Parish Bulletin
PARISH NEWS
SAMARITANS
Samaritans pop up a number of times in the gospels. Unlike their appearance elsewhere, the gospels often portray them as the good guys, rather than the despised outsiders of Jewish tradition. Modern scholarship indicates they are a separated branch of Israelites. A bit like Protestant v Catholic separation, they drifted further apart over the centuries and the relationship became poisonous. Jesus, as a neighbouring Galilean, understood that culture and those prejudices.
Hatred and mistrust percolated for many years across the racial, ethnic and religious barriers between the Jews and their near neighbours, the Samaritans. As an earlier gospel mildly puts it, “Jews do not associate with Samaritans.” Jesus rises above such prejudices, highlighting good and faithful Samaritans. We are all familiar with the “Good Samaritan” parable and the Samaritan woman at the well and here we have the Samaritan leper who alone of the ten who were cured returns to thank Jesus.
As with last week’s gospel, Jesus highlights the power of faith to cut across division and enmity. Ten lepers plead for Jesus help and are cured, but only this one faithfully and wholly gives himself to Jesus (Luke 17:11-19).
What is Jesus’ message for us here? Maybe it becomes clearer if we substitute “white bread Aussies” for observant Jews and then “refugees, migrants, Africans, Muslims, others” for Samaritans. Perhaps all are equally beloved. Perhaps too, others can be equally faithful.
Can we learn from those with whom we “don’t associate”? Asking Jesus to fix our immediate problems, is one thing, offering ourselves, as the Samaritan leper does, in recognition that Jesus himself is the true source of our wholeness, is another.
We too are called to sit at Jesus feet in wondrous gratitude, recognising that the bounty he offers me is offered to all his children, precious to him whatever their race, ethnicity or religion.
Deacon Mark Kelly
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION GRADE 4 2022IMPORTANT DATES TO MARK IN YOUR DIARYPlease note there an invitation letter was sent home to all Grade 4 families last 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. For more enquires please contact Thérèse on 0439 306 642 |
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INFORMATION MEETING Wednesday 19th October at St Ita’s Church (Drouin) at 7pm OR Thursday 20th October at St Joseph’s Church, in the Marian Room (Warragul) at 7pm. |
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COMMITMENT MASSES St Joseph’s Church, Warragul Saturday 22nd October, 7pm or Sunday 23rd October, 9am St Ita’s Church, Drouin Sunday 23rd October, 10:30am or Sunday 30th October, 10.30am |
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PARENT WORKSHOP 1 (Liturgy of The Word) Drouin: (St Ita’s Church): Wednesday 2nd November, 7pm Warragul: Marian Room (St Joseph’s Church): Thursday 3rd November, 4pm or 7pm SPECIAL TEACHING MASSES INVOLVING THE CHILDREN Teaching Mass 1: (Liturgy of The Word) St Joseph’s Church, Warragul Saturday 12th November, 7pm or Sunday 13th November, 9am St Ita’s Church, Drouin Sunday 13th November, 10:30am |
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PARENT & CHILD WORKSHOP 2 (Liturgy of The Eucharist) Drouin: (St Ita’s Church): Wednesday 16th November, 7pm Warragul: Marian Room (St Joseph’s Church): Thursday 17th November, 4pm OR 7pm Teaching Mass 2: (Liturgy of The Eucharist) St Joseph’s Church, Warragul Saturday 19th November, 7pm Or Sunday 20th November, 9am St Ita’s Church, Drouin Sunday 20th November, 10:30am |
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2nd RITE OF RECONCILIATION: (Preparation for First Communion) St Ita’s Church, Drouin Wednesday 30th November, at 7pm St Joseph’s Church, Warragul Thursday 1st December, at 7pm |
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASSES
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PARISH SACRAMENT ENQUIRIES
Sacrament Enquiries: Mrs Therese Meggetto
Mobile: 0439 306 642 Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au
