School Mass for Prep-Grade 2 students and 2025 Preps.
On Friday 22 November, we held a School Mass for the Grade Prep - Year 2s and for the new 2025 Preps. The theme was 'Walking and Growing Together'.
It was a beautiful liturgy and included a wonderful song by the Preps for the Psalm, a beautiful blessing for the teachers and a lovely welcome for the new Preps and their families. They were also given a flower seedling to symbolise the nurturing and growth they will receive at St Columba.
Thank you to all involved and a big thank you to all the families who attended the mass.
Jubilee 2025
Being Pilgrims of Hope in the World
St Mary of the Cross Mackillop used to say: ‘We are but travellers here.’ For the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pope Francis invites us to reflect on what it means to be pilgrims of hope: a people who are not only
travellers here but walking in joyful anticipation of ‘the heavenly goal to which we have been called’ (SNC §25).Pope Francis believes that, in today’s world, hope suffers; that too many people have been robbed by cynicism and despair. During Jubilee 2025, he wants everyone to have ‘an intense experience of the love of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of salvation in Christ’ (SNC §6). Only this hope—born from knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rom 8:35-39)—can breathe life back into weary souls. This hope is not optimism. It is not a forced positivity in the face of hardship and evil. It is a grace from God, a trust in the Lord’s promises: that he is good, that he is merciful, and that we are journeying towards the one who says, ‘Look, I am making everything new’ (Rev 21:5).
The Jubilee 2025 Logo
For this reason, the most striking part of the logo for this jubilee (see at start of this article) is the cross: bending towards humanity and forming an anchor, it depicts the cross as something to cling to, especially in rough seas. It is a contemporary ‘riff’ on an old biblical image. The epistle to the Hebrews describes the hope we have in Christ as ‘an anchor of the soul, as sure as it is firm’ (6:19).The cross is not a dead symbol from the past. It is a living sign of God’s unfathomable love, and one that carries us together in pilgrimage towards heaven.
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On Sunday 24 November, the Archdiocese officially opens the journey towards the Year of Jubilee 2025 and the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) to be held in Melbourne in December 2025 with the Solemn Mass at 11.00 a.m., followed by a festival in the Cathedral grounds from noon-2.00 p.m.
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The 2025 Jubilee will officially open on 24 December 2024, at 7.00 p.m. with a Mass presided over by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square. The rite of the Opening of the Holy Door will follow. In our parish, the Liturgy Committee will consider ways of celebrating Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope.
Spring Festival Celebration
What another fabulous community event and effort. Seventy people attended the Spring Festival held at Sacred Heart Church on Sunday 20 October 2024. Both a social and fundraising event, it raised over $2000 to go towards our three-year scholarship commitment of two Timor-Leste students in a remote part of Timor-Leste.
Heartfelt thanks to Jefferson Almeida Souza, who spearheaded the preparations and to the other members of the social committee, Adrian Cropley, Marita Dalton and Toni Vatta for their tireless efforts. Special thanks to all the fantastic musicians and artists who displayed their talents and entertained us with their beautiful performances. A huge thank you also to the Brazailians and other volunteers who provided and served afternoon tea. Last but certainly not least, thank you to everyone who attended and supported this wonderful fundraising event. You embody the spirit of our parish walking together.
WORLD DAY FOR MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees is observed each year as a time to learn about, listen to, and pray for and with those who have been forced to flee their homeland. Around Australia, many refugees and other migrants who hold temporary visas live in a state of uncertainty and insecurity, unable to obtain work rights or income support.
Safeguarding Sunday 2024
This weekend, the Catholic Church in Australia marks Safeguarding Sunday, on which we pray for those who have been abused, their families and supporters. We recognise and apologise for the harm done by priests, religious and lay people in Church settings. Rebuilding trust and confidence in the Church requires constant work and vigilance. We recommit to cultural change that will help the Church be a place that respects the dignity of all children and adults at risk, and empowers and listens to all people, especially those who are vulnerable.
This year’s theme is “Every Conversation Matters”. Conversations are powerful tools to keep children and young people safe and well. Conversations can help us understand issues, craft solutions, value community knowledge, and build the brains and social connections of children and young people.
Further information and resources are available on our ‘Keeping Our Community Safe’ noticeboards, on our website https://www.shscparish.org.au/keeping-our-community-safe and on the Archdiocese’s Safeguarding website https://melbournecatholic.org/safeguarding
Season of Creation
Each year from 1 September to 4 October, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It is a special season where we celebrate God as Creator and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our well-being is interwoven with the well-being of the Earth. The theme this year is: To hope and act with Creation with the symbol, ‘The firstfruits of hope”, inspired by Romans 8:19-25.
Social Justice Statement 2024 / 2025
Australia’s Catholic bishops say peace is possible if people commit to speaking the truth and redouble efforts to end war.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released the Social Justice Statement for 2024–25, entitled Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World.
Every year, in time for Social Justice Sunday—marked this year on 25 August—the bishops seek to make a substantive comment on a key social issue. This year the focus is on the promotion of peace and the need for truth in public life.
‘Words are never enough to make peace—action is required,’ writes Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in the foreword to the statement.
Eucharist Preparation Mass
Last weekend our Grade 4 children from St Columba's Primary School continued preparations for their Sacrament of Eucharist. We warmly welcomed the children and their families to 6.00p.m. Mass. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.