Sacraments
This weekend many of our Year 3 students will be making the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. As a school community we pray that through  the Sacrament of First Reconciliation these children discover the peace and the amazing love of God’s forgiveness.

Reconciliation Home Program: This weekend when you come to your First Reconciliation bring your Reconciled Heart activity.

Season of Lent
Gospel Reading John 8:1-11

This week’s Gospel begins by reporting that Jesus is again teaching the crowds in the vicinity of the Temple. The scribes and the Pharisees approach Jesus, bringing a woman who has been caught in the act of adultery. They put to Jesus the question of what ought to be done in this case.The Pharisees state clearly that according to the Law of Moses, those caught in the act of adultery were to be stoned to death. Under Roman occupation, however, the Jewish people did not have the authority to execute people. To answer the Pharisees' question, Jesus must propose an action that will be either contrary to the Law of Moses or contrary to Roman law. Jesus avoids the trap, however, by offering an answer that was not anticipated by those who posed the question. Jesus, after writing on the ground with his finger, addresses those who stand before him and suggests that the one without sin cast the first stone.

Jesus' response to those who accuse the woman is more than a caution to us about making judgment of others. It is a profound lesson in divine mercy and forgiveness. As sinners, we are all unworthy to judge the sins of others and we would stand convicted by God for our transgressions.

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Father in heaven,

Your love calls us to life.

Change our anger to kindness and teach us self-control.

Amen.

Did you know?
We communicate in many ways without words. In our relationship with God, we use signs to express the mystery of God’s loving presence. Some community rituals in our Church are particularly sacred and mark the stages of a person’s life as a member of the Church. We call these sacraments signs or symbols that ‘make present’ the reality of God’s love.

School Mass: Year 3/4 Blue
This Friday (5th April) Year 3/4 Blue we will be leading our school in celebrating Mass (10:00am). Families are warmly invited to join us for this liturgical celebration. Morning tea will be provided by the families of students in Year 3/4 Blue. Parents are invited to stay after Mass for morning tea and a chat with Staff in the Library. Parents of the hosting class are welcome to bring their child along to the morning tea.

Chocolate this Easter
Are you buying ethically made chocolate?
It is easy to get swept away in all the delicious varieties of chocolate eggs at Easter time. But there is a darker side to chocolate involving human trafficking and child labour. To learn more about this social justice issue and to see where you can buy chocolate that uses 100% certified slave-free cocoabeans please visit http://stopthetraffik.com.au/chocolate  

This website also includes a fascinating report called  ‘A Matter of Taste’ which examines what the six biggest chocolate companies are doing to prevent human trafficking and child labour in the cocoa farms of West Africa.

Community Meals Program

The Community Meals freezer is one way we can assist families who are experiencing hardship. If you are able to cook a meal, please use disposable containers and label with ingredients and date. All meal donations can be brought to the Front Office. If your family requires temporary meal assistance, you can speak in confidence to any of our staff members.

Natalie Wright

Religious Education Coordinator

Natalie.zarb@cg.catholic.edu.au