REC Update – W2 – T1

Sacramental Programs 2023

Please see below the Sacramental Program schedule for 2023. Please note these dates are subject to change. Should you have any enquiries about the Sacramental Program please contact the Parish Office by phone on 42741192 or via email at portkembla@dow.org.au

Spiritual Reflection
Please see below a spiritual reflection as shared with all staff of the Catholic Diocese of
Wollongong:

The Beatitudes… A Call to Action

The gospel passage we were commissioned with this week is the well-known Beatitudes. In Matthew’s gospel, it is placed early in Jesus’ public ministry outlining the qualities God desires for us to embrace, the way we are blessed. These are:
 1. wisdom (poor in spirit)
 2. empathy (those who mourn)
 3. humility (the meek)
 4. justice (those who hunger for righteousness)
 5. mercy (the merciful)
 6. service (the pure in heart)
 7.peace (the peacemakers)
 8.courage (those who are persecuted for righteousness)

We acknowledge that as people who live in hope and relationship with God, we strive to reach these ideals both for ourselves and for all people. There is an inherent co-mission in this discourse - how will each of us respond to our neighbour so that the reign of God is realised through our presence and actions?

Where am I called to be wise and courageous?
What spiritual practices do I embrace to grow in wisdom?
How am I empathetic and merciful to those I encounter?
Where do I hear and see the cries for justice and peace?
How does my humility allow me to serve and respond?
When you next pray in the words that Jesus gave us, commit yourself to help construct a society where the beatitudes are realised:
‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’

All the best,
Mr Sam Mattas