This year at Sts Peter and Paul, we are all called to ‘Let Your Light Shine”

Welcome to 2022, and an extra special welcome to all the new families in our community. On a personal note, it is so lovely to be back at Sts Peter and Paul after being on Maternity Leave for 2021. Our theme for 2022 is “Let your Light Shine” from Matthew’s Gospel. Throughout the year, we will be looking at the ways we can let our light shine and share our gifts with those around us. On the topic of gifts, I want to publicly thank Fron Garrett-Rumba for her amazing work in the position of Religious Education Coordinator while I was on leave, we are blessed to have her and her many gifts at Sts Peter and Paul.

Our Sacramental preparations for 2022 will begin with a Reconciliation Parent Information Night next Monday 7^th February at 6:00 via Zoom. A link for this meeting will be sent out through Compass on Friday. If you are interested in being a ‘host’ for one of the Homegroups, we will be meeting online from 5:30pm, before the PIN to discuss what hosting entails.

Below is some information provided by Fr John regarding the Sacrament.

I am now inviting parents of baptised children in Year 3 (and above) to enrol them in the Parish’s Family-Based Sacramental Program for First Reconciliation. To enrol your child, please access or download the QKR! App.  Tap on ‘North Woden Transfiguration’, and tap ‘Sacraments’, fill in the form and make your online payment by Friday 4 February 2022.

The program is dependent on the generosity of some parents to host or to co-host a family group. The role of a host is not difficult. Hosts will be required to attend an Information Session at 5.30pm, prior to the 6pm Monday 7 February, Parent Information Night via Zoom.

Dates to remember:

• An Information session for Family Group Hosts only, 5.30pm, Monday, 7 February via Zoom.
• An Introductory Night for all Parents to receive an overview of the family sessions via Zoom at 6pm, Monday, 7 February.
• Four family group meetings
• Presentation Mass, 19/20 March (either Saturday 6pm or Sunday 9.30am at Holy Trinity)
• A children’s Retreat Day Friday 25 March. (TBC)
• Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will occur at the time you select on a Saturday, 4.30-5.00pm commencing 26 March. Details provided at the PIN.

Any enquiries can be directed to the Parish Office ( 6281 3999/  wodennorth@cg.org.au )

In other Sacramental news, many children from our Parish are continuing to celebrate their First Eucharist during Masses each weekend at Holy Trinity, and we would like to congratulate all these children and their families on this important step in their faith journeys.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C  Luke 5:1-11

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus speaks to the crowd from Peter's boat. Jesus turns to Peter and tells him where to lower the fishing nets. Peter and the others have been fishing throughout the night and have not caught anything, so Peter protests, but ultimately obeys Jesus and lowers his nets into the deeper water as instructed.

Following Jesus’ direction, the men catch so many fish that the nets begin to tear; Jesus' presence has created abundance out of scarcity.

Peter becomes a follower of Jesus immediately. He calls Jesus “Lord”—the title given to Jesus after His Resurrection—and protests his worthiness to be in Jesus' presence. This event marks a turning point in the relationship between Jesus and Peter. It is here that Jesus gives Peter a new job, telling him that he will become a different kind of fisherman. No longer will he catch fish; instead he will catch people. In these words, we hear the beginning of the leadership role that Peter will have within the community of disciples. Peter was chosen for this role. His task will be to bring others to Jesus. Already he is doing so; the Gospel tells us that all the fishermen with Peter also left their nets and followed Jesus.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator