Liturgy & Parish Liaison
Today's Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12 New Revised Standard Version)
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you".
The following extract is from a homily by Fr Richard Leonard SJ, who is the author of Preaching to the Converted, Paulist Press, New York, 2006. We are grateful for Fr Richard's permission to reprint here.
All Saints Day has its roots in the early Church's 'Martyrs Day'…. It was called All Saints Day in the seventh century. A Saint is someone who the Church believes is in heaven with God. Wrongly, we often think Saints are perfect, but in fact their greatest witness is how they coped with the ordinary difficulties of life and how they reflected in a variety of ways the love of God. For most of us sanctity and martyrdom will not come in dramatic ways. The daily routine of looking after a sick child, spouse or parent, of living with a mental, physical, emotional or spiritual illness, the scourge of being unemployed, homeless or addicted and the feeling that we are unlovable brings with it the reality of sharing in the lot of the martyrs and saints. All Saints Day is the feast which commemorates all those we know who may never be publicly proclaimed in the canon or list of saints, but who nonetheless are in heaven. Some of them may only be known to God. Others are people whose love, sacrifice and fidelity we have seen for ourselves and who have inspired us. Sometimes they can be our own mothers and fathers. These, too, we believe belong to the great multitude of witnesses who went through their own persecutions and found the blessings within their daily lives. They saw God in this world and are now fully alive to him in the next. May we also have the grace to live a holy life that, in ordinary ways, demonstrates the extraordinary power of God working in us.
Community Mass
Next Friday, 8th November, Year 11s and their families are especially invited to celebrate the Eucharist together, prior to study and exams. It's an opportunity to give thanks for the year, pray God's blessings on study and exams, and to celebrate together as the senior group of students in the College. The responses are on a powerpoint; the Gospel Choir leads the singing; and it's a joyful celebration - even if you are not a regular.
Date: Friday 8th November
Time: 8:00-8:30
Venue: College Chapel
Parish Life
2014 family-focused, parish-based, school-supported sacramental program, for children in Years 3, 4 & 6.
School-supported
Children complete the classroom component of the sacramental programs for Reconciliation (Year3), Communion (Year 4) or Confirmation (Year 6) at the College.
Parish-based
Children celebrate their First Reconciliation, First Communion or Confirmation within their parish community.
Family-focused
Parents, as first educators in the Faith, enrol their children in the sacramental program in their home parish sacramental program.
What should I do?
- Some parishes have begun publishing their sacramental programs for 2014, and have set a date for enrolment.
- Alternatively, go to your parish webpage via the PerthCatholic website:
- http://www.perthcatholic.org.au/parishes-priests/index.cfm?loadref=16
- Details of sacramental program from parishes close to John XXIII College will be on the College as information becomes available: http://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/parent-resources/parish
Any further queries please contact Mary-Anne Lumley: lumley.mary-anne@johnxxiii.edu.au
Is your parish City Beach?
Enrolment next Thursday (7th November)
Date:November7, 2013
Time: 4:30-5:30pm
Venue: Holy Spirit Parish Centre
Enrolment for Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Reconciliation. The Sacramental Team will answer any questions you might have regarding Sacraments.
Date: February 13, 2014
Time: 4:30-5:30pm
Venue: Holy Spirit Hall
Welcome and General Information Meeting for all children enrolled in Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Reconciliation.
