Religious Education 

Lent In A Bag

I wanted to reach out through the newsletter and mention the Lent in a Bags which were sent home. I hope you’ve been able to have a look through it and, I’m hoping, engaged in as much as you are comfortable. It’s completely invitational from us to your home. If you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Level Mass

Our fantastic Year 4 students and staff went over to the shared chapel on Friday 14 March for our first level Mass. Father Paul came down and celebrated with us and we are very grateful for this. The students worked very hard practicing their readings, responses, traditions and the songs. We were so happy to see so many families come and join in with us. I usually send a reminder email out the day before but had forgotten to do so. Thank you for those who did come. Remember, anyone can attend with us, whether your students are in the year level or not. It’s an invitation from us to you.

Father mentioned how pleased he was with the students' participation and respect during Mass. It’s not easy for students, especially if it’s their first ever Mass, as it requires a great deal of effort to sit patiently and quietly. But they did so well. I was blown away with their participation, especially in the final song. I would go as far as saying it was the best rendition of Brightlight that I’ve heard. The students started the year off so strong and it was a great experience of how the Church is alive today. Father did a fantastic job and his homily was excellent, expanding on the Gospel and linking it to the lives of our students. What a start! 

Our next level Mass is on May 9 with our Year 5s. I will attach a copy of the yearly Masses to the newsletter, which includes sacramental information.

Sacraments

The enrolments for Confirmation opened up this week for all students who are eligible in our parish. These close tomorrow, Thursday 20 March. If you miss this deadline, you will need to reach out to Tara at St Michael’s Parish as soon as possible. This not only cements your enrolment, but makes her life easier and prevents her having to chase families up. This is a better experience for all involved.

Commitment masses are on Saturday 29 March and Sunday 30 March at any usual Parish mass. We ask that students speak with Tara or Father upon arrival so they are aware you’re there. Students will be asked to stand to they can receive a blessing from the parishioners. Reconciliation and First Holy Communion enrolments will open in June, please see the attached flier.

Harmony Week

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​ This year’s motto is ‘everyone belongs’. If you take a look around the students, staff and parents at St Catherine’s, you can see how multicultural we are. It is what makes St Catherine’s such a special place and we hope everyone here knows that they belong to our school.

The Gospel calls for us to love each other, regardless of our differences. John chapter 13 says “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another”. This message, despite being written over 2,000 years ago, is what we are being called to do on a daily basis, but reminded of during Harmony Week. In the Old Testament, Hebrews chapter 12 asks us to “strive for peace with everyone” and Genesis chapter 1 reminds us that we were all made in the image of God.

Not only here, but it calls for us as adults to be the beacons of light within our communities. This could be at the shops, children’s sporting events, with your neighbours or even within your families. Harmony isn’t easy, otherwise we would see it all around the world, but it starts with small actions and then spreads. I hope you enjoy your Harmony Week and celebrating what makes your family special.

Sunday Scripture Spotlight

This Sunday’s scripture is from Luke 13:1-9. Below is the translation from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, as found on Bible Gateway.

Repent or Perish

13 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Gospel Reflection

The gospel reports two violent incidents, the slaughter of some Galileans, and the collapse of a tower on innocent people. These two occurrences raised the question of culpability. People wondered what terrible things the victims might have done to deserve such dire consequences. Jesus insists that they were no more guilty of sin than anyone else. He tells a parable to demonstrate the mercy of God, who is willing to give us time to repent. The lessons that Jesus teaches are sobering. First, we never know what lies ahead for us, and so we must always be reconciled with God. Second, while God may be patient with our procrastination, this patience requires that we cooperate with the opportunities provided for our maturing in righteousness