Parish Bulletin

PARISH NEWS

Hate Your Mum

How confronting is this gospel! How uncomfortable does Jesus make us! “Hate your father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters and your own life!” That seems to be Jesus’ instruction to us in this gospel (Luke 14:25-33).

We’d be reluctant to sign up to such a program because, at first glance, this passage flies in the face of all we hold dear about following Jesus. Surely the whole message of the gospels is that we come to Jesus through the love which we have for one another?

Like so much else in scripture, this needs to be understood in context. Jesus is using hyperbole here, exaggeration for the sake of emphasis. And also “hate” should better be translated as “prefer”- a call to love family less than Christ. Read with this understanding we discern that though our primary allegiance should be to Jesus rather than family, our whole gospel experience teaches us that allegiance to Jesus is completely compatible with love of family (and neighbour) and of our own lives.

Some of Jesus’ followers would be confronted too being told that, far from being easy, following Jesus is going to mean giving up all our possessions and carrying our cross. So can’t we own anything? Yes, but just as we can and should love our families, so too we can have possessions but our primary focus must be on the Kingdom.

Whatever Jesus is asking of us here though is dramatic and existential. This isn’t a bit of tweaking to our lifestyle or fixing this bit or that bit. Jesus is a radical, counter-cultural prophet calling for undivided loyalty to himself above family loyalties and above any other distractions; for total commitment and dedication to the Kingdom of God – the only thing in the end that makes sense.

Deacon Mark Kelly

2022 Migrants and Refugees Sunday

What?: Mass and after Mass gathering

When?: Sunday, 25^th September 2022

Why?: Urged by Pope Francis and Bishop Greg to celebrate our cultural diversity

Where?: St Ita’s Church and St Ita’s Hall

A special 10.30 Mass at St Ita’s Church followed by music, colour, food and story telling at St Ita’s Hall.
Celebration of the diverse cultures and stories that make up our parishes. Parishioners are invited to wear national dress for the occasion.
(regular Masses will be celebrated in the parish but all are urged to make our special gathering their Mass for the weekend).

If you can bring a national food dish to share please contact:

Barbara 0414 965 079 or Joan 0434 647 816

CONFIRMATION

COME HOLY SPIRIT

“May today there be peace within you.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts you have received,

and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.”

- St Thérèse de Lisieux –

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will be held next week on Friday, September 9^th at 7pm in Marist-Sion College School Hall. On behalf of the Parish and our Confirmation families, the Sacrament Team would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Lisa Harkin, Deacon Mark Kelly and his amazing team at Marist-Sion College for all their support in making this possible.

At this very exciting time we would like to wish our Confirmation families every blessing for this next stage in their child’s faith journey. We are very grateful for the support and cooperation shown by families, school staff and parish in helping to make this occasion meaningful and special for our young parish families. We ask our school communities to please keep these children in their prayers. Many thanks, The Sacrament Team.

CONFIRMATION REMINDERS

We sent out a text message to all our Confirmation families yesterday, August 30^th in regard to the 2^nd Rite of Reconciliation in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you didn’t receive this message please text Thérèse on 0439 306 642

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Please note there will be an invitation letter sent home to all Grade 4 families early next week with details of next term’s First Holy Communion preparation.

We are looking forward to sharing this very special time in your child’s faith journey.

Please remember to check your children’s bags for this letter. Many thanks.

Important dates for your diaries:

Parent Information Meeting:

Wednesday, 19^th October, St Ita’s Church, Drouin at 7pm or

Thursday, 20^th October, St Joseph’s Church, Warragul at 7pm

PARISH SACRAMENT ENQUIRIES

Sacrament Enquiries: Mrs Therese Meggetto

Mobile: 0439 306 642 Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au

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