Sunday Gospel: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 13:44-52

In this week’s Gospel, the abundant response of God is the miraculous feeding of more than five thousand people with twelve baskets full of leftovers.

As it became late in the day, the disciples wanted Jesus to send the people away to the nearby villages so that they could buy food for themselves. But Jesus is moved with compassion for the people. He knows that as it is now evening they probably won’t be allowed to enter any of the local villages and, even if they were, they probably didn’t have money with which to buy food. So it is compassionate care that moves Jesus to act. Remember, He had tried to get away from the crowds to spend some private time mourning the death of John the Baptist. He was entitled to be frustrated and angry with them for intruding on His grief. Instead, when they tracked Him down, He went ashore and healed them and taught them. When it came to the evening He went one step further in His compassion and made sure that all were fed.

At the time of writing, the gospel writer knew that his audience would be familiar with the Eucharistic meal. The words and actions of Jesus in this miraculous feeding event foreshadow the events of the Last Supper: He took the bread and fish, gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples to distribute. This event is a Eucharistic one just as much as the Last Supper. (Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Sacrament of Confirmation

Thank you to all parents and carers who joined us for the Parent Information Night (via Zoom) last night regarding the upcoming Sacrament of Confirmation. Please ensure you register your child via Qkr! as soon as possible, as we hope to hand out the workbooks on Friday at school. A reminder that the children will be presented to the community at one of the Masses between now and the Sacrament, see link below that will allow you to register. Also – when you arrive, please ensure you let Fr John know that you have a candidate to present to community, so he knows to introduce your child to the Parish.

Mass Has Returned!

Due to the recent easing of restrictions, Fr John has now begun celebrating Sunday Masses once again. All Mass times will remain the same, but due to social distancing measures, all Masses will be celebrated at Holy Trinity, Curtin for the time being. There is a limit of 100 people that can attend each Mass, and the Parish will accept booking online (Trybooking.com, search Transfiguration Parish), or click here or via a phone call to the office.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Next Thursday is the Feast Day of our Parish, the Transfiguration of the Lord. We would normally gather with our friends at Holy Trinity Curtin to celebrate the richness of our shared Parish, however due to current restrictions this will not be possible. Alternatively, we will celebrate on Thursday at school, and will look to find a time later in the year to come together.

Parish Youth Group

This Sunday, 2^nd August, will be the first Parish Youth Group for 2020. The group will be facilitated by our Youth Ministers Maddie and Grace. The group will meet at the Parish Centre at Curtin, from 4:00-5:30pm. All students in years 5/6 are welcome to come along. Click here for a link to a permission note you can send along with your child.

God bless,

 Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator