Our Year 5 students had a great time at camp this week. It was great to see students heading off for the first overnight trip since 2019. Let’s hope we can re-establish this culture for both our Year 5 and 6 students going ahead.

As we move closer to the final weeks of the Term, we have many events scheduled, including our Year 6 Camp and Farewell Celebrations, Giving Mass, Community Day, and of course Awards Ceremony. St Joseph’s remains a very busy place and looks like it will remain that way up until the last day of the Year, Wednesday 14th December.

Learning for our children remains focused on reaching outcomes, and won’t slow down until the end of Week 9, after which children will be able to let their hair down and enjoy our journey into the Christmas Season.

As always, I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning.

Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay

GOSPEL REFLECTION

 - Difficulty of Acceptance

This weekend we come to the end of the Liturgical Year, Year C in the cycle of readings, and as always at the end of each year, we celebrate the feast of, “Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.”

The image of Kingdom that Jesus portrays for us is not one identified with any earthly image of royalty. Rather, it is more than quite the opposite. The Christian image of Kingdom portrayed in today’s Reading is the Cross, with the crucified Jesus hanging on it, seemingly alone, broken and defeated. But in that brokenness, we find the true nature of his Kingdom and what his reign proclaims.

The first reading from Samuel also projects a royal theme as David is anointed as King of Israel and charged with shepherding the people of Israel. And that image of the Shepherd was used many times by Jesus to teach us that God’s Kingdom was not about traditional leadership and rule, but rather it was about a leadership of service, of care and concern. It was about good shepherding.

In the verse preceding today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus, as he is nailed to the cross says, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” At what must have been a time of immense fear, pain and uncertainty for him, Jesus was other centred and forgiving of others, including those who were persecuting him. This compassion was also shown to another crucified with him. A criminal who had broken the law, suffering the same fate as Jesus, and recognising Jesus as Lord in that moment. And with his repentance and acceptance of Jesus, he is welcomed into the Kingdom of God.

So, is there a message, a challenge in this for Vincentians? Yes, I think there is. To follow Jesus and share in his ministry we need to be accepting of others and not be judgemental. We need to take them where they are at in life, accept them and shepherd them with what they need when you meet them. Some will challenge you, so forgive. Some will abuse you, so forgive. Some will try to fool you, so forgive. Be the Good Shepherd in Jesus’ place and care for those who you assist.

(Reflection by Greg Ryan)

Remember the people you assist that challenge you and pray for them.

PRAYER

Lord, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen