In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who decided to build bigger and better barns because he had had a bountiful harvest and could not fit all the crops into his barns to be stored (Luke 12:13-21).  If he had been a kind and generous man, he could have used the extra food to make life easier for those in need.  This is a reminder to all that money and riches may not make us ‘rich’ in the eyes of God.

This week at Holy Spirit we value obedience.  Obedience in simple terms, is the ability to comply with an order, request or rule.  At times, students talk about the unfairness of incidents that have happened, of others not following the rules.  It is sometimes difficult for students to be mindful of rules and try to abide by them.  A resolution to ensure there is a fair outcome for all parties is sought, keeping in mind the rules that needed to be followed.  We pray that our students pay attention to what is right, to what others have to say, therefore showing respect for others and understanding what is expected of them. 

Tomorrow is the Feast day of St Mary of the Cross, Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop.  Mary Helen MacKillop was born in Fitzroy, Melbourne on January 15, 1842.  Together with Fr Tenison Woods, Mary founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph in 1867, an Order dedicated to the education of poor children.  Mary faced many challenges.  By 1891, there were three hundred sisters working in nine dioceses in Australia and New Zealand.  An ordinary Australian woman, yet a woman of heroic holiness, goodness, warmth and determination, Mary died on August 8, 1909.  On October 17, 2010 Mary MacKillop, Saint Mary of the Cross, was declared a Saint by Pope Benedict XVI.  One of her best known sayings is ‘Never see a need without doing something about it!’

God bless.

Caroline Fuller