Feast of the Assumption of Mary – Sunday 15^th August

Yesterday, K-2 led our school mass to celebrate the upcoming Solemnity of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Catholic tradition teaches us that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into Heaven as a reward for her faithfulness. Her life and devotion should be an example for all of us. Thank you to Mrs Lucas and the K-2 children for leading the ministries at the mass and sharing a beautiful Liturgical Reflection at the end of Communion. This made it a very special mass for us all to share in.

This weekend, 15^th August, we affirm our belief that Mary is now in Heaven. This feast of Mary originated in a sixth century feast of the Dormition or ‘Falling asleep of Mary’. By the seventh century the feast became known as the Assumption of Mary. The date of this feast commemorated a very ancient harvest festival towards the end of summer, which gave thanks to the Earth Mother for her fertility in producing the harvest. The feast of the Assumption commemorates the glorification of Mary, chosen by God, to be the mother of Jesus the Christ.

Prayer

Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother.
In the power of the Holy Spirit,

you received the Word of God.
We turn to you today and
every day for guidance, wisdom,
courage and understanding.
We entrust our prayers to you
as we seek your help each day.

Amen

Religious Education in Kinder/1/2

This week K/1/2 have been looking at the differences between society now and when Jesus was alive. The students created a diary detailing some of the important differences they noticed. Topics ranged from places of worship, food and how to gather it, medication and healing, and social engaging. 

Classroom Prayer Tubs

This week our RE Minister, Jemima Mergard, presented all classes with new Prayer Tubs to be utilised during classroom prayer. The tubs contain liturgical cloths (green, white, red, purple), a candle, bible, cross, Prayer Book, Rosary Beads and a copy of the Liturgical Calendar.

Liturgical Colours and Seasons: The colour of the liturgical vestments change from time to time. This is because the Church uses different colours to indicate the season or feast that is being celebrated.

WHITE: White (or gold), since it is a festive, joyful colour, is used during the Christmas and Easter seasons, and on major feast days, such as, on the celebrations of the Lord other than of his Passion, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of the Holy Angels, and of Saints who were not martyrs, and on the Solemnities of All Saints. Because white symbolises the Resurrection, it is also the colour often used for funerals.

PURPLE: Purple (or violet) symbolises repentance and penance. Vestments of purple or violet are used during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

The colour reminds us of the violet flower that bows its head and is a symbol of humility. Lent is the season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a quiet season of reflection. The colour of Advent is more of a rose-purple, like the sky just before sunrise. This is the time of year when the Church waits in joyful hope to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

Purple or violet dye was very expensive. An early Christian, Lydia from Thyatira, made her living from the purple dye trade and was able to support St Paul in his missionary work (Acts 16: 14-15).

GREEN: Green is a sign of life in nature and as such it represents growth, life and hope. Green is the colour worn most often during liturgies in Ordinary Time. It symbolises the graces that draw people into the life of God. Most of the Church's year is Ordinary Time.

RED: Red symbolises both blood and fire. It is the colour that is used on Passion (Palm) Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, and for celebrations of the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is also the colour that has traditionally been associated with martyrs – those who have shed their blood for their faith – and so it is worn on the feast days of martyrs.

Weekend Altar Server Roster

Daily Reading for Sunday

https://www.catholicgallery.org/mass-reading/150821/

Thought of the Week