GOSPEL: Mark 14:1-15:47
It was two days before the Password and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by some trick and have him put to death. For they said, 'It must not be during the festivities, or there will be a disturbance among the people.' He was at Bethany in the house of Simon, a man who had suffered from a virulent skin-disease; he was at table when a woman came in with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the ointment on his head. Some who were there said to one another indignantly, 'Why this waste of ointment? Ointment like this could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor'; and they were angry with her. But Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. Why are you upsetting her? What she has done for me is a good work. You have the poor with you always, and you can be kind to them whenever you wish, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could: she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. In truth I tell you, wherever throughout all the world the gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will be told as well, in remembrance of her.' Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, approached the chief priests with an offer to hand Jesus over to them. They were delighted to hear it, and promised to give him money; and he began to look for a way of betraying him when the opportunity should occur. On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to him, 'Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?' So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the city and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and say to the owner of the house which he enters, "The Master says: Where is the room for me to eat the Passover with my disciples?" He will show you a large upper room furnished with couches, all prepared. Make the preparations for us there.'

REFLECTION
Today we hear Mark’s account of Jesus’ passion and death. On Good Friday, the Gospel we will hear is from John’s Gospel. The story is basically the same but each of the authors has a unique perspective of this horrific day. The Passion of Jesus is most likely etched in our hearts and minds!

Most of us will never have to experience what Jesus did. However, we each have had our own version of passion and death experiences. Our death experiences were not what our ultimate death experience will be. However, throughout our lives, there are times when we “die” a bit, and perhaps more than a bit. Perhaps you or a loved one is struggling with illness, divorce, loss of a job, financial problems or the death of a loved one. Or it might be a serious conflict in your family or in the workplace. If you are experiencing emotional pain, most likely loss is an integral part of your pain.

Take a moment and reflect on your life. Remember a time when you experienced a passion or a death? What was that like for you? When you reflect on that time do you re-experience the pain and loss again? What were the emotions that bombarded you? Who supported you? How long did it take for you to recover from that experience? Do you still experience the pain when you remember that time?

Hopefully, much of the pain and emotion of that time has subsided. With time, often there actually may be gifts that you have received from that horrendous experience. Ask yourself: what were the gifts or insights that you received from that time? Perhaps it was something you learned about yourself. Or it may have strengthened your bonds with your family, a friend or even a co-worker. We probably learn more from the painful and challenging situations in life than we do from the good events or situations. However, it can be an excruciating way of learning!

This week we walk with Jesus through the last days of his life. Jesus freely and lovingly gave his life for us. There truly is no greater love! As we journey through this Holy Week, may we ponder the many gifts that Jesus has given us and that he continues to bless us with. What do we give back to Jesus, not because we owe him but rather we give out of love for Jesus? There has never been a greater love! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

PROJECT COMPASSION: AN AUSTRALIAN ICON
For over half a century, generations of Australians have participated in Project Compassion – making it one of the nation’s longest running charity campaigns.

For many, Project Compassion’s iconic collection boxes have become a nostalgic part of their lives since 1965 – a reminder around home, school, church and the community that it’s time to support Caritas Australia’s annual appeal.

Margaret Moriarty can’t remember a time without a Project Compassion box in her house during Lent.

“Donating to poorer counties was very important to my mother and father. My children have grown up with the same iconic boxes in our home and my grandchildren are continuing the tradition,” Margaret says.

Throughout five decades of natural disasters, conflicts and crises, Caritas Australia has worked alongside vulnerable communities with the generous support of Australians. Project Compassion has also helped with access to education, health services, agricultural training and through programs that reduce maternal and infant mortality.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, local partnerships have helped Caritas Australia to respond quickly to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.

This year, Caritas Australia has presented five stories from people striving to ‘Be More’ – just a few stories amongst the millions of people who have been helped through Project Compassion.

We would like to thank generations of our supporters nationwide for their ongoing generosity, which allows us to move forward with lifesaving strategies to tackle new challenges.

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

Thanks to your wonderful generosity, we have currently raised a total of $1060.00

Easter - Holy Week
On Sunday we commenced our Holy Week celebrations with Palm Sunday. Tomorrow Year 3 will lead us in a re-enactment of Holy Thursday at 9am following lines. The school will then travel the Stations of the Cross. As these will be inside, we are unable to accommodate parents due to Covid restrictions. Our Holy Week celebrations will conclude with a Prayer Service prepared by 5/6TD after the Easter holidays.

Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, and his institution of the priesthood. Celebrating this meal as a Passover feast, Jesus shared his final meal with his Disciples in Jerusalem.

This was the night that he was betrayed by Judas, and during the meal he rightly predicted this betrayal. His willingness to face his fate, shows that he was willing to sacrifice himself for the benefit of all mankind.

Known as the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Holy Thursday mass is held in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s last supper. The Eucharist is particularly important in this Mass, for it was during this meal that Christ broke bread with his disciples and utters the words “This is my body, this is my blood” (Mark 14:22-25).

During the feast, Jesus also washed the feet of his 12 apostles, anointing them as his first priests. This humbling gesture is re-enacted during mass. Some parishes may select 12 members to represent the apostles, other parishes may invite all parishioners to take part and have their feet washed.

Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a day of solemn reflection that is shared by most Christians around the world.

During Mass on Good Friday, Christians reflect on the pain and suffering that Jesus had to endure for us. He was flogged, given a crown of thorns, berated, and ridiculed, and made to burden the weight of his cross as he was forced to carry it to the site of his execution.

While not all Christians may abstain from eating meat on Fridays, Good Friday is a day where all practicing Catholics abstain from red meat. Catholics that are 14 years and older, will either eat no meat at all, or limit themselves to only white meat such as fish or chicken.

Holy Saturday Night – Easter Vigil
Those who have been baptized as children, can take their Sacrament of Confirmation during an Easter Vigil that is held on Saturday evening. The vigil can also be held during the hours of darkness, between sunset Saturday, and sunrise Easter Morning. Depending on the region you live, these Confirmations may only be conducted at the stroke of Midnight, as the last rays of sun fade into the night sky, or at the early morning sunrise.

Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday begins for most Catholics by attending the Easter Vigil Midnight Mass. Others begin their Easter Sunday with a morning mass. Following the morning mass, the parish may hold an Easter breakfast for their members. Or they may provide food to the less fortunate.

The average Catholic family will either attend local community events or spend the remainder of the day with loved ones. They may take part in parades, feasts, festivals, or watch live performances. Some of these events can be heavily inspired by the 14 Stations of the Cross, retelling the events of Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion.

Most events however are not traditionally inspired by the Bible directly. Whether it's a secular tradition, uniquely cultural, or based on regional superstitions surrounding good luck; there are many non-biblical traditions that are enjoyed on Easter Sunday.

Happy Easter
However you celebrate Easter this year, I wish you and your family a safe and blessed season as we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice from our saviour. May you have a wonderful break and I look forward to seeing you all again in Term 2.

God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator