St Anne's Catholic College - Temora
PDF Details

Newsletter QR Code

De Boos Street
Temora NSW 2666
Subscribe: https://stannestemora.nsw.edu.au/subscribe

Email: office.stannes@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6977 1011

RE News

The Sacrament of First Eucharist

The students in Year 4 have been busy preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist and we keep them in our prayers. It is pleasing to see that some of the families have made a  conscious effort to attend weekend masses regularly especially during this preparation time. It certainly helps to provide the candidates with a greater awareness of all that they are learning and helps to promote a greater sense of community in this lead up. Any candidates who have not enrolled are reminded to please contact Fr Sijo and to also notify him at the beginning of Mass that they are present, when they attend in the coming days, so that he is aware of their intention to enrol. Please note that this must be done prior to the reception of the Sacrament. 

Details regarding the Retreat day for First Eucharist will be sent home in the next few days.

Important dates: 

First Eucharist Retreat Day Tuesday 10th November 9:00 - 3:20pm.

Sacrament of First Eucharist evening Thursday 12th November at 6pm. 

Candle.jpg

Year 6 Retreat Tomorrow

In light of the fact that we had to postpone this year’s Confirmation, the Year 6 students are participating in a class Retreat tomorrow in St Joseph’s hall. Parents are asked to please check their emails to ensure that they have responded by tomorrow morning. The theme of the day is ‘Let your light shine’ and encourages the students to take some time to connect with each other, to connect with their God and to reflect on how they affect others and the impact of their choices. It is a lovely, affirming program that we are sure the students will enjoy. The Year 6 students are reminded to please bring their own recess and drink bottle (not to be shared due to COVID-19 protocols).  They will all get individual orders of hot chips and a drink for lunch.

All Saints & All Souls Liturgy

Please note that this year the students will be having class liturgies on Monday 2nd November for the combined All Saints & All Souls Day and due to restricted numbers in the Church will not be attending the Mass. Parents and other parishioners are invited and most welcome to still attend the Mass with Fr Sijo as per the Parish Bulletin.

All Saints Feast Sunday 1st November

Adapted Commentary by Mary Coloe PBVM

Revelations 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-2

Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven

The Feast of All Saints is a rich and beautiful tradition within the Church. It honours those who have died, it reminds us that we are part of a wider communion of holy people, and it affirms our faith in God’s loving fidelity to life. In the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, from Vatican II, an entire chapter is given to affirm that the Pilgrim Church on earth looks to its final completion at the end of time, and that while awaiting this End Time, we are supported and nourished in faith by those already experiencing the fullness of life with God.

Until the Lord shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him and death being destroyed, all things are subject to Him, some of His disciples are exiles on earth, some having died are purified, and others are in glory beholding ‘clearly God triune and one’, but all in various ways and degrees are in communion in the same love of God and neighbour and all sing the same hymn of glory to our God…

For by reason of the fact that those in heaven are more closely united with Christ, they establish the whole Church more firmly in holiness, lend nobility to the worship which the Church offers to God here on earth and in many ways contribute to its greater edification. (L.G. para 49)

This weekend’s readings reflect that certainty of faith. In the context of today’s celebration of the Saints, the Beatitudes may sound as if they are the promise of a future, heavenly reward, but it is important to notice that Jesus’ words in the first and last Beatitude are in the present tense: ‘Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Along with the Saints in heaven who experience the fullness of God’s desires, Jesus’ sermon is directed to disciples now, offering them a vision of what life in the kingdom might mean.

The whole point of Jesus’ sermon is to show that Jesus is not speaking from the values of this world. He is offering his listeners a change of perspective. He is offering us a vision of what the world would be like if God’s reign were operative. In this world of God’s desires the hungry would be fed, the merciful would receive mercy, and mourners would find comfort. It is this world, this present reign of God, which you and I are meant to be citizens of. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is our Constitution setting out the values and way of life for Christians. If we truly live as citizens of God’s kingdom, it is unlikely that we will know successes in our current society. Values of generosity, compassion, hospitality do not sit well alongside values of economic prosperity, border control and globalisation. But if we take this Gospel to heart we can draw strength from Jesus’ words – ‘Good on you, if people abuse you and persecute you, and speak against you. Yours is the kingdom.’