I wanted to share my heartfelt gratitude to all those who attended the Grandparents Day celebrations in the first week of the term. For me, it brings immense joy and a touch of nostalgia.

My own grandparents played a pivotal role in shaping the person I am today. I lost my maternal grandfather when I was in Year 6 and my paternal grandfather just days after my wedding. I've spoken about my paternal grandfather many times before. He was a romantic at heart, and my grandmother reciprocated his love. He had a favourite jumper, embellished with the letter 'L' on the chest. Though it stood for Les, his name, my grandmother encouraged us to call it the 'L for Lover' jumper.

My paternal grandmother was a formidable woman who never let anyone tell her what she could or couldn't do. She lived alone after my grandfather's passing until she was 94. Everyone in her community knew her; she was outspoken and quick-witted. She taught me about faith and instilled in me a deep love for the Eucharist. I lost her on August 14th several years ago, which is also my mother’s birthday.

While I dearly loved my Grandma Barnett, my relationship with my maternal grandmother was different. Her philosophy was simple: just love people and call them by name. When I asked why she attended Mass, she replied, “It’s where Jesus meets me.” She sang with all her heart and soul, clapping along to the hymns with infectious enthusiasm. Later in her life, I provided respite for my parents by sitting with her while they attended Mass. We would enjoy the readings and Gospel together, then laugh and sing with abandon.

The first anniversary of my grandmother’s passing is just weeks away, on August 21st, one week from my mum’s birthday and my other grandmother’s anniversary. 

Grandparents can profoundly impact who we become. Cherish them while you can.

Pope Francis has chosen a line from Psalm 71 – “Do not cast me off in my old age” – as the theme for the 2024 celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. In a note announcing the theme for the day, which was celebrated last weekend, the Vatican said the choice was “meant to call attention to the fact that, sadly, loneliness is the bitter lot in life of many elderly persons, so often the victims of the throwaway culture.” Pope Francis celebrated the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021 and decreed that it be observed each year on the Sunday closest to the feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents. As the Catholic Church prepares for the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis has asked Catholics to focus on prayer, which is why he chose the prayer of an elderly person from the Psalms for the theme, the Vatican said in a statement released on 15 February.

You can read the message of Pope Francis for the IV World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2024:

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/nonni/documents/20240425-messaggio-nonni-anziani.html

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

It is always such a special time when we can all come together to share in the Eucarist and to celebrate such a special person. We only have 3 to 4  whole school Masses each year so each time is very much cherished. Thank you to all those that were in a position to be present with us but also to those that were able to donate items for Vinnies. It is very much appreciated.

Mary MacKillop played an important role to not only our school but in fact to the whole school system of our country. 

There are many key quotes of Mary. What is the one that speaks to you?

"Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them bravely, remembering Whom you are trying to follow. Do not be afraid. Love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you all your life. God will reward you as only He can." ~ Mary MacKillop

"Find happiness in making others happy." ~ Mary MacKillop

"Believe in the whisperings of God to your own heart." ~ Mary MacKillop

"Be eager in your desires but humbly patient in their accomplishment." ~ Mary MacKillop

"Remember we are all but travellers here." ~ Mary MacKillop

"Let us all resign ourselves into His hands, and pray that in all things He may guide us to do His Holy Will ... When thoughts of this or that come I turn to Him and say: "Only what you will, my God. Use me as You will" ~ Mary MacKillop

Obviously there are many quotes from Mary. If you are interested, there is a quote per day that can be found via the following link https://sosj.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/12631.pdf

Mini Vinnies

Several of our students really felt that the quote that resonated with them was ‘Never see a need without doing something about it”. Willow Bulmer and several of her friends worked tirelessly to create ‘skinny scarves’ and sell them to the students and staff. The girls raised an amazing $470.65. This is an outstanding achievement and a big thank you to all that were involved.Yet again, baskets were full of goodies for our winter appeal at the end of last term. We are so fortunate to have families that were able to donate - thank you.

Questions About last Sunday’s Scripture Readings

First Reading Exodus 16:2-4,12-15

The Israelites grumbled about the lack of food in the desert. They remembered their abundant pots of animal flesh in Egypt when they were captives. How is your trust in God when God calls you to new journeys in your spiritual life or ministry?

“Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion.” What do you think our directive for natural resources would be? Take only what we need? Share it? Develop new sources of sustainable energy (renewable, as in wind, solar, etc.)?

Second Reading Ephesians 4:17,20-24

One translation has Paul calling the Ephesians to a spiritual revolution (drastic change). If you personally were to have a spiritual revolution, what would go and what would stay in your life? Would you add anything new?

Paul urges them to “ … put on the new self.” Do you think God is ever finished creating you? Is this something you do (or God does) just once, or do you (or does God) do it continually?

Gospel John 6:24-35

“Sir, give us this bread always.” They were all starving for the food “that endures for eternal life.” For the first Eucharist Jesus had someone find him a large room. Does the Church need to be a “large room” with open doors to accommodate everyone—the righteous and the sinners, those who have made mistakes and those who have gone astray?

Why does Pope Francis say that our relationship with Christ and with our brothers and sisters is the road to our encounter with God? What was God’s reason for the incarnation?

God made himself flesh. And when we say this, in the Creed, on Christmas Day, on the day of the Annunciation, we kneel to worship this mystery of the incarnation. God made himself flesh and blood; he lowered himself to the point of becoming a man like us. He humbled himself to the extent of burdening himself with our sufferings and sin, and therefore he asks us to seek him not outside of life and history, but in relationship with Christ and with our brothers and sisters. Seeking him in life, in history, in our daily life. And this, brothers and sisters, is the road to the encounter with God: the relationship with Christ and our brothers and sisters.

– Pope Francis, Angelus, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 22 August 2021

Sunday’s Readings – on Parish website

18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME ⬧ YEAR B

1st Reading Exodus 16:2-4,12-15

2nd Reading Ephesians 4:17,20-24

Gospel John 6:24-35

The Sacraments of First Penance and Communion

The Sacraments of First Penance and Communion are celebrated when a child is in Year 2 or seven years old (or older).

Enrolments for 2024 CLOSE on 10 September 2024. Enrolment Forms may be downloaded by clicking  HERE

Enrolment Forms are returned (by email or by hand) to the Parish Office. (Do not return forms to the School Office)

Prior to receiving First Communion, children are to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance [Reconciliation].

In order to prepare for these Sacraments, there is a preparation program consisting of the following:

• a parent information evening: 
• Tuesday, 15 October at 19:30
• two classes (after school hours) in preparation for First Penance: 
• Tuesdays, 22 October and 29 October, 15:45 to 17:00
• celebration of First Penance:
• Wednesday,  30 October at 19:00
• two classes (after school hours) in preparation for First Communion: 
• Tuesdays, 12 and 19 November, 15:45 to 17:00      

First Communion at either of the weekend Masses on ...

30 November or 1 December ... or 7 or 8 December ... or  on any later weekend

Reconciliation  and Eucharist Book Instructions will be emailed to those who enrol.

For information about the celebration of First Penance, click HERE

Welcome to the children who will participate fully in the Eucharist for the first time, by receiving Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ.

What’s happening in our Parish

Click HERE to watch last Sunday’s Mass

Mrs Ronelle Peardon:  Acting Religious Education Coordinator