Sacrament of First Eucharist

Last weekend, our school and parish celebrated the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Children from across the parish came together to receive the Body of Christ. The children were both nervous and excited. A big thank you to the parents/carers and teachers for walking alongside the children on their faith journey.

Grandfriends Day

Our Grandfriends (grandparents and/or special friends) are invited to come and see the wonderful learning happening at SPP on Friday 22 September.

Who were Jesus’ grandparents?

Jesus' grandparents are Joachim and Anne. They are the parents of his mother, Mary. They loved Jesus more than anything and raised Mary well. There is a church  built over the ruins of their home where Mary was born.

Social Justice - Catholic Mission

Thank you to our Year 6 leaders with Mr Gubler and Mrs McGregor for leading our Mission Market Day. As a school we raised $1173.35!

Zoe & Olive's Mission Bake Stall

Next term, Olive Ingold and Zoe Sladic from Year 2 will host a Bake Stall. All monies raised will go towards Catholic Mission. Students are invited to bring a gold coin donation and select either one cupcake or jelly cup on Friday 13 October. Thank you to Olive, Zoe and families.

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Why are you jealous because I am generous?

Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter

On a first reading of this gospel story, the reader is probably struck by the unfairness of the situation. The landowner has employed day labourers at different times throughout the day to work in his vineyard. However, come the end of the day, the landowner pays all the day labourers the same amount. Not surprisingly, the labourers employed at daybreak to work the whole day are upset that those who have only worked the last hour of the day are paid the same amount. The landowner reminds them that he is paying them what they agreed at the start of the day, and yet the reader is left uncomfortable about the whole arrangement.

Of course, this is the purpose of Jesus’ story! The key to the story is in the introduction. Most of the kingdom parables told by Jesus begin with a formulaic statement, ‘The kingdom is like …’ and this one is no different. What follows is almost always a description of an everyday event that is turned on its head. In all of the kingdom parables recorded in the gospels, Jesus describes a world order in which people respond in unexpected and sometimes confusing ways. His message is that the kingdom, or reign, of God turns expectations upside down. In the kingdom, people who are treated badly in this world are held in great esteem; the balance of power is turned upside down; and the usual order of things is challenged. The landowner’s final comment in the parable, ‘the last will be first, and the first, last’, is a perfect example of the challenging nature of Jesus’ kingdom parables. In the kingdom, those who hold themselves to be first in this world will be brought down, and those who are treated as least in this world will be exalted.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Veronica Hall

Religious Education Coordinator