Confirmation

Last night was the second of two Sacramental Masses for our Confirmation Candidates in Year 6. Both nights were wonderful celebrations for those present. 

My sincere thanks to Fr John Woods and Archbishop Christopher Prowse, as well as Veronica Hall, Katie McGregor and Luke Gubler for their work in preparing the students. I would also like to thank the parents for their support, particularly those parents who hosted other students and their families during the Home Group sessions.

Sts Peter and Paul Feast Day 2023

Next Thursday 29 June, we will be celebrating the Feast Day of Sts Peter and Paul. At 9:15am we will celebrate Mass as a whole school, and in the afternoon, the students will be participating in a range of fun, whole school activities.

Mrs Raccosta is organising a special lunch (at no cost to families) on the day, which includes a hot dog, drink and treat. 

If your child/ren has special dietary requirements, could you kindly fill out the google form by this Friday, 23 June, for catering purposes. 

https://forms.gle/y1HHyTKhZwdGhy357

 Sunday Gospel: Mt 10:26-33  Sunday in Year A

Those who acknowledge Christ will be known to the Father.

‘Do not be afraid’ is one of the most commonly repeated sentences in the Bible. In one form or another, the command to ‘be not afraid’ or ‘fear not’ appears several hundred times throughout the Old and New Testaments. Today’s gospel passage is part of the sending out of the Twelve that occupies all of Chapter 10 in the gospel. It follows a little later in the chapter from last week’s reading in which Jesus called the Twelve and sent them out as Apostles. The remainder of the chapter provides an extended teaching on what it means and what it costs to take the message of Jesus out into the world. Jesus teaches the Twelve that the message they bear will not always be well received and there will be those who will seek to silence the Apostles through violent means. But then the teaching comes to the section of today’s passage and Jesus commands the Twelve, ‘Do not be afraid’.

The message to not be afraid is as much for the original intended audience of the gospel as it was for the apostles. The community for whom this gospel was written were on the verge of being ‘squeezed out’ and forced into secret. The passage reminds them to have courage and to have the courage of their convictions; to shout from the house-tops their message, not whisper it in darkness. It is a reminder of the abundant love of God who cares for them and sees all their efforts to continue to live out the message and ministry of Jesus.

It is equally a message for us, today. We are called to continue the spread of the gospel message; continuing the work of those early Christian communities, the Twelve and Jesus himself.

Adapted from reflection by Greg Sunter

Blessings for the week ahead,

Amanda Basedow

Acting Religious Education Coordinator