Catholic Identity

The Good Samaritan - Luke 10: 25-37

Last Sunday’s gospel was centred around the Good Samaritan. On the surface, the parable seems to tell the story of horrible people who simply walk past the injured man without stopping to help. When you spend time unpacking the story however, we learn that Samaritans and Jewish people did not get along. It would not have surprised Jesus’ audience to know that the Levite and the Priest did not stop to help. If they had stopped to help they would have become ‘unclean’ and would not have been able to go about their daily life. In this space, their faith prevented their compassion. The Samaritan, who did stop to help, disregarded the ‘rules’ to help the injured man. In the world today, we are called to be a Samaritan to others, to override our own judgements to reach out to those in need, even if it makes us feel uncomfortable.

Lord, as one entrusted to carry on your healing mission,

help me to be ever aware of the commandment

to love you and to love my neighbour as myself.

Help me to be a merciful neighbour and a compassionate caregiver

even when it is inconvenient,

when time is short or other responsibilities loom.

Help me to remember the Good Samaritan

and Jesus’ simple message:

Go, and do likewise.

(From Catholic Education Office - Colleen Hampson)

NAIDOC Week- 3-10th July 2022.

Children this week have had opportunities to be immersed in cultural activities important to our local First Nations People. From basket weaving, to leaf printing and painting using icons, and sharing dreaming stories, students have had fun learning about Yorta Yorta culture. At St Mary’s, we seize every opportunity to connect with, and learn from our First Nation’s people and commit to ongoing learning from them for the benefit of our school and wider community.

Part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations included our FIRE Carrier’s Commisioning.

The Acronym FIRE stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education.

Congratulations to the students and staff who were chosen to become FIRE Carriers for our community. Once a FIRE Carrier, always a FIRE Carrier.

As FIRE Carriers we honor the foundations that have been laid and commit to the 3 core values of Reconciliation… they are Spirituality, Practical Reconciliation and Justice and Cultural Recognition and Awareness.

2022 Fire Carriers

Student FIRE Carriers:

Matilda Smith

Isabelle Porter

Charlotte Wilson

Hayley Kirchhofer

Maggie Oliver

Elisha Fonseka

Charlotte Shawcross

Tom Kilborn

Josh Parker

Zara McRae

Lucy Seabrook

Jemma Lewis

Chastity Firebrace-Kerr

Jordan Greentree

Arli Walker

Staff FIRE Carriers

Hugh Macaulay

Terrina Phelan

Kerisha Milnes

As we stand around this fire, let us receive its warmth as we pray to the Holy Spirit;

Holy Spirit, be on our lips, that we may speak the truth in kindness, put your glow in our eyes, that we may see what is good in life and in all people

Holy Spirit, burn in our ears, that we may hear with deep listening, be in our arms and hands, that we may serve others with care

Holy Spirit, be in our legs and feet so that we may walk the earth with respect and give thanks for its life-giving nourishment

Holy Spirit, brand our hearts with the eternal flame of your love, that we may become the bearers of peace, beauty, hope, harmony and Reconciliation.

(This blessing prayer is over 40,000 years old and belonged to the original Australian people - from the Aboriginal People of the Kimberley.)

Steps in Faith Program

Children have begun the next phase in their Sacramental journey by meeting for their Confirmation Faith Formation. At this meeting, we shared our baptism stories and discussed how, when our parents chose baptism for us, we were welcomed into the church family, and when we are confirmed, we are actively choosing to stay in our faith community.

Year level masses

Will begin in week three this term. We are greatly looking forward to having friends and family join our masses to celebrate together with Fr Novi.

Altar Servers

Any children who have celebrated their Confirmation / First Eucharist in the last 3 years are invited to join our school and/or parish Altar Server roster. Some children participated in a training session in the holidays and are very much looking forward to their first opportunity to serve at mass in our parish. If your child would like to learn how to altar serve in our school and/or parish, please email Mrs Gould to express an interest. We will be running a training session at school this term and would love more children to join us.

lgould@smechuca.catholic.edu.au

St Mary’s Parish Expo

- Save the date: Friday 26th August 2022. More details to come soon.

St Mary’s Parish Weekend masses:

Saturday 6pm & Sunday 9.30am - all welcome.

St Mary’s Parish Centre

224-230 Anstruther Street, Echuca

Ph: (03) 5482 1127

Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9.00am - 1.00pm

All other enquires:

Colette Porter 0457 583 536 admin@stmarysechuca.org.au

Christine Sebire: 0411 627 645 christine@stmarysechuca.org.au

Website: www.stmarysechuca.org.au

Facebook- St Mary’s Parish Echuca