RELIGIOUS MATTERS

Jesus has a clear message for his disciples and us today:  it is that those who want to follow him must serve others and think about others’ needs before their own.

Pope Francis proclaims "The Year of St Joseph"

Pope Francis has declared that this year is to be acknowledged as the Year of St Joseph.

A few years ago while visiting the Philippines, Pope Francis spoke about his love for St Joseph into a Homily about prayer and family.

He spoke about a statue he has on his desk of the sleeping St. Joseph. From the Gospels, we know that St Joseph listened to God in his dreams and then rose to act on God’s will. Pope Francis shared with his audience that he asks St Joseph to pray for his intentions by writing them down and slipping the prayer under the statue of St Joseph

Pope Francis said, "I have a great love of St Joseph because he is a man of silence and strength. On my table, I have an image of St Joseph sleeping. Even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the Church” 

In recognition of the year of St Joseph, our students and teachers received a St Joseph lapel pin during the St Joseph Liturgy on his feast day on the 19th March.

ASPIRE NOT TO HAVE MORE BUT BE MORE 

The Caritas Australia and Project Compassion parish and school resources this year were inspired by the words of Oscar Romero  "Aspire Not To Have More BUT BE MORE" Stage Two created posters to remind us all what that can look like. The list was extensive with examples being: Be More Forgiving, Be More Supportive, Be More Inclusive, Be More Kind, Be More Caring, Be More Courageous, Be More Grateful. Be More Polite, Be More thankful, Be More Loving, Be More Passionate, Be More Charitable, Be More Considerate, Be More Aware, Be More Encouraging, Be More Thoughtful, Be More Friendly, and Be More Joyful.

Stage 2 teachers were very proud of all students who thoughtfully designed and created their informative posters. They were shared at our school assembly last week.

Below: Sasha Franks, Lilyjoy Walkington and Charlotte Robinson's posters

Project Compassion Week 5

Halima is raising her two children in a refugee camp in Bangladesh while caring for her mother who has a disability. Widowed at 21, Halima fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, arriving at the camp with nothing.

Caritas Australia, through Caritas Bangladesh, helped Halima with shelter, cooking equipment, hygiene and sanitation training. She took on the role of community trainer herself, organising the cleaning of washrooms, wells and toilets. 

Halima aspired to “Be More” and is proud that she is able to earn a small income while maintaining the health of her family and the cleanliness of the camp community.

• In the Cox’s Bazar district, women and children make up 78% of the total refugee population where 52% of children are aged 0-17. (UNHCR)

MAKING JESUS REAL - (MJR)