Religious Education
Baptism Program for School Aged Children
Have you ever thought about Baptism for your school aged child?
An invitation is extended to parents who desire Catholic Baptism for children of school age to attend our Older Baptism Program. The program consists of two parent/child workshops, held on Tuesday, 26th August and Tuesday, 2nd September in the Marian Room in Warragul (enter car park from Bowen Street).
Each session will begin with an afternoon tea at 3:45pm.
When families have attended these two sessions, parents will need to attend a parent session to book a time for Baptism.
For more information, please contact Liz via email: warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au or phone: 5623 1642.
Children's Liturgy
A message from Deacon Mark
God Figured Out
Jesus is asked in today’s gospel (Luke 13:22-30) “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He doesn’t directly answer this impertinent question and his response, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate,’ needs some un-packing. Entering by the narrow door might suggest that only an elite group can be saved, as some Christians over the centuries have chosen to interpret the passage. Jesus’ life and mission, his teaching of God’s unfathomable goodness, forgiveness and the salvation offered to all, says otherwise.
“Sinners are filled with joy to hear him speak of God’s unfathomable goodness: even they can hope for salvation. In the Pharisee camp, however, they criticize his message and also his welcoming of tax-collectors, prostitutes and sinners: isn’t Jesus opening up a road to the watering-down of religion and to unacceptable morals?” [Pagola, 2016]
In order to correctly understand the invitation to «enter by the narrow door» we need to remember Jesus’ words that we read in John’s Gospel: «I am the door; the one who enters through me, will be saved» (John 10:9). So, far from watering down or inviting laxity, Jesus’ mission has been to point to the Father and to himself as the means to the Father. Relationship is everything: Jesus’ relationship with the Father and our relationship with the Father through Jesus.
Whilst assuring us of the boundless love of our merciful father, Jesus demands greater rather than lower standards. He calls us to «Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate»; «Don’t judge and you will not be judged»; «Forgive seventy times seven»; «Seek God’s Reign and God’s justice». Particularly he warns against those who figure they are an elect or elite who tick all the boxes, so they are the winners and everybody else is damned.
No one owns or controls God, and we are on shaky ground when we claim to have God figured out.
Deacon Mark Kelly