Social Justice - Zoe & Olive's Catholic Mission Bake Stall   

Last Friday, Olive and Zoe from Year 2, with their families, hosted a Bake Stall. The school was a buzz of excitement; colourful jelly cups and beautifully decorated cupcakes lined the tables. To our very generous families and staff community, thank you, for your donations. Zoe and Olive’s Bake Stall raised $460.05 for Catholic Mission. Congratulations Zoe and Olive!

Social Justice - Crazy Sock Day Socktober Catholic Mission - Thursday 19 October

This year, we are supporting Catholic Mission by participating in Socktober. Socktober 2023 will contribute vital funds to projects around the world, including Timor-Leste, where a medical clinic and a children's home are providing hope for generations of young people.

On Thursday 19 October, students are able to participate in Socktober in two ways:

1. Wear ‘crazy socks’ and ‘sock it’ to poverty. Students are invited to wear crazy socks and make a gold coin donation.
2. Kick goals for poverty (lunch time event). Could you score a goal against a teacher? Students are invited to donate gold coin/s and try to score a goal. 

As a community, let’s join together to help Catholic Mission bring hope and dignity to people in need. Thank you.

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and to God the things that are God’s.

Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter

The gospel writer presents this episode as a deliberate attempt by the Pharisees to trap Jesus and turn the people against him. Their plan was a good one, with no apparent ‘safe’ answer: is it permissible (within Jewish tradition) to pay taxes to Caesar or not? If Jesus were to answer that it is not permissible to pay taxes then he would be identified as a rebel and a threat to Roman authority – leaving himself open to severe punishment. If he were to answer that it was permissible to pay the taxes he would have alienated a lot of his audience who resented the taxes imposed by Rome.

Instead of falling into the trap set by the Pharisees, Jesus approaches the question in a completely different way. He asks them to show him the money with which they pay the tax. Immediately, he has turned the tables on them. He doesn’t appear to carry any of the coin in question and yet the Pharisees’ disciples carry them as a matter of habit. They are asking if it is permissible to pay the tax and yet freely carry the coin with which the tax is paid. Jesus shows up the hypocrisy of their question by forcing them to reveal their own position in the simple action of producing one of the Roman coins. Jesus then closes the dispute by instructing them to render (give) to Caesar what belongs to Caesar but, more importantly, render to God what belongs to God. In a very simple way Jesus has shown up the Pharisees’ disciples as being collaborators with the Roman authority and placing that authority above the authority of God. He reminds the listeners that regardless of earthly authority, the first duty is owed to God.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Veronica Hall

Religious Education Coordinator