Religious Education
Social Justice Sunday
Social Justice Sunday is this coming Sunday 28 August. The Australian Bishops Social Justice Statement is launched on the last Sunday in August each year. The theme of this statement for 2022-23 is RESPECT: Confronting Violence and Abuse.
The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB outlines the premise for the statement in his forward as we continue as a Catholic community to respond to the signs of the times.
“In recent years we have witnessed a new wave of campaigns to confront violence and abuse. We have heard new calls for respect in relationships. Many have spoken out to highlight the extent of abuse throughout society – in the home, in the workplace, and in various groups in the community, including the Church. Those who suffer such abuse are most frequently women and children while the perpetrators are most frequently men. But no matter who suffers such violence, and who perpetrates it, the damage to the lives of the victims and survivors of such abuse is real, destructive, and long-lasting.
The virtue of solidarity challenges us to support those who are seeking justice in the face of such widespread violence. The teaching of Christ urges us to promote relationships marked by respect and freedom rather than coercion and control. The message of the Gospel is not a message of domination of one person over another but a message of mutual esteem and kindness.”
The link to the Statement and other resources can be found here.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation / Season of Creation
In 2015 Pope Francis established 1st September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of
Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common
home. The day is inspired by Pope Francis' landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls on "every person living on this planet" to care for our shared Earth.
The Season of Creation begins on September 1st and the theme and invitation of this year’s season is Listen to the Voice of Creation. In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2022, Pope Francis calls us to use the season to "cultivate our ecological conversion” and to pray together in “the great cathedral of Creation”. He warns that we are reaching “a breaking point" and must act decisively so that "we and future generations can continue to rejoice in creation’s sweet song of life and hope." Today we raise to God our thanks for the marvellous works that have been entrusted to our care, and we ask for God’s help as we take action to protect our planet and all of its creatures. St Columbkille’s will acknowledge this day with a prayer at morning assembly next Thursday, and 4B will incorporate this theme into their assembly item next Friday.
If you are interested in a game of ‘BINGO” use the sheet below to tick off as many items as you can- and why not get the whole family involved!
Indigenous Literacy Day
St Columbkille’s will recognise and support Indigenous Literacy Day on Wednesday 7th September with a “Great Book Swap”. Students will donate a favourite book in exchange for a gold coin donation. Not only will students be fundraising for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, but they will also choose a new book to take home and share with their family.
A special zoom event, presented by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and hosted by the Sydney Opera House, will also enable the children to be immersed in this day.
Father’s Day Celebrations
Next Friday 2nd September our school will pay tribute to all our father figures (dads, grandads, pops, uncles, brothers etc) with a lunch and liturgy celebration. RSVP’s need to be received by Tuesday 30th August at info.sccdow@catholic.edu.au. We look forward to celebrating this event for the first time since COVID.
Over the past few weeks our Year 3 students (as well as some from other grades), have been preparing for the sacrament of Reconciliation. On Wednesday 7th September Father Patrick and Father Anthony will lead these students in this sacrament of forgiveness. We continue to pray for these children as they reflect on times when they did not live as Jesus asked them.
Family Mass
St Columbkille’s looks forward to celebrating mass with the parish on Sunday 4th September at 9.30am. It would be a lovely start to Father’s Day for your family. If you and your child would like to read, either the readings of the day or prayers of the faithful, or bring up the offertory gifts, please let the school or myself know. Morning tea will occur after Mass with time for the families to catch up while the children play.
Ripples Podcast is back- In Conversation with Andrew Chinn
Our good friend of St Columbkille’s, Mr Andrew Chinn, shares his extraordinary life journey and his calling to share God’s message of love through music. Well worth a listen!
Episode 30: Sharing the Message of Love through Music - In Conversation with Andrew Chinn
Meditation 30: Balancing Work and Rest
Guided Visual Meditation: Balancing Work and Rest
Have a great fortnight!
Mrs Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator