Liturgy and Parish Liaison
International Day of Peace
Pope calls on Christians to continue prayers for peace
Each year, on September 21, the United Nations celebrates the "International Day of Peace," and the World Council of Churches is calling on its members to pray on that day for peace. I invite Catholics from around the world to join with other Christians to continue to ask God for the gift of peace in the most troubled parts of our planet. May peace, the gift of Jesus, always live in our hearts and support the intentions and actions of the leaders of nations and all people of good will. Let us commit ourselves to encouraging all efforts for a diplomatic and political solution of all the focus points of war that still are a cause for concern. My thoughts go especially to the dear people of Syria, whose human tragedy can only be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, with respect for justice and the dignity of every person, especially the weakest and most defenseless.
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/18/audience:_pope_calls_on_christians_to_continue_prayers_for_peace/en1-729495
50th Anniversary of John XXIII's Pacem in Terris
It is perhaps timely to be reminded of John XXIII's encyclical Pacem in Terris, from 1963. Here is a quote from the conclusion:
"Let us, then, pray with all fervour for this peace which our divine Redeemer came to bring us. May He banish from the souls of all whatever might endanger peace. May He transform all into witnesses of truth, justice and love. May He illumine with His light the minds of rulers, so that, besides caring for the proper material welfare of their peoples, they may also guarantee them the fairest gift of peace.
Finally, may Christ inflame the desires of all to break through the barriers which divide them, to strengthen the bonds of mutual love, to learn to understand one another, and to pardon those who have done them wrong. Through His power and inspiration may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts as sisters and brothers, and may the peace they long for ever flower and ever reign among them.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xiii_enc_11041963_pacem_en.html (paragraph 171)
Social Justice Sunday - 29th September
We celebrate Social Justice Sunday on 29 September. This year's Social Justice Statement is titled: 'Lazarus at our Gate: A critical moment in the fight against world poverty'.
The Statement urges all Australians to focus on our obligation to help the world's poorest and to work to combat poverty wherever it is found. Although progress has been made over the past decade in the fight against extreme poverty, one billion people still live on less than $1.25 per day, and 20 per cent of the world's poor live in countries near Australia.
For further details about the Social Justice Statement, visit the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council website (www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au) or call (02) 8306 3499.
This Sunday's Word
Or how much should Catholics get involved in Politics?
"A lot," says Pope Francis. The pope was inspired by St Paul's invitation to pray for those who govern, and he reflected on the dynamic between those in positions of government and those who are governed. The pope was speaking with reference to this Sunday's section of Paul's letter to Timothy (see below).
What does Pope Francis have to say about those in authority?
"You can't govern without loving the people and without humility! And every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government, must ask themselves two questions: 'Do I love my people in order to serve them better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best path.'"
What does Pope Francis have to say about those who are governed?
"Saint Paul exhorts those who are governed to lift up prayers for those who have authority, so that they might be able to lead a calm and peaceful life. Citizens cannot be indifferent to politics….
Politics, according to the Social Doctrine of the Church, is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good. It is not true that Catholics should not meddle in politics.
"But what is the best that we can offer to those who govern?
We give the best of ourselves, our ideas, suggestions, but above all prayer. That's what Paul says: 'Pray for all people, and for the king and for all in authority.' Pray for our leaders - pray for him, pray for her, that they can govern well, that they can love their people, that they can serve their people, that they can be humble, that they might lead our nation and even our world forward, for the sake of peace and of the common good."
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/16/pope_francis:_christians_must_pray_for_their_leaders/en1-728870
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Timothy, Chapter 2, verses 1-8.
Let prayers be offered to God for everyone; he wants all people to be saved.
My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone - petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving - and especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. To do this is right, and will please God our saviour: he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus, who sacrificed himself as a ransom for them all. He is the evidence of this, sent at the appointed time, and I have been named a herald and apostle of it and - I am telling the truth and no lie - a teacher of the faith and the truth to the pagans.
In every place, then, I want the men to lift their hands up reverently in prayer, with no anger or argument.
Community Mass
All welcome to this joy-filled celebration of our students, staff, parents and friends.
When: Fridays in term time
Time: 8:00-8:30
Where: Chapel
Parish Life
Sacramental Program
We are delighted to announce that several Year 4 students are celebrating their First Holy Communion at St Joseph's Parish in Subiaco this weekend. Their preparation has been a team effort of family, parish and school.
Grace Budimlich, Matthew Clement, Claudia Clyne, Domenic Cole, Sebastian Cole, Grace Edgley, Matthew Goonewardene, Charlotte Maggi, Rebecca McGurgan, Bethanie Newton, Benjamin Newton, McKenzie Richardson, Michael Skerratt, Benjamin Thomasz and David Thomson.
Parishes are planning the dates for their 2014 Sacramental Programs and we will have the information on the website, as it becomes available during term 4. In the meantime, any queries to; lumley.mary-anne@johnxxiii.edu.au.
Youth Mass
Our local Nedlands Holy Rosary Parish is celebrating a Youth Mass this coming Saturday evening at 6:00 pm. John XXIII students are represented in some of the ministries, including music, and the presider is Jeusit Fr Joseph Sobb, who has presided at a number of our College liturgies this year. Further Parish information.
