From the Religious Education Coordinator
Welcome Back
We made it to Term 4! It has been wonderful to welcome back all our students this week looking refreshed and ready for another big term of learning. We have several important RE events planned this term, so please keep a close eye on further details about these events.
World Mission Month - Socktober
Meet Jose this Socktober!
“Hi, I'm Jose! I am a 12-year-old who loves soccer! My favourite things are scoring goals and juggling the ball. I'm pretty good at school too! Though I am only young, I have already faced many challenges in life. Growing up, I suffered from severe malnutrition because I was unable to eat the food I needed. Fortunately, the Salesian Sisters were there, and gave me the necessary nutrition and vitamins, allowing me to grow. Now, my grandma often takes me to the clinic for regular check-ups. Thanks to the Sisters, I can pursue my dream, and maybe become a professional soccer player like Messi someday.”
This World Mission Month, we can make a difference and kick goals for good with Socktober. Together, we can support young Timorese children like Jose to access a brighter future. Our school Socktober Day will be held on Tuesday the 31st of October. All students are encouraged to wear ‘crazy’ socks on this day. We will also participate in a prayer service and take part in other activities for all students to enjoy. This year, on Socktober Day, the students are also asked to bring to school donations of gold and silver coins (the more the better), to see which Sports House can create the longest coin trail. All proceeds will go to Mission Australia. We look forward to this day and thank you in advance for your support.
Please Note:
We are also asking for lots of donations of socks to be used for activities on the day!
Class Mass Dates
Please note in your diaries the following Mass dates:
- Year 5/6 Class Mass – 25th of October
- Year 2/3/4 Class Mass – 20th November
- Year 6 Graduation Mass – 13th December
We welcome everyone to attend these very special events.
Sunday Gospel Reflection (October 15)
Gospel Matthew 22:1-14
Feasting is a common image used by Jesus in describing the coming Kingdom of God. Indeed in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus and his disciples are condemned by the pharisees and scribes as gluttons. Jesus is often criticised for welcoming and eating with sinners. Together with his disciples he seems to have been not only a walking, talking but an eating, drinking parable of the Kingdom, the feast at which sinners, the poor, the outcast, the sick, the grieving and the persecuted have pride of place.
We are the servants sent to the crossroads to find anyone we can, “bad and good
alike”, to invite to God’s festive table, indeed our table. There is an urgency to this mission for “... all is prepared... everything is ready.” There can be no excuses! As Pope Francis urges us, “Here is the message for us: we do not have to wait until we are perfect and have come a long way following Jesus to witness to him; no, our proclamation begins today, there where we live.”
God our King
We hear your call, your invitation to the wedding feast, the feast of life lived to the full.
Send your Holy Spirit to renew in us the gifts of of Baptism and Confirmation.
Through our celebration of the Eucharist, may we be renewed and strengthened
in our ministry of leadership, teaching and service to everyone we can find, “bad and good alike”.
We ask this through Christ, your Son our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Formed in Prayer, CSYMI
Student Prayer of the Week
Sacramental Program
The Sacrament of Confirmation meetings have commenced.
There are six candidates. Please keep them in your prayers.
The remaining key dates for the Confirmation candidates are:
- Wednesday 18th October – Preparation Meeting at 6pm
- Sunday 22nd October – Confirmation Mass at 8am
Yours in Faith,
Danielle McFarlane
Religious Education Coordinator
Parish News
Sunday 8 am
St Joseph’s Church, Grenfell
Please note that a Mass will be held on the second and fourth Sundays each month. There is a Celebration of the Word with Holy Communion, not a Mass, on the first and third Sundays of each month. Everyone is welcome to attend!
If you wish to visit St Joseph’s Church, it is open daily from 10.00am – 4.00pm and following Mass on Sundays.
Annual Leave for Fr Jiss
Fr Jiss is on Annual Leave until the 27th of October. He has gone home to India to see his Mum and Dad for a well-earned holiday. Please keep him in your prayers for safe travels.
Parish Street Stall
St Joseph’s Parish will be holding a street stall on Friday, 27th and Saturday, 28th of October. Donations of cakes, slices, produce and any saleable goods welcome as well as volunteers to assist on the stall. Please contact Deidre Carroll on 0403 480 729 if you have any enquiries.