First Holy Communion

Last weekend, we gathered as a community to celebrate with many of the children in the Transfiguration Parish as they received their First Eucharist. All 3 Masses over the weekend were such beautiful, memorable celebrations for our families. It was wonderful to see some of our teachers also there supporting these students. A big congratulations to the children and their families on this very special occasion.

Grandparent’s Day 2022

On Friday 14^th of October, we will celebrate Grandparents and Special Friends Day. This year, we will do things a little differently to ensure that we can still gather and enjoy some time with these very special people while still adhering to best practice regarding COVID-19.

We will begin the celebration at school from 12:00 pm, with Grandparents and special friends invited to join their children in their classrooms to spend some time sharing in some fun activities and showing them their learning that has taken place throughout the year so far. At 1:10, all visitors will be invited out into our playground to share a BYO picnic lunch with their Grandchild/children at recess time.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming Grandparents and Families into the school on this special day.

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Gospel Reflection

In the Old Testament, it is made very clear that how well the people are living in relationship with God is measured by how well the very least in the society are being treated. Time and again, God makes plain to the people, through the prophets, that what they are expected to do is live in right relationship with one another and with God. The cyclic rise and fall in fortune of the people of Israel is a direct result of the way in which they treat the poor and lowly of the society. When all in the society are properly cared for, Israel flourishes; but when the widows and orphans and other marginalised people are neglected and even rejected, then trouble befalls Israel. Today’s first reading, from the prophet Amos, is an example of this cycle and an example of the role the prophets played in calling the people back to faithfulness with God and faithfulness with one another. Amos berates those who luxuriate in comfort whilst ignoring the plight of others.

The theme continues then into the gospel passage. The rich man lives in extravagant luxury but ignores the plight of Lazarus who is starving at his door. (This is not the same Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead.) Both men die and, as Jesus taught over and over again, the poor man Lazarus is welcomed into the kingdom of God but the rich man, who ignored his neighbour, is trapped in Hades. When the rich man asks that Lazarus be sent back to life to warn others of the fate that awaits them, Abraham reminds him that the people of Israel have had a long line of prophets calling them back to faithfulness but their message has been ignored.

(Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Have a blessed holidays,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator