Sunday’s Gospel, John 6:1-15, tells a story of compassion and generosity when Jesus takes care of the needs of his followers who had walked many miles to listen to him.  Jesus asked his disciples where he could buy some bread to feed the crowd but he and his disciples did not have enough money to feed them.  Through the generosity of a small boy with five loaves and two fish, Jesus was able to transform the food to feed everybody.  He took the bread and gave  thanks to God, blessed the food before sharing it just as the priest does every week with the Eucharist at Sunday Mass.

This week at Holy Spirit we value gratitude.  Gratitude is one of the 4 Resilience Project principles where they describe gratitude as paying attention to the things that we have right now and not worrying about the many things we don’t have.  An important aspect of gratitude is noticing the positive that exist around us.  People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better and are known to express more compassion and kindness towards others.  This week we pray that we notice good things, look for and appreciate them.

Next Monday, July 26th, we remember the parents of Mary.  While they

are not mentioned in the Gospels, tradition holds, on the grounds of very old testimonies, that Saints Joachim and Ann were the father and mother of Mary, the Mother of God.  Pope Francis has proclaimed the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July each year – July 25 this year.  It is marked near the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.  

Next week we celebrate Catholic Education Week.  This year’s theme is ‘A Spirited Tomorrow’.  This theme acknowledges the long tradition of Catholic education and its continued relevance in preparing students for the future.  The theme also references the work of the Plenary Council in discerning the way forward for the Church in Australia.  

God bless

Caroline Fuller