life there will be storms.

Storms that cause our world to rock and shake.

Storms that feel like we are sinking.

Lord, bring peace and calm to the storms.

Remind us that You are with us and that You control the waters.

Teach me to trust in You so that when the unexpected storms of life come,

I will expect peace in the midst of those storms, ‘knowing that You are near, You hear my cries,

And You are with me and for me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

First Eucharist Candidates 2020

FIRST COMMUNION CEREMONIES for children who have completed their preparation for First Communion in 2020.  Please contact the parish office to book your child’s ceremony date on 5996 1985. Ceremonies held every weekend until August 2021. Up to 5 Candidates per Weekend Masses Saturday 6.00pm, Sunday 7.30am, 9.00am, 10.45am & 6.00pm.  For family members and guests wishing to attend the ceremony, online Mass attendance bookings are required. These bookings can be made via our parish website. Parents and children are encouraged to attend Reconciliation prior to the ceremony.

Reconciliation

Reconciliation and other liturgical celebrations will not be taking place at school for the remainder of the term due to COVID restrictions.  Parents are therefore encouraged to take their children to Church for Mass and Reconciliation, especially for those students receiving Sacraments.

Confirmation

We have been informed by the Bishop's Office that the new dates for Confirmation have been scheduled for Thursday 29th July at 4.30pm and 6.30pm and Friday 30th July at 4.30pm and 6.30pm.  Online bookings for Confirmation Masses will be open in the 2nd week of July via the St Agatha's Parish website. Due to restrictions, 5 slots per family have been allocated in the Church: candidate, sponsor plus 3 family members. 

Grow in gratitude and empathy.

Michelle Hinds