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

Our Sacramental preparations for 2022 began this week with a Reconciliation Parent Information Night on Monday 7^th February. Thank you to all of the parents and carers who were able to join us, and a special thank you to all parents who have volunteered to be hosts for the parish home groups, we could not do it without you.

For anyone who may have missed it, 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 Thursday 10 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. 

Dates to remember:

• Four family group meetings (done at host's discretion)
• Presentation Mass, 19-20^th 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 Parish Masses each weekend at Holy Trinity. We would like to congratulate all these children and their families on this important step in their faith journeys.

Opening School Mass 2022

As many of you would be aware, we were scheduled to celebrate the beginning of the 2022 school year with an Opening School Mass on Friday 11th February at 12:00pm. Traditionally, this Mass is also the time that Fr John would bless the Year 6 leaders as they commence the academic year, and present them with their leadership badges. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, we cannot, at this time allow, the whole school to attend this Mass together.
It has been decided that the Year 6 cohort will attend Mass as representatives of the school community, where Fr John will bless them and their leadership badges.
All other classes will share in an Opening School Prayer Celebration that will reflect the reading and prayers used at Mass.
The parents and carers of the Year 6 students are invited to attend this special Mass, as we recognise that this is a very special occasion for these families.
Those in attendance will be asked to please check in using the Check in CBR App, be seated in the marked seats throughout the rear of the church, and all are kindly reminded to remain socially distanced at all times. We want to thank you for your understanding. We look forward to giving the children in other cohorts the opportunity to attend Mass together very soon.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C  Luke 6:16.20-26

We are perhaps more familiar with the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew in which the kingdom of Heaven is promised to those who are ‘blessed’ because of their afflictions. Rather than the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Luke presents the same event and teaching as the sermon on the plain as it occurs on ‘a piece of level ground’. This version may appear a little more confronting than the Matthew version. Rather than the afflicted being ‘blessed’, they are to be ‘happy’. It seems odd that anybody should be happy to be poor, hungry, mourning or reviled and we would certainly regard these as states of sadness and difficulty; not times for rejoicing at our good fortune! However, this Gospel in particular frequently reminds us that God does not think, feel and behave as we might expect. God’s actions are frequently contrary to the expectations of society. The Gospel of Luke makes it plain that the reign of God will upend the structures of society. The lowly will be raised and the mighty will be brought low. It is in this context that the poor, the hungry and the outcast are regarded as happy. Their happiness comes from the reassurance that although they are rejected and dismissed by society, they are indeed the most favoured of God. Whatever the world dishes up to such as these, they can rejoice in the knowledge that in the reign of God their fortunes will be reversed and they will be favoured. However, just as the fortunes of the poor and afflicted will be reversed for the better, those who are rich, well fed, happy and well regarded will also have their fortunes reversed. Alas to them! Their comfort and joy leaves no room for the generosity of God! (Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Blessings for the week ahead,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator