This Week Let us include in our prayers…..

• Those communities that continue to suffer physically and mentally as a result of Covid-19. We especially pray for our families, friends and colleagues who are living with uncertainty and fear in the southern states of Australia.
• Peace in countries that continue to be affected by abuse of power and destruction through war. May leaders and those who bear weapons listen to the cry of those who are suffering and dying.

 Sunday’s Gospel- 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Please find shared in this week’s newsletter: the Sunday prayer at home which has some wonderful resources to unpack this week’s readings in a family friendly way. This week’s Gospel is another Parable from the Gospel of Matthew. The parables that Jesus used were neither scientific nor fanciful. They are stories that bear deep truths for those who engage with the imaginatively and who are prepared to make the choices we as Catholics are called to make. Jesus invites us on a journey of discovery when he unpacks the vision of ‘the kingdom of heaven’.... There is no parable that can offer a logical or comprehensive description of what the kingdom of heaven will be like, instead, Jesus teases and challenges believers to see the world in a different way- his way.

This way of seeing the world is especially strange for us in the 21st century and seems to operate with conflicting mindsets. On the one hand we demand scientific proof for truths before we adopt them, we are constantly searching for empirical evidence to back up belief. Yes this week’s Gospel is asking us to look beyond the scientific and take a leap of faith and visualise the potential of the world Jesus envisioned for us.   Gospel Reflections

 Assembly

It was wonderful to be able to gather together for a whole school assembly on Friday in the basketball court. As restrictions ease this term, we will be resuming more school functions. We will begin by gathering the students for a second assembly this Friday.  Due to the continued restrictions around adults on school grounds, we will invite the parents of students receiving awards to the assembly each week.  We ask parents to maintain social distancing while on school grounds and we appreciate your support with these changes.

 Semester 1 Student Academic Reports

This week students academic reports will be available for downloading from the Parent Portal. If you are needing assistance with accessing the Parent Portal please contact our school office and we will be able to assist you. Please find below instructions on  how to access the academic reports section of the Parent Portal.

May St Joseph smile on you,

Meg Newell