Liturgy

Parish Life

If there are parents who have, for various reasons, been unable to enrol their daughter or son in their parish sacramental program, or would like further information, please contact

Mary-Anne Lumley by email or via the Office.

© Artwork: Tony Kiely, Emmaus Productions

Sacramental Diary

Our local parishes have supplied the following diary information, which is on the College website. However we appreciate that the College has a wide catchment area. For further information:

- Your Parish Priest or Administrator

- Drop down box at http://www.perthcatholic.org.au/

- College website

- Mary-Anne Lumley - lumley.mary-anne@johnxxiii.edu.au

CITY BEACH: HOLY SPIRIT

Congratulations to Joel Margaria and Jasmine Slatter who celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time yesterday.

NORTH BEACH: OUR LADY OF GRACE

Congratulations to Mia Serra who celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time last weekend.

THIS SUNDAY'S GOSPEL: "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:13-20)

This weekend's homily is by Jesuit, Fr Richard Leonard SJ and is reprinted here with his kind permission. Fr Richard Leonard SJ is the author of Preaching to the Converted, Paulist Press, New York, 2006.

A furore broke out in a country diocese some years ago about the retreat style of priest who was taking Catholic students in their last year of high school or who were attending university away for weekend retreats. On the Friday night of the retreat this priest would tell the young people that by the end of the weekend they should make a decision about their Christian faith.

Some parents were shocked that their young people were given an ultimatum that included the possibility of rejecting their faith. The priest replied that Catholic youth have to make all sorts of decisions regarding career, lifestyle, residence, studies and relationships. Religion, he contended, often fell by the wayside, either not important enough on which to make a decision, or relegated to the personal shelf of neglect to be possibly taken down and dusted off years later for a hatching, matching or dispatching.

The priest argued that this wasn't good enough. After 12 years of Catholic education or many years of catechetics the Church had to take the risk of calling for a personal decision for faith. Some of the young people consciously chose membership in the Church. In making such a profession of faith many reported having a deep encounter with God and an experience of their faith in Christ. Other students made decisions against belonging to the Church, which is, of course, never irrevocable.

The entire retreat process was based on the question in today's Gospel: 'Who do you say that I am?'

The disciples, reflecting on their experiences with Jesus, offer various possibilities, but it is Peter who says that Jesus is the revelation of God for the world. This is the great profession of faith and the basis on which the Church comes into being.

And what was true then, is true now. At some point, if we want our faith to move from being a code of law, a concept, or some excellent ideas to something we can experience, we must take the faith of the Church, which has nurtured us up to now, and make it our own. In doing so, when we encounter Christ, we contribute to the re-founding of the Church in our generation.

Just being part of the 'Catholic crowd' is hardly the challenge Jesus presents to the disciples in today's Gospel. We are commissioned like the disciples to bear witness to Christ's personal love in the workplace, with our friends and in our families.

It's always helpful to be reminded that we might be the only face of Catholicism, or even Christianity, that another person may encounter. The way in which we bind them up or set them free might be the measure by which they judge if the Church is the face of Christ in today's world and whether they could find a home with us.

And it all hinges on that great question which is asked of each of us today: 'Who do you say that I am?' How we answer this question reveals so much, including whether Christ is an idea we like, or the object of our passion. ©

Community Mass

Next Friday, 29th August, Community Mass will be led by Year 8 students, and all year 8 families and friends are particularly welcome!

Fathers' Day Mass

Friday 5th September Community Mass will join Primary to celebrate a special early morning Fathers' Mass at the earlier start time of 7:30. Refreshments to follow. Please RSVP for catering purposes. For further details go to: PLEASE PUT IN LINK FROM ANTOINETTE'S SECTION IN PRIMARY