Dear Parents and Carers

Scripture Reflection

Last Sunday’s Gospel passage was Matthew 15:21-28. This can be a challenging passage, but one with a powerful message. Throughout the gospels, Jesus is challenged in battles of wit by a number of formidable opponents. Often, these challengers attempt to trap Jesus by having him say something that would see him in trouble with the authorities, Jewish or Roman. 

In this passage, Jesus sees a Canaanite woman who begs him to save her daughter from illness. In ancient times, Canaanites were seen as outsiders to the Jewish community; they were often regarded with suspicion and prejudice due to historical conflicts and differences in beliefs. Yet, this particular Canaanite woman, driven by her love for her daughter and her desperation for a cure, approached Jesus, stepping beyond the cultural barriers that separated them. In what seems like a heartless move, Jesus initially refuses to help the woman’s daughter. However, she persists and pleads with Jesus, offering a strong argument in support of her position. Jesus, seeing the depth of her faith, cures her daughter. For us today, this story is a beacon of hope and a testament to the strength found in determination and persistence. The Canaanite woman’s courage to challenge societal norms and even engage in a profound exchange with Jesus underscores that meaningful change can arise from dialogue and steadfastness, even in the face of seeming rejections.

Father's Day

Next Sunday, 3 September, we celebrate Father’s Day. It is a day to celebrate fatherhood, and a time for us to honour, celebrate and be thankful for all of the men, father figures and male role models in our lives… including our uncles, grandfathers, Godfathers, and even our male teachers. We recognise the very important role they have in the lives of children.

Through the love and care our fathers show us, we can understand how God is like a loving father to us. God is strength and gentleness, justice and compassion and mercy and kindness. We celebrate the life-giving care we receive through our fathers, and we remember those fathers who are no longer with us.

This Father's Day, we have the opportunity to let the special men in our lives know the unique place they hold and the valuable influence they have on us.

We invite all our fathers, grandfathers and families to be part of a whole school

Father’s Day Afternoon Tea and Liturgy on Thursday 31 August.

Thank you to our P&F, who will coordinate our Father's Day stall and afternoon tea next week. Please see the flyer in the newsletter for times. 

Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL