Gospel of the Week

John 14:23-29

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we shall come to him

and make our home with him.

Those who do not love me do not keep my words.

And my word is not my own:

it is the word of the one who sent me.

I have said these things to you

while still with you;

but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you everything

and remind you of all I have said to you.

Peace I bequeath to you,

my own peace I give you,

a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me say:

I am going away, and shall return.

If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,

for the Father is greater than I.

I have told you this now before it happens,

so that when it does happen you may believe.’

Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,

This week, the Gospel tells us Jesus has been talking about the coming Holy Spirit and how he will reveal himself to his disciples even though he is no longer with them. And one of them basically asks him, why us rather than everyone else?

He cautions us against letting our hearts be troubled, lest we and others lose sight of where God is to be found. Jesus responds to the anxiety of his disciples by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me” (14:1). Jesus calls them back to this fundamental relationship of trust and assures them that he is not abandoning them. Rather, he is returning to his Father, which is good news for them.

Love is costly. Here we see the disciples saddened over Jesus' words - muddled in their lack of complete understanding. They certainly got the part about Jesus leaving and they simply could not get past that dismay to achieve clarity.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Catholic Education Week mass, which was celebrated at St Francis Xavier, Beaconsfield Campus. I took with me 2 School captains and 3 House Captains and we were treated to an incredible celebration of Catholic Education. The choir made up of 4 schools, primary and secondary, was very moving and fair to say left the audience with some tears in their eyes with their singing. Bishop Greg officiated over the mass with along with 4 other priests from the Sale Diocese including our parish priest Fr Jeff.

Last week at our Catholic Education Week Assembly, we presented some flowers and a speech for one of our most iconic teachers, Mrs Noleen Chalmers. Noleen has been in Catholic education for 45 years, 25 of those spent here at St Patrick’s. Year 6TA, prepared and presented the assembly and they are to be congratulated on their efforts. I would like to take the time to thank Noleen for all of her incredible work with our students and families over the past 25 years. How blessed we are to have such a dedicated teacher. 

 

Thank you and God Bless,

Meg

RESCHEDULED SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

Our new school Photo Day will be on Thursday 29^th May. Please place this on your calendars. Forms have been sent home already. 

School Uniform

All students should be wearing their WINTER school uniform please from next week, Monday the 12^th May. Hats are no longer required to be worn. Please remember to wear the proper school shoes and NOT runners. The second-hand uniform shop is open on Thursday afternoons by appointment so please contact the office you need to top up your supplies. Cash and card accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL STUDENTS WILL NEED TO BE IN THEIR WINTER SCHOOL UNIFORM FOR THE SCHOOL PHOTOS.