Laudato Si’ Week
This week we are celebrating Laudato Si’ Week where we celebrate by listening, praying, reflecting and participating in Pope Francis’ call to action. 2020 is the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’ – the environment encyclical where Pope Francis calls us to expand our understanding and experience of the interconnectedness of all life.

During the week have prepared a liturgy titled- “Mercy and the Degradation of Earth – ‘Everything is Connected.’” In Mercy, we enter into this reflective time with each other as we continue to struggle with the shared global experience of the illness and destructive action of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, we experience the heroism of health care workers, the brilliance and dedication of scientists as they develop a vaccine, the bravery of public leaders holding families, communities and the vulnerable in a social network of care and concern, as well as the selfless dedication of front-line workers and volunteers who are caring for society’s ongoing and practical needs.

We are learning that indeed ... ‘Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.’ (Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ N.91)

Prayer
In this time of uncertainty, we hope that you are taking time to pray, meditate and relax. We also hope that the children are accessing the prayers and meditation that the teachers are preparing each week. Setting Religious Education lessons has been a challenge as we have missed discussing the stories and reflections with the children. We hope that as parents you have been able to spend some special reflective time with your children and help them with the stories. Please make sure they begin and finish their work each day with prayer.

Mary Help of Christians
This year in these trying times we need the help of Mary more than ever. Mary Help of Christians is the Patroness of Australia. Normally the Feast is 24 May but due to the Ascension, the Feast will be celebrated on the 25 May this year.

The feast day to Mary Help of Christians has been celebrated in Australia since 1844 but the history to this day dates back to the start of the 1800s. Napoleon Bonaparte had jailed Pius VI who died in jail. When Pope Pius VII was elected, he too was jailed by Bonaparte, who kept him, prisoner, at Fontainbleau.

The Holy Father vowed to God that if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary. The military eventually forced Bonaparte to release the Pope and on 24 May 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians be kept on 24 May.

The infant church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. No priests were sent to the colony in its early days and Mass was not allowed except for one brief year until 1820. It was largely the Rosary in those early days that kept the faith alive. Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary and was the first nation to choose her under the title Help of Christians, as principal Patroness.

St Mary’s Cathedral was dedicated in her honour by the Irish pioneer priest, Fr John Therry, who arrived in Sydney in 1820 and assumed responsibility for the planning and initial construction of the Cathedral. When Australia became the first country to have Mary Help of Christians as Patroness, it became the first country to have a mother-cathedral under the same title. Please pray her prayer this week as Mary Help of Christians continues to guard Australia:

Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us

The Ascension of Jesus
On Sunday 24 May we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus. We are coming to the end of the Easter Season which ends on Pentecost Sunday a week after The Ascension.

Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday and spent 40 days with his beloved disciples. He taught his disciples many things and told them that he would visit again. He said, "Soon, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and receive the power of God. You will tell my story to the people in Jerusalem and to people all over the Earth."Jesus blessed his disciples. Then as they looked at him Jesus became surrounded by bright light. He was taken into the heavens, and he disappeared. Two men appeared and told the disciples that Jesus was in heaven, but that one day He would return.

Jesus says Good-bye!
Adapted from Acts 1:1-10 (for children)
Jesus said to his friends one day,
"Very soon I must go away,
Don't be sad because 
I will come back again!
Jesus told his friends: 
"Tell my story everywhere."
And then as his beloved friends
were standing there
Jesus went up, up, up 
Into the sky!

Mrs Madaschi
Religious Education Coordinator