PARISH NEWS

BLESSED IN THE KINGDOM

Jesus further clarifies (Lk 6:17, 20-26) the Kingdom of God in the “Beatitudes”. Again he reveals the Kingdom to be quite the reverse of what society often insists we value, the “many in our day who purport to be dispensers of happiness: they come and promise us swift success, great profits within our reach, magical solutions to every problem and so on”. [Pope Francis, 17th February 2019]

Most of us, by the standards of any age, are relatively wealthy, full, laughing and in good social standing but, listening closely to Jesus teaching in the Beatitudes, we hear him instead proclaiming blessed those who are poor, hungry, displaced and persecuted. Not us! In honesty we are closer to those he warns in “the woes”, those who are having their consolation now: we have our fill now, we have every reason to laugh now and we’re spoken of well now. Australians, in common with the rest of the globe, have issues, particularly in the trials of Covid-19, but still we are very blessed and fortunate people who squirm a little hearing this proclamation. So, how do we respond in the light of this gospel teaching?

Pope Francis suggests the “woe to you” statements are addressed to those who are doing well today, with the purpose of “waking” them from the dangerous deceit of egotism, and opening them up to the logic of love, while they still have the time to do so. [Pope Francis 17/02/19]

We can be rightly proud of and enjoy our largely free, well-nourished and safe society but Jesus opens our eyes to a wider reality of pro-active closeness to the poor, suffering and hungry, not idolising or selling our souls out to worldly goods or distractions but able to share them with our brothers and sisters.

Deacon Mark Kelly

EUCHARIST 

A reminder to Grade 5 parents our preparation for First Holy Communion is about to begin! We are inviting you to an information meeting and to inform you of some dates concerning our preparation for this Sacrament. An invitation letter was emailed to all Grade 5 families on  January 19^th, if you didn’t receive this letter please text me on 0439 306 642 with your preferred email address.

If your child is in Grade Five, or above, is baptised, has received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and is ready to receive First Holy Communion please come along to our Information Meeting on Wednesday 9th February at St Ita’s Church (Drouin), 7pm OR Thursday 10th February at St Joseph’s Church, Marian Room (Warragul), 7pm.

Information packages with enrolment details will be given out on these nights.

Please note we will be commence preparation for the Sacrament of the Eucharist for Grade 4 students in Term 4. Dates and information will be sent  home soon.

For more information please

Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au

For further inquiries please contact Thérèse on M: 0439 306 642