Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St Patrick.  After having escaped from slavery, St Patrick returned to Ireland as a man on a mission.  Setting aside all the folklore that has embellished the story of his life, we remember him as one of the greatest missionaries in the history of the Church.  He dedicated his life to teaching others about God.  He is probably most well known for using the leaf of a shamrock to teach people about the Holy Trinity: that is, that our God is 3 in 1.

One of the most important things that helped St Patrick in spreading the Good News was his belief and faith that the Spirit of Jesus would surround him with love and protection.  We used this shortened version of the prayer often attributed to him - St Patrick’s Breastplate - when we highlighted his feast day this morning:

Tomorrow morning, we will highlight St Joseph during morning prayer as his feast day will be celebrated this Saturday.  St Joseph is the patron saint of families, workers and the Universal Church.  Joseph was a carpenter, a good and honest man, whom God called to care for Mary and her baby Jesus.  Joseph was a faithful and trusting servant of God who wanted to do what was asked of him.  We can learn from Joseph to listen to what God asks of us and become faith-filled servants caring for those in need.

Next Friday (March 25), our Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, which refers to the time when the angel Gabriel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of our saviour.  On this day, we do not only celebrate the announcement to Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus, but also her willing acceptance of the news.  May we be as generous in accepting the will of God in our lives as Mary was.  Our students from Years 3-6 will attend the parish Mass on this day.

Flood Relief Appeal https://apps.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19/Default.aspx

Bishop Brian, Bishop of Wollongong, has established the Bishop’s Flood Relief Appeal 2022 in direct response to calls for support from the Lismore Diocese and from parts of our own diocese.  As a diocese, he would like us to provide practical support for the people of Lismore as well as pastoral and practical support for the people in our own diocese who have been, and will continue to be, impacted by the recent floods.  If you are able to support this appeal, please visit this website:  https://www.dow.org.au/giving/.

Project Compassion Feature Stories

Second Week of Lent - Biru from India
This week through Project Compassion we learn about Biru who lives in a rural village in India’s east. He lost mobility in one of his legs, after contracting polio as a child. Biru worked as a shepherd, looking after other people’s cattle, to support his wife and four daughters. Keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.
Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business. With your generous support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India. He gained the support and skills he needed to start his own bicycle repair business. Now, Biru earns enough money to support his family.

Third Week of Lent - Janice from Australia

Next week’s Project Compassion the focus person is Janice, a Wagilak woman and traditional dancer from Australia who tells her family’s stories through movements handed down over generations.
Like many remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Janice faces a range of challenges – low employment and education, financial hardship, poorer health and lower life expectancy.

With your help, Caritas Australia supports Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, which operates a centre for traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, providing employment and generating income for local communities. Janice believes that Djilpin Arts’ work is essential to create opportunities for young people to stay on-country, to share intergenerational knowledge between elders and the younger generation - to promote healing, and to keep culture alive.

To watch a short film about Biru’s story click here and for Janice’s story click here.

Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

 

 

Sacramental Dates will be published in the next newsletter.