WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS

The Whole school focus theme for this year is ‘Do small Things with Great Love’ and the Bible reference that supports our theme for Term 2 is Ephesians 5:8, in which St Paul says:

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light,

For the effects pf light are seen in complete goodness
and right living and truth.”

EASTER SEASON

Easter is not just one day. It is a whole season of 50 days which will last until Pentecost. We take even longer to celebrate Easter than we took during Lent to prepare for it. Eastertime is about new life. We rejoice in the new life of Jesus. We rejoice that member of our parish were baptised and confirmed at the Easter Vigil. We rejoice that all of us are nourished by the life of God whenever we share in the Easter Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Easter time is also about light overcoming darkness. At the Easter Vigil, the paschal candle was lit from the Easter fire and carried into the darkened church. The congregation sang 'The light of Christ' and responded, 'Thanks be to God.' This new paschal light will burn brightly for the 50 days of Easter. It is a symbol of the risen Jesus, the ‘Light of the world' whose light was not put out with death but shines now for all believers to see.

The sun rises each morning, bright and strong, and is a constant reminder of the resurrection of Jesus. The sun has always been recognised as a sign of God's warmth, love and life-giving power. Even in these days of autumn as our days are getting shorter, we can still appreciate the warmth of the sun. Often during autumn, we enjoy what we call an 'Indian Summer' with sunny days, clear blue skies and the crisp brightness of the stars at night.

The daily readings during Eastertime are filled with good news. They tell of excited disciples running to tell one another of the risen Jesus, of Jesus travelling along the road to the town of Emmaus and meeting up with two disheartened followers. At first when Jesus joins them, they do not recognise him. But then Jesus opens up the words of the Scriptures to help them understand. Jesus blesses and breaks bread, and he gives it to his disciples to eat. It is only then that they recognise him - they know him because of these familiar actions.

Please keep our Year 6 students at Mother Teresa School and the Parish, as well as their teachers in your prayers as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday 5th & Friday 6^th May at 6:00pm. Fr Mark & Fr Thonn will confirm our Year 6 Confirmation Candidates who have been preparing for this important event over the past 10 weeks.

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^{Year C | Sunday 1st May | white}

The Story

The disciples were great fishermen, but in this story they go fishing all night and catch nothing. Then a stranger appears on the shore. It’s Jesus but they don’t know it yet.  He asks them to let their nets down again. They catch so many fish that they can hardly fit them in the boat. The disciples are so surprised! Then they realise that the man is Jesus and they come ashore to sit around a warm fire and eat bread and fish.

The Scriptures

A reading from the holy gospel according to John                 21:1-14

Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish.

Jesus later appeared to his disciples along the shore of Lake Tiberias. Simon Peter, Thomas the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and the two sons of Zebedee, were there, together with two other disciples. Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing!" The others said, "We'll go with you." They went out in their boat. But they didn't catch a thing that night.

Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise who he was. Jesus shouted, "Friends, have you caught anything?" "No!" they answered.

So he told them, "Let your net down on the right side of your boat, and you will catch some fish."

They did, and the net was so full of fish that they could not drag it up into the boat.

Jesus' favourite disciple told Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Simon heard that it was the Lord, he put on the clothes that he had taken off while he was working. Then he jumped into the water. The boat was only about a hundred yards from shore. So the other disciples stayed in the boat and dragged in the net full of fish.

When the disciples got out of the boat, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it. Jesus told his disciples, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." Simon Peter got back into the boat and dragged the net to shore. In it were one hundred fifty-three large fish, but still the net did not rip.

Jesus said, "Come and eat!" But none of the disciples dared ask who he was. They knew he was the Lord. Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave some of it to his disciples. He did the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from death.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Something to Think About

Jesus saw his friends having trouble catching fish. They were trying so hard but not succeeding.

​Jesus saw a problem and stepped in to help his friends!

How did Jesus help his friends? How can you help your friends? Share about a time you were a good helper.

Peace and Best Wishes

Anne Leet (Religious Education Co-ordinator)