School Evangelisation
It is difficult to believe that we are now approaching the year’s half-way point! I hope that this newsletter finds you happy and healthy in this often hectic world.
In a recent homily, Father reminded us of the great comfort in praying to the Holy Spirit and that this distinct person within the Holy Trinity is so often neglected.
I immediately realised that I too had been neglecting the Holy Spirit, and instead regularly prayed to God the Father and God the Son. And I wondered, WHY? Sometimes we just need a prompt!
We are reminded of the great healing power of this essential person, reflecting on (Galatians 5:22-23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Pretty powerful stuff! We are all in need of daily strength, yes? Of the gifts that we can then share with others, yes? Look no further than the Holy Spirit!
I explained this to my students using a real world example- from my own recent experience- to show them the absolute joy and comfort that belief and faith can bring them. Allowing “space” in your heart, being quiet and still to welcome the gifts that are waiting for us. Our days are filled with noise and so let’s focus on creating moments of stillness.
Bishop Greg’s Homily this week, observing Corpus Christi , reiterates the importance of “being alone” with God, and the centrality of taking “Communion” as the heart of being Catholic: “ for ONE moment in the week or the day, spend time quietly alone with Him”, acknowledging the joy and solace of being part of something so powerfully nourishing, something that unites us as a community: the Holy Eucharist.
Friday, 16 June: The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Benedict XVI wrote: “By encouraging devotion to the Heart of Jesus, [we exhort] believers to open themselves to the mystery of God and of his love and to allow themselves to be transformed by it. After 50 years, it is still a fitting task for Christians to continue to deepen their relationship with the Heart of Jesus, in such a way as to revive their faith in the saving love of God and to welcome Him ever better into their lives. Catholic Culture
Please follow our SJPC Youth Ministry Instagram account for announcements and student opportunities:
MASS TIMES |
COFFS HARBOUR PARISH |
| St Augustine's Church |
Saturday: 5:30pm |
| Woolgoolga St Francis Xavier's Church | Sunday 9:00am |
| Coramba St Therese's Church | Sunday 10:30am |
| St John Paul College Chapel | Tuesday 9.15am (school term only) |
| Coffs Harbour Reconciliation | Saturday - after 9am Mass |
| Woolgoolga Reconciliation | Sunday, before Mass |
SAWTELL PARISH |
| Mary Help of Christians Church | Saturday 6:00 pm Sunday 7:30am & 9:00am Tuesday 9:30 am Wednesday 9:30 am (OLOW Chapel) Thursday 5:00 pm Friday 9:30am |
| Reconciliation | Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm or on request |
Leader of School Evangelisation