From the Religious Education Coordinator's Desk
ST JOSEPH'S FEAST DAY and FUNDRAISING
Our fundraiser on Friday 19 March coincided with the Feast Day of St Joseph. Each class participated in a prayer celebration, with the focus on St Joseph, and students then enjoyed a scrumptious and healthy meal from Subway.
There are seven aspects of St Joseph’s fatherhood that Pope Francis considers: 1) A beloved father who made his life one of service to Jesus and Mary; 2) A father who showed tenderness to Jesus; 3) A father who obeyed God’s call to love and care for Jesus and Mary; 4) A father who welcomed Mary into his life and care; 5) A father who exercised creative courage in difficult circumstances; 6) A father who taught Jesus the value, dignity and joy of work; 7) A father who placed Jesus and Mary at the centre of his life, loving them selflessly and without possessiveness. These are all qualities we can practice in fulfillment of our responsibilities to others.
Fr Bernard, Parish Bulletin Dec 2020
Year 6 Parents and Carers,
Please be advised that the Confirmation Parent Meeting will take place on Wednesday 24th March or Thursday 25th March at 6:30 pm in St John Vianney Co-Cathedral.
VINNIES VAN FUNDRAISER
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Sunday 21 March 5th week of Lent  |
We live in the time when the past and the future are made present; we live in the ‘already-but-not-yet’ time of anticipation/fulfilment. This is a moment of great ambiguity, of fear and trepidation but of electric excitement. It is a moment of decision. We hover at the edge of dawn, weighing whether or not to step forward into the new day or to return to the darkness of night. This ‘hour’ brings a new covenant, a deep interior relationship with God that is not based on law but which overflows from a commitment of the heart. It brings an abundant harvest that springs from a simple grain of wheat. It brings a promise from God’s own Son that those who serve him will be honoured by God, and those who obey him will enjoy eternal life. Although the ‘hour’ brings all of these blessings, it only does so with a price. The new covenant could only be written on new hearts; the abundant harvest sprang from the dying grain of wheat; eternal salvation was won at the price of Christ’s blood. As challenging as the message of these readings may be, the last note is one of hope. It can overcome the demons that control us, because it is the power of the almighty God. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
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Sunday 28 March Palm Sunday  |
In this final Lenten Sunday, we see that we have been saved through the kenotic (partial renunciation of divine nature) humility of Jesus, not through military power. We have a saviour who was crushed for our iniquities, nailed to a cross as a convicted criminal, and there endured the sense of abandonment. However, this saviour was later lifted up and exalted precisely because he emptied himself of his divine prerogatives. Jesus became one of us in order to show us how we are to live. He was raised up because he himself was first willing to be put down. The passion recounts the extent to which he willingly offered himself. We have a saviour who first offered himself for us and then continues to offer himself to us as an example to follow. As he was willing to empty himself for our sake, so we are told to empty ourselves for the sake of others. The best way to enter Holy Week with him is in the company of those with whom he has identified himself: the poor and the broken; the humiliated and the marginalised; those who suffer the abuse of others; those who never use rank to force their will. If we are to be saved, we must go where salvation takes place: in our streets and in our homes where violence rages; in the dark corners of life where despair seems to hold sway; wherever the innocent are abused or the needy are neglected; wherever there is misunderstanding or fear or jealousy. We must go wherever Christ empties himself for us. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
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