Religious Education News
LENT
This week we have considered the mindset of Jesus and his followers during the transfiguration. We focused on Jesus and how he changed – physically, mentally and spiritually as a result of the transfiguration. The apostles saw his Godly nature.
We are also reminded of how we are transfigured during our whole life when we put ourselves in the presence of God. The peripheral vision of Jesus enabled Him to see the unseen and notice the unnoticed. His eyes were open in every direction, radiating in every direction towards the poor, vulnerable and marginalised.
In our words, thoughts and actions, do we radiate our divine nature to others?
This weekend the gospel focus is the gospel of Luke and the parable of the fig tree.
The man who had planted the fig tree came out to pick some fruit, but there wasn’t any. How do you think the man felt? What did he decide to do? The man had been waiting for three years for the tree to give him some fruit. He was angry and disappointed. He asked his gardener to cut down the tree. But what did the gardener say? The gardener asks for one more year to look after the tree – to dig round it and give it some manure to help it grow. Plants and trees need the right conditions to grow and the gardener hopes that by doing this, the tree will grow fruit.
People need the right conditions to live their lives well too. Everyone needs enough food and water to stay healthy and strong. People need other things to live as well like love, shelter, clean air to breathe and peace.
The fig tree in Jesus’ story is supposed to share its fruit with the man who planted it, but it is not doing what it is supposed to. Sometimes we are a bit like the fig tree. We do not share as well as we could. So, if the fig tree in Jesus’ story is a bit like us, who do you think the gardener is? The gardener is like Jesus. The gardener gives the fig tree another chance and gives it all the things it needs to live. Jesus is always ready to forgive us when we have done something wrong. And Jesus shows us how we should live our lives.
God gives us the chance to change, to share what we have and to do all that we can to make sure that all people have the things that they need to live. What will you do during this week of Lent, to help build a better world?
Third Week of Lent (Week beginning Monday 24 March)
Lam is 27 years old from a small village in rural Vietnam who faced significant challenges due to his short stature. Growing up, Lam often felt isolated due to limited job opportunities and difficulty moving around his community. While his friends started jobs after high school, Lam stayed home with his parents, unsure if he could ever achieve his dream of becoming a graphic designer.
Everything changed when Lam joined the I-SHINE program, supported by Caritas Australia. Through this initiative, Lam completed a six-month course developing his graphic design skills. Along the way, he built confidence, made friends and gained a sense of connection.
Today, Lam runs a successful freelance graphic design business from home, serving clients worldwide and earning a steady income. Lam hopes his story will encourage other young people with disabilities to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams.
Lam’s journey shows how your support of Project Compassion empowers individuals to break barriers and transform their lives.
Will you walk alongside people like Lam this Lent?
Fourth Week of Lent (Week beginning Monday 31 March)
Irene lives in a remote village in the Kongolo Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Life hasn’t been easy for Irene. After losing her father in a war, Irene and her family were forced to flee their home. Life became even more challenging when her husband left, leaving Irene to raise her 2 children alone. Without finishing her education and with few job opportunities in her village, she struggled to provide even the basics for her family.
Things began to change when Irene joined the Youth Capacity Strengthening Program (YCSP), run by Caritas Kongolo with the support of Caritas Australia. Through the program, Irene learned sewing skills and was provided with a sewing machine and fabric. Irene also gained farming skills. Now, she grows enough food to feed her family and even shares her sewing knowledge by mentoring other women in her community.
“Before, women depended on men's income, but now, with our sewing skills, we can take care of ourselves,” Irene said.
Your support of Project Compassion helps women like Irene to create brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Watch Irene’s story here. (For secondary students and parents)
Will you stand in solidarity with people like Irene this Lent?
Photo credit: Arlette Bashizi/Caritas Australia
Please donate today.
You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code above.
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413
Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.
Don't forget to donate tou our basket in the foyer if you have any tins of soup, baked beans or packets of biscuits.
Thank you to those students and families who have been writing their prayers and thoughts in their class Lenten folders.
Our Lenten liturgies continue each Monday morning at 9am. Everyone is welcome.
The Patch
Our Year 4 students, with the help of parents and grandparents, continue to beautify and allow for plants to grow and thrive in 'The Patch.' Thanks to all those who are stewards of God's creation within our school surroundings.
Parish / Grade Masses
Just a reminder that parents, grandparents and friends are invited to celebrate Mass with grades each Friday at noon. Today was Year 6, Week 9 is Year 5, Week 10 Year 4 and Week 11 Year 3.
Have a wonderful fortnight!
Mrs Joanne Herring
Religious Education Coordinator