Religious Education News

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 5:28-48, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

The following is a reflection written by Greg Sunter on the subject of this Sunday’s Gospel. I thought it was a particularly interesting lens through which to view this often quoted Scripture.

The first part of today’s Gospel passage is perhaps one of the most misunderstood of Jesus’ teachings. The notion of turning the other cheek usually brings up notions of non-violence, submission, or even sometimes a victim mentality. It seems an odd teaching to tell someone who is being hit to simply stand there and present the other cheek to also be hit. It’s odd because we generally fail to understand the cultural context that is the setting for this teaching.

In the first century, a master would discipline a servant by striking them with the back of his hand. Assuming the master is right handed, a back-handed strike would be delivered to the right cheek of the person he faced. If the servant were to then present his left cheek to the master, it becomes impossible for the master to strike with the back of his hand and forces him into using an open-hand slap or a closed-fist punch to the left cheek. Not much of an improvement, you might think. However, servants were disciplined with the back of the hand and only equals fought in such a way that would deliver blows to the left side.

What Jesus is saying to those who are oppressed is to offer no resistance but at the same time stand up for yourself and make your oppressor recognise you and treat you as an equal, not an inferior.

Opening School Mass – 14th February, 12:00 pm

On Friday of last week, we celebrated our Opening School Mass. At the conclusion of Mass, Fr John blessed the Year Six Leadership badges, and the students were presented with their badges in front of the school community. Congratulations to our new leaders, and thank you to all who were able to come along to be a part of this celebration.

Ash Wednesday – Wednesday Week 4, 26^th February

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and the whole school will be attending Mass at 12:00pm. All parents and carers are warmly invited to attend also.

Sacrament of Reconciliation 2020 – FINAL CALL!

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in the Parish of the Transfiguration, North Woden on Thursday, 2nd April at 6:00 pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Curtin. 

There will be a Parent Information Night on Tuesday 25th February at 6:00 pm at the Parish Centre at Curtin.

Who is Eligible?  

Children who have been baptised, and are in Year 3 or above may be enrolled.

How to Enrol

To enrol your child, please access or download the Qkr! App. 

• Search ‘North Woden Transfiguration’. 
• You will then create a profile. One your profile is completed you can click into Parish (2nd collection, Sacraments) and follow through to Reconciliation. 

Please note that all enrolments must be finalised by Wednesday 19th February 2020.

Dates for your Diary: 

 Blessings for the week ahead,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator