What students are learning about

On Monday after Spelling Mastery Year 3 were invited to the chapel. They all processed in looking like angels! They were very reverent.  They sat quietly in a circle and waited patiently.  Muesli bars and juice boxes was not what they were expecting. As they ate, they chatted and laughed.

After a short while I asked them if they expected to be having a snack with their friends in the chapel. They were not!

Then I told them the story of Peter and some of the disciples after the crucifixion of Jesus.

The disciples were sad and disheartened. They didn’t know what to do so they did what they knew, they went fishing. They didn’t have much luck, a man on the beach told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. They did and the nets were full! John knew straight away that it was the Lord. So, he told Peter, who then jumped into the water and swam to him. The disciples were surprised and so happy to talk and eat with Jesus. 

We talked more about what we do when we are sad, we do things that we know like play music or go fishing. Then we talked about how Jesus used food as a way to connect with people. People in Jesus' time had to work hard to get their food, sharing the little they had was a sign of spreading the love of God.

Finally, we read the last chapter of John’s gospel from the bible.

As they left the chapel the students were happy and laughing. Excited to have had an encounter with scripture that was wholly relevant to them.  

This was the beginning of their preparation for the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Catholic Life and Reflection

I am an exofficio member of the Parish Pastoral Council. Each month I attend a meeting on a Thursday night. The first 15 – 20mins are spent in prayer. This month Marian organised a reflection on the Eucharist. We read Luke 9:11-17, the Feeding of the 5000. A story I have read many times and remember from my childhood.

The reflections included this quote from Dorothy Day “We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” This really spoke to me. 

Today I was reflecting with another staff member about some difficulties in life that threaten to overwhelm us. Her comment was ‘I don’t even have to get to the kids. I feel better as soon as I walk in the door because I know who is waiting for me. I know the support is just down the corridor.” 

This Feast of the Sacred Heart Day we celebrated just that, community, and love.  We are a community of love filled people. God’s love is ours to share.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved…forever!

God bless,

Stephanie Stewart

Religious Education Coordinator