Sunday, February 6, 2022

Gospel Reading

Luke 5:1-11

The fishermen (Simon, James, and John) leave their fishing boats and follow Jesus.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Last Sunday, we heard how Jesus was rejected in his hometown of Nazareth. In the verses that follow, Jesus travels to the town of Capernaum and begins his ministry of teaching and healing. While in Capernaum, Jesus cures a man possessed with a demon and heals Simon's mother-in-law. After spending some time there, Jesus prepares to preach in other places. The fact that Jesus had previously been in Simon's home and healed his mother-in-law suggests that this encounter is not the first between Jesus and Simon Peter. We can read today's Gospel, therefore, as a description of the developing relationship between Jesus and Simon Peter.

In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches from Simon's boat. Jesus turns to Simon and instructs him about where to lower the fishing nets. Simon and others have been fishing throughout the night and have not caught anything. Simon protests, claiming that such an effort would be futile. Simon ultimately obeys Jesus and lowers his nets into the deeper water as directed. Notice here that Peter calls Jesus by the title “master.” He already recognizes Jesus as a person of authority. They catch so many fish that the nets begin to tear; Jesus' presence has created abundance out of scarcity, just as it did at the wedding feast at Cana, which we heard at Mass just a few weeks ago.

Simon Peter becomes a follower of Jesus immediately. He calls Jesus “Lord”—the title given to Jesus after his Resurrection—and protests his worthiness to be in Jesus' presence. Today's Gospel, therefore, marks a turning point in the relationship between Jesus and Peter.

Two of Simon's partners are also named as witnesses to the event described in today's Gospel: Zebedee's sons, James and John. Yet Jesus' words are addressed only to Simon. Jesus gives Simon a new job, telling him that he will become a different kind of fisherman. No longer will he catch fish; instead he will catch people. In these words, we hear the beginning of the leadership role that Peter will have within the community of disciples. Peter was chosen for this role. His task will be to bring others to Jesus. Already he is doing so; the Gospel tells us that all the fishermen with Peter also left their nets and followed Jesus.

We continue to speak of Peter's leadership and influence in the Church today when we call the pope the “successor of Peter.” We participate in the mission of the Church when we bring people to Christ through the example and positive influence of our lives.

A very warm welcome back to 2022.

We are very proud of our school’s Catholic Special Character and our school’s charism which we have been so fortunate to inherit from our very much loved and respected Cluny Sisters.

Our Board and staff are very committed to upholding our Special Character and nurturing your child’s faith formation.

It is a privilege for me to be helping lead the Special Character and Religious Education once again at St Mary’s School while our present DRS Teresa Rush is acting Principal at St Joseph’s Waihi.

I was DRS here at St Mary’s for many years before I retired in 2015. It was a role I loved and felt very passionate about and still do. To be part of a child’s faith development is a gift.

Masses & Liturgies

Sadly because of the Covid restrictions it is not possible to have parents join us for these very special and important celebrations. Each week the students have an online liturgy in their classrooms and Masses just for the students and their teachers will continue in our beautiful Cluny Chapel here at school.We are very grateful to Fathers Philip and Arnold who will be saying these Masses for us.

We hope and pray that it won’t be too long before you can join us once again for these. It means so much for your children to have you present and share these sacred times with them.

Religious Education

The main focus for the next couple of weeks is teaching your children about and how to pray.

Our key role as educators in a Catholic school is for your child to come to know and love Christ and develop a personal relationship with him. The most effective way to do this as you know is through prayer.

In these very uncertain and challenging times to give your children the language and the tool of prayer becomes even more important to help equip them for the journey of life ahead.

Our school day begins and ends with prayer and grace said before lunch.

Students will be learning the traditional Catholic prayers and be exposed to a variety of ways to pray.

I encourage you to talk to your child/children about this .I know many families do but it would be wonderful for you to find time to pray together as a family.

If you have any queries about our Special Character or Religious Education I am very happy to help .

In the meantime take care and God bless

Sally Washer

Today our children met Mātua Jon. Mātua Jon will teach Te Reo Māori and Tikanga across the school every Wednesday. Mātua Jon will also run a junior kapa haka roopu for children in Years 0-3.

Mātua Jon shared his pepeha with us during his class visits today,

Ko Tainui te waka,

Ko Maungatautiri te maunga,

Ko Waikato te awa,

Ko Raukawa tōku iwi,

Ko Mātua Jon tōku ingoa.

No reira tēna koutou tēna koutou tēna koutou katoa.

Senior Kapa Haka

On Monday afternoons Mātua Mana will continue to take our Senior Kapa Haka roopu. This group will begin their sessions next week.

Ngā mihi nui

Lisa Broadmore

Welcome to, what looks like, another topsy-turvy school year for our children. Our PTA has always had the goal of fostering a vibrant and interactive community spirit within the school by providing a supportive and proactive link between families and school. We organise events (when possible) and fundraisers to raise money to provide our children with better learning opportunities, resources and facilities.

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, 15 February in the staff room and everyone is welcome! We’ll be there from 7pm if you would like to come mix-and-mingle first, the meeting will begin at 7:30pm and conclude at 8:30pm.

I’m Katie Radley, the new Chairperson (middle), and beside me at the helm is Lisa Chan, our treasurer (left) and Sarah Neeley, our secretary (right). We are parents just like you – juggling work, family and school life. The PTA is a great way to have your voice heard, stay connected with what’s happening, share your ideas and to meet other like-minded parents. We hope to see you at the meetings!

Important:

· At Red level, we will be required to sign in and wear masks at the meetings.

· Meetings going forward will be held on the second Tuesday of every month (same time, same place)

· Follow the PTA Facebook page to stay up-to-date: www.facebook.com/stmarystgapta.

Katie Radley, PTA Chairperson

Sushi is supplied by K Sushi on Cameron Road. Order forms are available at the school office. Orders, including money must be received at the office no later than 9am on Thursday morning n for a Thursday lunch order. Sushi $6.50. Small drink $1.50.