Religious Dimension
Our Gospel Challenge this week is to ......
"Remember Jesus whenever we see a cross."
Jesus, you invite us all into the fullness of life.
May we support one another to flourish in body, mind and spirit.
Strengthen our commitment to ensure that nobody falls through gaps in our systems of care. People called you mad.
Help us to recognise you in those who suffer mental ill-health today.
Show us how to eliminate stigmatisation of mental ill-health from our parishes, schools, communities and organisations.
You drew near to those who were suffering in body or mind.
May we too feel your nearness when we struggle with mental health challenges.
May we be one as members of Your Body.
You invite us to share in your ministry of love and true compassion.
May we be empowered by your Spirit to reach out to all people in need.
May we build communities of welcome and inclusion.
Amen
Social Justice Sunday
In a tradition reaching back to 1940, the Australian Catholic Bishops release major social justice statements each year in time for Social Justice Sunday. Through this tradition they contribute to the development of local Catholic social teaching. The statements encourage the Catholic community to reflect and act on social, economic and ecological issues. They remind us of the social dimension of the mission of the Church. Yesterday was Social Justice Sunday. In the Social Justice Statement To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today, the Bishops welcome the deinstitutionalisation of mental health care in Australia. However, without adequately funded community mental health services, there is a gap in the system through which people continue to fall. Social determinants including poverty, living conditions, and personal security are significant contributors to mental ill-health. The Statement highlights the experience of First Nations people and communities, asylum seekers and refugees, people who are homeless and those who are in prison.
The Bishops observe that “our society tends to draw away from, or to push away, those who confront us with our frailties and limitations” which is “completely at odds with the story of Jesus” who “takes on the frailty of the human condition” and ”draws near to those who are sick or who have disabilities, those who are marginalized or despised”. People living with mental ill-health are part of the Body of Christ – ‘us’ and not ‘them’ – and share equally in Jesus’ promise of the fullness of life (Jn 10:10).
The full statement can be downloaded via the link below:
https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2020/07/03/social-justice-statement-2020-21/
Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is a relatively recent addition to Catholic liturgical celebrations. In 2015, Pope Francis added the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation to the Catholic liturgical calendar, to be celebrated on 1 September each year, happily the first day of Spring for us in Australia, until 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Season of Creation is a liturgical season dedicated to prayer, reflection, and celebration of God as Creator. It also celebrates and reflects prayerfully on the gifts of creation and the mission given to us by God to care for creation, and respond to its needs and crises today.
Socktober
We can see the need for justice in the world and stop poverty and do something about it by participating in Socktober 2020. We need your help! We invite all parents to register their children as Socktober Stars at the link below so they can be part of it: http://www.socktober.org.au/fundraising/schools/st-johns-primary-school-mitcham
Should you choose, please consider helping your child set a target and fundraise for vulnerable children, to fulfill their basic needs. Once registered, students can ask their friends and families to sponsor them in tackling each week’s activities and kicking goals for kids around the world.
Thank you to those that have already registered. Already we have 30 students registered and the St John's Community has raised an amazing $544.
Childhood Cancer Awareness
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
We decided to make yellow ribbons to raise awareness of this tragic disease. Staff and students onsite are able to purchase the yellow ribbons for $1:00 each. Families at home will be able to purchase the ribbons from the front of the school but in lieu of that, they may like to make a donation to any of the following charities that support childhood cancer.
https://dipg.org/dipg-facts/what-is-dipg/
https://www.campquality.org.au/
https://www.isabellaandmarcusfoundation.org/
Thank you for your support.
Erin & Chrissy 5/6AB
St John's Parish Website
Please remember that Fr Dispin is recording his Sunday masses and they are on the parish website. So too are many other resources that may assist you Spiritually during this time of isolation. https://stjohnsmitcham.com.au/
Monica O'Shannassy
moshannassy@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au