On the 8th August we honour Australia’s first saint, Mary of the Cross Mackillop. Throughout her life, Mary Mackillop accomplished many extraordinary things. She showed courage, determination and overall, a tremendous amount of faith. These virtues in particular are what led her to being the first Australian saint, and a great religious role model. Her legacy of compassion has inspired hundreds of Australians to be better people, and to help those less fortunate. She gave her life to those who needed it, and her quote, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” has motivated generations of Australian Catholics to better themselves by giving generously, and to live humble lives, regardless of the situations they find themselves in.

This year, on the 17th October, will mark the 10th anniversary since Mary Mackillop was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

As we celebrate the remarkable woman that encapsulates our great Australian Spirit, I encourage you to reflect on the ways you too can be gifted by the spirit – what simple acts can you take to make a difference to the lives of those in need?

Compassionate and Loving God, 

We praise you for all that you do in the lives of the Saints. 

You inspired Saint Mary Mackillop 

To listen to your whisperings within her heart  

To trust in your Providence  

To reach out to the most needy  

To forgive even when it was difficult.  

As we journey through life  

We trust that your Spirit will 

Guide our hearts making us more like 

Saint Mary Mackillop in thought, word and action.  

We make our prayer through Jesus who

showed compassion to all in need. 

Amen 

This Sunday’s Gospel Message for Families

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 5 July 2020

(Brisbane Liturgy website)

“They all ate and were satisfied.”

Something to Think About 

This gospel passage reminds us that Jesus feeds us in many ways.
The people in the story are hungry in many ways - hungry to hear Jesus' message, hungry to feel his healing touch, hungry just to be near him. The disciples, as usual, look to Jesus to do everything and to have all the answers.
​Jesus says to the disciples, 'Feed them yourselves'. Miracles do happen and will happen more readily if people work together to bring about the kingdom.

The Story 

In this week’s story, Jesus is looking for some peace and quiet, a place to be alone and take a break. But the crowds follow him everywhere. They will not leave him alone. His reaction to the crowds is not annoyance or anger, but compassion. Instead of sending the people away, Jesus tells the disciples to give them something to eat.

The Scriptures 

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew             14:15-21
​
That evening the disciples came to Jesus and said,
"Let the crowds leave, so they can go to the villages and buy some food."
Jesus replied,
"They don't have to leave. Why don't you give them something to eat?"
But they said, "We have only five small loaves of bread and two fish."
Jesus asked his disciples to bring the food to him, and he told the crowd to sit down on the grass.
Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish.
He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food.
Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples, and they gave it to the people.
After everyone had eaten all they wanted, Jesus' disciples picked up twelve large baskets of leftovers.
There were about five thousand men who ate, not counting the women and children.
          The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Children respond to hunger

A key message in today’s gospel concerns the great generosity of God.
In the end, there was not only enough food for all, but twelve baskets left over.
God's love and care for us is indeed abundant. We are called to love in the same generous and abundant way. When the priest blesses the bread and wine at Mass, they become the body and blood of Christ for us to share in the Eucharistic meal.  Jesus feeds us so that we may feed one another.
 
Think about the ways in which different people 'feed' you and help you to grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. 

Term 3 Masses 

This term we resume hosting our Class Masses in the Church. We look forward to celebrating with the wider Our Lady of the River Parish community.

Aug. 6th    Year 4 Class Mass 9:00am St Mary’s Church 

Aug. 20th  Year 1 and 2 Class Mass 9:00am St Mary’s Church 

Sept. 3rd  Year 6 and 7 Class Mass 9:00am St Mary’s Church 

Sept. 17th  Foundation  and Year 1 Class Mass 9:00am St Mary’s Church 

Special Days

August 8th Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop  

August 15th Feast of the Assumption of Mary – Holy day of obligation 

September 6th Father’s Day       

May God’s peaceful Spirit be with you always,

Rosemary Perre

Religious Education Coordinator.

Witness

The Witness is a bi-monthly publication released every February, April, June, August, October and December, please click the following link to view.

The Southern Cross

Please click on the following link for the latest issue of The Southern Cross.