St Matthew’s Primary School - Page
PDF Details

Newsletter QR Code

Stutchbury St
Page ACT 2614
Subscribe: https://stmattsps.act.edu.au/subscribe

Email: office.stmatts@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6254 2653

Good News (REC)

Sundays Gospel Luke 18:9-14 Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee who prayed from his self-importance and the tax collector who prayed humbly. 
Background on the Gospel Reading
The second parable that Jesus tells in Luke 18 addresses attitude in prayer. In contrasting the prayer of the Pharisee with the prayer of the tax collector, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray in humility before God. Jesus again surprises his listeners by showing the tax collector as the example of faith, rather than the Pharisee. Remember that Pharisees were members of a sect of Judaism active in Jesus' time. If anyone would be a model for prayer, a Pharisee was a likely candidate. In contrast, Jesus offers the tax collector as a model for prayer. Tax collectors were collaborators with the Roman authorities in a system that allowed the tax collectors to line their own pockets by charging in excess of the defined taxes. Yet, in this parable, Jesus offers the humility of the tax collector as a model for the prayer of a disciple. The parable reminds us that when we pray, we must remember our need for God in our lives. If we are too full of ourselves, there is too little room for God's grace to work in us. 
Family Connection
In the family, one sometimes observes a level of competition between children for parent attention, for acknowledgement of their abilities. Somehow, children seem to internalize that the attention given to one member of the family diminishes the attention given to another. In this way, children can often sound like the Pharisee in Jesus' parable. Parents who provide continual reminders to their children that they are loved for who they are, not for what they do, help children develop a healthy spirituality.As a family, talk about what it means to compare oneself to another. Discuss whether it is helpful to compare oneself to another. In what ways might this be positive? (when it motivates one to use one's talents) In what circumstances might this be unhelpful? (when it proves discouraging, when it prevents one from valuing the abilities of another)As a family, read today's Gospel, Luke 18:9-14. Discuss: What was wrong about the prayer of the Pharisee? How can we emulate the prayer of the tax collector?Pray together as a family in thanksgiving for the blessing that is each member of your family. Pray in thanksgiving that God's love for us is unconditional.

 

Picture7.jpg
Picture3.jpg

This October, we are celebrating World Mission Month, a month dedicated to the life-giving work of missionaries around the world.

This year, we walk hand-in-hand with the Church of Ethiopia and the local communities towards providing life-changing opportunities to those most in need.

The money we raise through Crazy Hair Day will go towards supporting a range of mission development programs in Ethiopia addressing malnutrition, the lack of access to education for young children, and the vulnerable position of women in society.

Students are invited to come to school with wild, creative, and cool hairstyles and bring in a gold coin donation for our fundraiser.

 

What: Crazy Hair Day

When: Friday 21 October, Week 2

Why: To raise money for Catholic Mission Australia

Bring: A gold coin donation

Picture5.jpg
Picture8.jpg
November ~ Remembrance Month For the month of November, during whole school morning prayer, we would like to acknowledge and pray for all those loved ones who have gone before us. If you would like us to pray for someone in your family, please fill out their first and last name in the document linked here.
God Bless
Lousia Vance
Religious Education Co-Ordinator