Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 18:9-14) tells the story of the sinner who sat in the back of the Temple beating his breast while seeking mercy and the Pharisee who sat up in front reminding God what an impressive and holy person he was. The two men behaved very differently in the temple that day. The Pharisee was proud and thought he was better than other people but the tax collector knew that he wasn't better than other people and that only God could give him the forgiveness and mercy he needed. We encourage our students to care for others and try not to judge others just because they do things differently or have different skills; to try to treat all people with respect and show compassion to those in need.

This week at Holy Spirit we value compassion. What does this mean? It means sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Compassion gives us the ability to understand someone else's situation and the desire to take action to improve their lives. It is the quality that allows us to step outside of ourselves and see the circumstances of others. It supplies the will power to do what is necessary to make the world a more caring place. What better way can our community show compassion? By supporting Catholic Missions and their good work. On Friday 4th November (Week 5), our school will hold the Mini Fete where proceeds go to Catholic Missions. Information will be shared closer to the date.

ST JOHN PAUL II (Feast Day 22nd October): (1920–2005) The first Polish Pope, John Paul II, was head of the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005. John Paul II made extraordinary efforts to reach out to people around the world, to both Roman Catholics and those of other faiths. He loved young people and started World Youth Day so youth from all over the world could meet every few years in faith and carry home the message received there to be Christ’s light to the world. ‘I imagined a powerful moment in which the young people of the world could meet Christ, who is eternally young, and could learn from him how to be bearers of the Gospel to other young people.’  I have been fortunate to attend two WYD’s and be part of these extraordinary spiritual events and meet many people from around the world, gathered as one.

Prayer to St John Paul II (adapted)

Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing!

Bless the church that you loved and served and guided,

courageously leading it along the paths of the world

in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus.

Bless the young, who were your great passion.

Help them dream again, help them look up high again

to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.

May you bless families, bless each family!

St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family

and every life that blossoms from the family.

Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice.

You tackled war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love:

pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.

Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window,

where we see you next to Mary,

send God's blessing down upon us all.

Amen.

God bless.

Caroline Fuller