RE News
With Sharee Thomas
Last week Ms Barling and I had the privilege to represent SJV as delegates at the NSW Catholic Schools Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference. Over 500 delegates represented the eleven diocese across NSW and ACT. We were privileged to listen to inspirational speakers including Jeff McMullen, Kurt Fearnley, Anita Heiss and Sarah Kastelic. We participated in cultural workshops and visits to country to experience sacred sites.
This was a particularly poignant experience for me as I had the opportunity to connect with my Aboriginal Heritage and Culture in a way that I hadn't in the past. The time on country to view the painting of Baiame and visit a 'womens' site gave me insight to a side of my identity I was unaware of.
Ms Barling and I are looking forward to sharing our learnings and experiences with our SJV community.
This week, 68 children and 4 adults from our Parish received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Where once again, Archbishop Christopher Prowse officiated both celebrations.
Congratulations to the following Confirmants:
Johanna Barling, Elizabeth Bond, Daniel Loughlin, Samantha Cook, Hayley Mann, Phoebe Cooper, Emily Myers, Ellie Dickens, Amelia Nolan, Connor Doyle, Jaeda Odonkor, Mia Dutkiewicz, Raphael Pilapil, Oliver Ransom, Sophya Halatoa, Tegan Stackpoole, Mollie Kennedy, Jake Urbaniak, Bonnie Wilder, Annika Plenty and Emilie Sydlarczuk.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who were involved in preparing the children to receive the Sacrament as well as all the people who made the Confirmation ceremony as wonderful as it was.
GOSPEL REFECTION
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells us that trust is based on performance. If you have shown yourself to be responsible in small things, then you will be trusted with larger things. If you have shown yourself to be careless or dishonest, even in a small matter, you will not be trusted in a more important matter.
Jesus warns us that we cannot be a slave to two masters – God and money. We must decide which is more important, and then live our life accordingly.
This week as a family discuss a time when trust has been broken. What can you do to get gain that trust back? What is important in your life? Where does God rate?
Have a great week!