Prayer

Memorial of St Ignatius of Loyola 31st July 

Today we celebrate the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish saint who founded the Jesuit Order of Priests. Ignatius was a soldier who was severely wounded in battle and whilst recovering, his life changed when he began to read some religious books given to him. He gave up soldiering and began to study, gradually setting up a community who devoted their lives to God. 

The Jesuits are especially known for their work in education. 

Winter Appeal 

We would like to thank you all, as members of our school community, who generously supported and donated towards our fundraising and food drive for the COVID-19 St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal at the end of last term. We donated 65 very full bags of food items and the Winter Wooly day raised over $711. Thank you again for your generosity, we know it has been well received by the local SVdP society and those in need. 

Liturgical Life of the School and Church Attendance Changes 

Due to current circumstances with COVID-19 restrictions changing frequently and most importantly the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff, the CSO RE and Spirituality Team and Diocesan Liturgy Council, have made the decision for all schools to refrain from  attending Parish Masses or Church services. Until further notice, classes will not be attending Parish Mass, nor will classes be able to visit the church for RE lessons. We do continue though to greatly value our school-parish relationship, prayer and worship, and the liturgical celebrations of our faith. As a school community, we will be developing new and creative opportunities to maintain these relationships with the parish, Fr Peter and Helene O’Neill as we continually develop as a faith community. We aim to see the positives in these circumstances and seize this time as an opportunity to nurture the prayer life of the school community in class and other smaller groups, and in ways that prepare students for more meaningful participation in the official liturgy of the Church when that is possible again. 

Upcoming Feast Days 

These important feast days will be celebrated by the school community through a classroom liturgy, prayer and activities. 

August 8th - St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 

https://reonline.sydcatholicschools.nsw.edu.au/2016/06/17/feast-of-st-mary-of-the-cross-mackillop/

August 15^th - The Assumption of Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sunday Gospel – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew                 

Mt 14:13-21 

Jesus feeds five thousand 

When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick. 

When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered, ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me,’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves he handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining, twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children. 

Mass 

Find out all about attending Mass at the St Benedict’s Parish website  https://www.newcastlecatholic.org.au/