GOSPEL:  John 3:14-21
As Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be judged; but whoever does not believe is judged already, because that person does not believe in the Name of God's only Son. And the judgement is this: though the light has come into the world people have preferred darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, to prevent his actions from being shown up; but whoever does the truth comes out into the light, so that what he is doing may plainly appear as done in God.'


REFLECTION
The main characters in this Sunday’s Gospel are Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus had heard many stories about Jesus and also about the message he was preaching. Nicodemus was determined to listen to Jesus preach. Jesus taught with an authority that Nicodemus had never experienced in his life. Also, there was a quality of strength and integrity in Jesus that other preachers and prophets had not had. Nicodemus was determined to hear Jesus preach and speak and hopefully, to also talk with him. 

However, Nicodemus also was concerned about what his fellow members of the Sanhedrin might say about him, if they found out that he had been listening to and talking with Jesus. The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish council and it wielded an enormous amount of power. The Sanhedrin had many written as well as a good number of unwritten rules regarding the behaviour of the members of the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus had no doubt that if he was seen talking with Jesus, most likely he would fall into disfavour with the Sanhedrin. However, Nicodemus decided to take this chance.

Nicodemus came up with a simple plan: he would go and see Jesus after darkness had fallen. When Nicodemus found Jesus, he approached him and said to him: “You are like no other teacher who has been sent from God.” Jesus then began to teach Nicodemus. He told Nicodemus and all who were listening that in the future he would be “lifted up.” He also told them that anyone who believed in him would gain eternal life!

If someone well known or famous came to you and told you that s/he would be “lifted up,” what would you think? Would you wonder if they were a bit off their rocker? Or would you take them seriously? However, Jesus had an authenticity and authority about him that the Pharisees simply did not have. Jesus did not just preach, his message came straight from his heart. Yes, his teaching was powerful but it also touched the people’s hearts. Many people experienced Jesus’ authenticity and they believed in Jesus and in his words.

Jesus was (and is) the “light” that came into this world! And even though darkness ruled and eventually killed him, His light still shines brightly! Do we experience Jesus’ “light” in our lives? Do we look for His presence, his message, his care, his love? We all have a “Nicodemus” within us who yearns to personally experience Jesus and his message. We long to be in his presence and experience his light and love!

Today and every day, Jesus is waiting for us to come, desiring that we listen to him and simply be with him! Today will we be like Nicodemus? Today, will we also seek Jesus out? Today may we open our eyes, hearts and minds to the reality of Jesus’ presence! He is with us! We just have to have open minds and hearts and notice his presence with us! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

PROJECT COMPASSION: ARSAD FROM INDONESIA
Arsad, an Indonesian farmer, had no toilet in his home, so he had to walk into the forest to the open defecation area, even at night or in the rain.

Around 17 percent of Indonesia’s rural population practice open defecation , with many unaware that it contributes to spreading diseases. 

Arsad’s family was often sick and open defecation caused neighbourhood disputes. With the support of Caritas Australia and its partner, Laz Harfa, he took part in hygiene, sanitation and financial management training. He decided to fund the building of a toilet in his house and facilitated others in his neighbourhood to save up for toilets.

Now, Arsad and his family are healthier and have reduced their medical expenses. Their community no longer practices open defecation and is more harmonious. A community event, called ‘Declaration of Open Defecation-Free’ was even held to acknowledge their achievements.

Improved hygiene practices helped Arsad’s community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caritas Australia, through Laz Harfa, also shared prevention measures and distributing soap and masks.

Arsad has inspired his neighbourhood to ‘Be More’.

“We help each other, the ‘togetherness’ is growing. Our solidarity had increased,” Arsad says.

Please remember to send in your donations for Project Compassion and help make the world a fairer place for all. Let us be more!

ST PATRICK'S DAY
Today our school celebrated St Patrick's Day with a beautiful Prayer Service presented by 4SS. 

Catholics around the world celebrate St Patrick's Day on March 17th. St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of overcoming all the ways that evil has tried to take you down and praying for even the people who seek to hurt you.

St. Patrick was a brave man who returned to Ireland, where he had been kept as a slave, to help convert the people of Ireland to Christianity from paganism. He lived with constant danger to his life. Legend has it he drove away the snakes of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. [http://www.catholicdigest.com)

We celebrate this special day at Mt Carmel as we have a special history with the Sisters of Mercy, who came to Yass from Ireland. This year all students wore green for a gold coin donation, which will be donated to Project Compassion. In addition to this, Stage 3 organised a cupcake stall to also raise funds for Project Compassion. We thank everyone for their contributions today and for using this special day to support such a worthy charity.

God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator