RELIGIOUS MATTERS- Megan Boyd

SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading: Mark 12: 38-44
Jesus notices a poor widow’s offering and commends her great sacrifice. Generosity is a trait we wish to encourage and develop in ourselves and in our children. 

In this week’s Gospel Jesus acknowledges the generosity of the poor widow, even though she gave a lesser amount to the treasury. Her small coins required a greater sacrifice than the large amounts contributed by those who were rich.

We are called to be generous like the widow. Many of us can feel that we have little to give to a world that has so many problems. As he did with the widow, Jesus is telling us that what is most important to God is to give what we have with a generous heart.

Celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia

Last term our Stage Two students wrote personal letters to a Sister of St Joseph, Patricia Snudden. She was deeply touched by the quality and honesty shared in the children's letters. This week all the children received a personal letter from Sister Patricia, Sister Frances or Sister Elaine as a reply and these individualised letters responded to the thoughts and sharing of the students. We thank her for her selfless act of kindness.

We have also received an inscribed copy of Sister Patricia's beautiful book called Imagining Mary MacKillop With Whisperings from Mary.

This beautiful book uses creative images and words to inspire prayer and reflection, Many of the quotes of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop guide our actions today, such as: Never see a need without doing something about it." and " With God all things are possible." Sister Patricia reflects in her book as a response to the quote,"The Unseen becomes visible, the unheard is heard, the darkness made light"

THE SPIRIT OF JESUS  - MAKING JESUS REAL  (MJR) 

At St Joseph’s Woodburn we encourage our students to “Make Jesus Real’” by the way they act in our school community, while at home and out in the wider community.

The most amazing thing happens when we do something good for others - we shine the light of the spirit of Jesus out of our hearts and, when we see others doing good things, we see the spirit of Jesus in them. How do we show the Spirit of Jesus? Every time you smile at someone it is an action of love, A gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

MJR at St Joseph’s Woodburn encourages our students to be WEST people - that is WELCOMING, ENCOURAGING, SAY SORRY when needed and be THANKFUl.

If we have the spirit of Jesus in our hearts, then we are kind, compassionate, welcoming cheerful, giving, forgiving, encouraging, cheerful, friendly and thankful.