From the APRIM

Dear Families

Class Liturgies and Masses
As Covid restrictions have been eased, class Masses will now resume on Thursday 9 June with parents allowed to attend. The Reception class will celebrate with a liturgy in the week preceding this. Please look out for information from Melinda regarding the time and day for this celebration. The Reception/Year 1 class and the Year 2 class have had a liturgy already this term in their classroom.

Altar Servers
All those students who have completed their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion) are invited to train to be an altar server. Please contact Bianca Cotton or me to register your child’s interest.

Reflection
Last Sunday’s Gospel reading from John included some well-known verses, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 34-35

The true meaning of the word ‘love’ in current times has become lost in the materialistic world that we live in. Showing love seems to be measured in terms of hearts, romance, gifts, public displays of affection and focussing on family relationships. Definitions from the internet suggest that love means “caring for someone in a way that they need with no strings attached” or “based on commitment, respect, trust and acceptance.” Is that what Jesus meant? In fact, the Jewish meaning of the original biblical translation was ‘respect’. “Respect one another, even as I have respected you, that you also respect one another.” It makes a difference, doesn’t it? As followers of Jesus, we are called to respect one another based on commitment, trust and acceptance.

Well-known cartoonist, Leunig created prayers for publication in Melbourne’s Sunday Age Newspaper. He believed that newspapers could carry some words of consolation as reparation for the anxiety and distress that they can create. There was one that especially spoke to me:

“Love/respect one another and you will be happy.
It’s as simple and as difficult as that.
There is no other way.
Amen.”

Blessings

Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission