Gospel Focus – Luke 16:19–31

This week’s Gospel tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived in comfort while Lazarus, a poor man, sat at his gate longing for food. When they both died, Lazarus was welcomed into heaven, while the rich man was left in suffering.

Jesus reminds us that God calls us to notice the needs of others and respond with compassion. True discipleship means using what we have - our time, talents, and treasures - to care for those who are struggling. This will be our focus during the month of October as we raise awareness and funds for Catholic Missions.

Classroom Connections

• Students have been learning about fairness, justice, and kindness in everyday life.
• Classes reflected on the importance of seeing the dignity of every person, especially the poor and those on the margins.
• Activities included storytelling, prayer, and role plays exploring how we can be “good neighbours” in our own school community.
• We also acknowledge that the Season of Creation is drawing to a close. This special time in the Church’s calendar reminds us of our responsibility to care for the earth, our common home. As we finish this season, celebrating the feast of St Francis of Assisi, may we continue to make choices that protect creation and honour God’s gift of life.

 Faith in Action

• Students are encouraged to practice simple acts of service over the break —sharing with others, including someone who feels left out, or donating to those in need.
• As a school, we are reminded to be a community of generosity, living out the Gospel message of love and justice.

Prayer

Loving God,
Open our eyes to see those in need,
Open our ears to hear their cries,
And open our hearts to respond with compassion and love.
Help us to live as true disciples of Jesus.

Amen.

Why do we celebrate the Eucharist?

For Catholics, the sacrament of the Eucharist, the sacred meal whereby we break bread and share the one cup, is the paramount sign of our unity with and in Christ. It has been described as the source and summit of the Church’s life. When we receive the Eucharist, we believe that we receive Jesus in an extraordinarily intimate way: we take him into our very beings in the form of food and drink. In doing so, we remember the way he died for us and rose again to lead us into eternal life. The Eucharist not only commemorates past events, it draws us into the mystery of Christ in the here and now and ultimately towards our eternal life with God.

First Holy Communion classes will begin at the start of Term 4.