Prayer and Worship

St Mary Mackillop Feast Day

Last Thursday we celebrated the Feast of Saint Mary Mackillop. As our only Australian saint, Saint Mary Mackillop is honoured in Catholic schools on the 8th of August all over Australia. At St Joseph’s, honouring Saint Mary is particularly important and we had a big day planned, which included beginning our day by gathering as a community for Mass and holding a Market Day to raise money for our Global Schools partner, Riamabana. The thing about big plans is that it is like a performance, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make the event happen.  The beautiful rain that soaked our winter grounds on Thursday morning meant that we did not get to follow through with our plans for Mass and our Market venue moved to our school hall.

Challenges that impact plans that have taken weeks of preparation, such as the rain, can be difficult to overcome. Yet, as I reflected on a day that in spite of the challenges, our Saint Mary Mackillop Feast Day was an outstanding example of the spirit of Saint Mary Mackillop alive in our community. The St Joseph’s community trusted in God’s providence, came together to do something about a need that we see (Riamabana) and through charity of thought, word and act were the face of God to each other. Well done St Joseph’s for a fantastic day where we raised approximately $2400 for Riamabana.

Catholic Liturgical Life

Liturgical Season: Ordinary Time

Liturgical Season Colour: Green

In the Gospel for this coming Sunday, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Luke (Luke 12:49-53 challenges us with the message that Jesus has come not only to bring peace but also division.

The Gospel this week is a challenging one. After reminding the apostles that facing the coming judgment takes patience, Jesus tells of how difficult it will be to wait. His message, that he has come to set the earth on fire is one often viewed as one of peace. Peace is the goal of the Kingdom of God, but peace has a price. Jesus is warning the apostles that wherever the Word of God is heard and acted upon, division occur. The coming judgment forces us to look at our own commitments. As we heard in last Sunday's Gospel, a commitment of faith requires us to change our attitude toward material possessions and to take even more seriously our moral responsibilities. A commitment to Jesus forces us to change the way we live our lives, and this can put strains on relationships.

Hearing such words from Jesus can challenge our perception of Jesus as Prince of Peace. However, being reminded that the decision to do the right thing is often not easy or without conflict. Today, Jesus reminds us to be prepared for difficult decisions and division as well. 

Sacraments

Sacrament of Confirmation

Students in Year 6 can now be enrolled in the Sacrament of Confirmation at the link below. Please add the Sacrament of Confirmation and preparation session dates and times to your calendars. A reminder that the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place with Archbishop Christopher Prowse on the last Sunday of the holidays before Term 4 commences.

Please enrol at http://bit.ly/sacraments2019

If you do not have a Google account you can use your child’s school account to register. Please contact Father Paul  if you have any questions about the Sacrament of Confirmation at:   paul_nulley@hotmail.com

Confirmation Classes

(Year 6)

5.15pm in the Learning Hub followed by Mass at 6.00pm in the Church

Saturday 31 August

Saturday 7 September

Saturday 14 September

Saturday 21 September

Sacrament of Confirmation

Sunday 13 October 9am