Religious Education
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
A Canaanite woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter.
I wonder if Jesus responded to the woman in a particular way because she was not Jewish. After all, Jesus, because he was a Jew, was raised to believe they were God's chosen ones. It is interesting to think that this woman, in a sense, taught Jesus something by the strength of her faith. I wonder if he saw, through the strength of the woman's faith, that it was not only the Jewish people who could believe in God. I imagine that after this meeting Jesus looked at foreigners in a different way, that this woman helped him to see that God loves all people.
Because we are followers of Jesus, we need to remember to treat others that way too. There is no religion or race or nationality that is better than another. Having lots of money or being attractive does not make a person any better than the poorest, most unattractive person. It is not fair to judge people on that basis. We need to give everyone a chance. We need to realise that people are surprising; sometimes the most unlikely person can teach us a lot about faith. We have to remember to look for the good in every person, and to treat everyone with respect.
Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time
Jesus asks, "Who do people say I am?"
The wisdom of God is beyond our understanding. Yet it is through human beings that God works, and God has entrusted the mission of the church to those who believe in him and answer his call. The foundation for everything is a personal faith in Jesus. We are challenged to reflect on how we would respond to the question Jesus asked the disciples in today's gospel: ‘But who do you say I am?'
Feast of the Assumption of Mary
Although Catholics are not obligated to attend Mass for this feast day, we recognise the assumption of Mary into heaven on Saturday 15 August. The Church teaches that Mary was without sin. She accepted God's will for her life and freely and perfectly obeyed. She served God, and followed her son, Jesus Christ. She was present at his death and resurrection. As a just reward for her goodness and devotion, she was assumed into heaven where she resides today in the company of God, and all the saints. Mary, like the saints, can hear our prayers. She has a special connection to Jesus Christ as His mother, and therefore we believe she can intercede for us.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Forms regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation for 2020 have been sent out this week to Year 6 parents via Compass. These forms, if they haven’t already been received by the parish, must be received by Monday 24 August as no forms will be taken after this date. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Sacramental Coordinator Kelly Glen - kglen@tpg.com.au
Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
Our online learning has commenced this week in regard to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students have to use a regular gmail.com account to log on and the correct code for Google classrooms is i5xdxuj. Workbooks will be collected and marked by the 26th of August. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Sacramental Coordinator Kelly Glen - kglen@tpg.com.au
Ripples Podcast
This week's Episode features Beth Riolo and is entitled "The Musical Thread." She explores the relationship between music and spirituality and the capacity for music to inform our minds, touch our hearts and speak to our souls. The Meditation this week is a guided meditation which incorporates music and questions of the heart. It is entitled "Your Heart Song" and includes accompaniment by Gary Quinn and Tim Hart's beautiful composition "Receive Your Grace."
The links to the Podcast are provided below.
PODCAST LINKS:
LINK TO PODBEAN: https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au
APPLE PODCAST LINK: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ripples/id1511337808
LINK via CEDoW Learning Continuity Site:
PARENTS: https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/clem-spiritual-formation/spiritual-formation/parents
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CathEd.DoW/videos/628159871160452
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/CDx_2aGAmFR/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/CathEd_DoW/status/1293449497108856833