Religious News
Let us prayer together, that God will bless the community of St James throughout this year and that the learning that takes place in our school fulfils our motto “In Faith we Learn”.
Prayer for the Beginning of the school Year
God of wisdom and might,
We praise you for the wonders of our being,
for mind, body and spirit.
Be with our children as we begin the new school year.
Bless them, their parents and their teachers and staff.
Give them strength and grace as their bodies grow;
Wisdom and knowledge to their minds as they search for understanding:
And peace and zeal to their spirits.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
This week’s Gospel comes from Luke 5: 1-11.
“Once while Jesus was standing beside the Lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to burst. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were astounded at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.”
The real message here is in the last few words: ‘they left everything and followed him’. They left behind them their great catch, because they had been captivated instead by the person of Jesus. We too are to ‘seek first the kingdom of God’ – we are to live in God’s world and judge the world’s affairs from that vantage point.
Friday Parish Mass will begin next week with Year 5 attending the 9:15am mass at the church. All grades will be rostered to attend this mass once a term. You are welcome to join with your children when they are rostered for mass.
Term 1 Liturgies and Celebrations:
|
Week 3:
|
Friday 14th February - Parish Mass / Year 6
|
|
Week 4:
|
Friday 21st February - Parish Mass / Year 5 |
|
Week 5:
|
Friday 28th February - Opening School Mass 9:15am in the Hall Saturday 1st March - Parish Family Mass / Sacramental Enrolment Mass Sunday 2nd March - Diocesan Launch of the Jubilee Year |
|
Week 6:
|
Ash Wednesday 5th March K - 2 Liturgy 9:30am in the church Years 3 - 6 Mass 12:45pm in the church |
|
Week 7:
|
Friday 14th March - Parish Mass / Year 3 and 4 |
|
Week 8:
|
Friday 21st March - Harmony Day TBC |
|
Week 9:
|
Friday 28th March - Parish Mass / Year 1 |
|
Week 10:
|
Friday 4th April - Parish Mass / Year 2 |
|
Week 11:
|
Holy week Celebrations - dates and times TBC Friday 11th April - Parish Mass / Kindergarten and Year 6 |
2025 Diocesan Launch of the Jubilee Year
Sunday 2 March
This year has been designated as a jubilee Year by Pope Francis as a time to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope”.
“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
Pope Francis, For the Jubilee, 2024
You are invited to celebrate the Jubilee Year with a Diocesan pilgrimage from Nobby’s Beach (8:00am) to Sacred Heart Cathedral, culminating in Mass (10:00am) and a Festival (11:00am) in the Cathedral precinct grounds. The festival will feature an official Launch of Project Compassion 2025. All corners of the Diocese are encouraged to have representation and involvement as we mark Pope Francis’ theme -Pilgrims of Hope. Attached is an outline of some planned events for the jubilee year. We hope to have some families join our St James group at this event. More details will follow in the coming weeks.
Sacramental Program 2025
The Sacramental Program for All Saints Parish will begin with the Enrolment Mass on March 1st at 5:30pm at St Phillips. The Sacramental Program is for children in Year 4 or above who have been baptised in the Catholic Church and wish to complete their initiation into the Church. Attached is the program outline for 2025 with all the dates and times. An email will be sent to the parents and carers of all students in Years 4, 5 and 6 with the forms that need to be completed and other relevant information within the next week.
Mrs Patricia Miller
Religious Coordinator