Religious Education & Parish News
S
ignificant Feasts - The Ascension and Pentecost
Last weekend, our Church celebrated the Ascension of our Lord into Heaven, which is commemorated 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection (Easter). We state our belief in the Ascension in both creeds used at Mass when we say, ‘He ascended into heaven’. Whilst the 40 day mark would technically be on a Thursday, the celebration of the Ascension is often observed on the seventh Sunday of Easter.
The same Holy Spirit that transformed the apostles is still with us today. Just as Jesus instructed his disciples to go out and make his love known throughout the world, so too are we sent out with the same mission. Through Baptism, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us with the task of being disciples of Jesus. The challenge after Baptism is for us to continue to nurture our faith and attune our hearts to how the Holy Spirit is calling us to live in relationship with others.
As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of the Church, let us pray that we may all be open to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit and reflect on how we are being called to help bring the love and peace of Jesus to our homes, our school, our community and our world.
As noted in our last newsletter, the celebration of the 10am Mass for Pentecost at Warrawong is particularly beautiful due to the multicultural nature of our parish. As with all parish Masses, you are warmly invited to join us. After Mass, the celebrations will continue with a multicultural meal and opportunities to win prizes. If you intend to stay for lunch, please bring along a plate of food to share. If you have traditional costumes, please feel most welcome to wear these as well.2022 Confirmation Candidates
Please keep in your prayers the children in our parish who are preparing to be confirmed in the Catholic faith. Last weekend, they attended their commitment Masses and this week they have begun their lessons. During the Pentecost Masses this weekend, the candidates will be presenting their Confirmation posters which will then be displayed in our churches for the remainder of the period of preparation.
Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation Week follows National Sorry Day which was celebrated last Thursday, on the 26th May. The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme is Be Brave. Make Change. It is a challenge to individuals, families, communities, organisations and government - to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. To view Reconciliation Australia’s video, ‘State of Reconciliation in Australia’ click here.
We are highlighting Reconciliation Week at tomorrow’s Principal’s and Values Awards Assembly.
World Environment Day
World Environment Day is a United Nations Environment-led global event, which takes place each year on June 5th and is celebrated by thousands of communities worldwide. It is a day for everyone around the world to take ownership of their environment and to actively engage in the protection of our earth. The theme for World Environment Day 2022 is Only One Earth. This theme calls for transformative changes to policies and choices to enable cleaner, greener, and sustainable living in harmony with nature. Its focus is on the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature, and our possibilities for shifting to a greener lifestyle through national policies and individual choices. We will be highlighting World Environment Day at our Monday morning assembly.
Loving God and Creator of all,
you have given us this one, wonderful world for our home.
We are the ones who can make peace with nature
and restore her former glory.
Help us to work together to create a greener, cleaner world
by being conscious of the little changes we can make every day.
Teach us how to love our planet
and treat it with respect and reverence.
We ask this prayer through Jesus, your Son. Amen.
Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Education Coordinator