Newsletter
St Mary's Catholic School 28 July 2021 - Term 3 Week 1
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Sunday, July 25, 2021
Gospel Reading
John 6:1-15
Jesus feeds the crowd of more than five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Through most of Lectionary Cycle B, our Sunday Gospel readings are taken from the Gospel of Mark. Over the past two Sundays, we heard how Jesus sent his disciples to share in his mission. If we were to continue reading Mark's Gospel, we would next hear his report of how Jesus feeds the crowds in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Our Lectionary, however, leaves Mark’s Gospel for the next several weeks and instead presents this event from the Gospel of John. In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and the fishes is presented as a sign of his authority and divinity. Jesus interprets the meaning and significance of this miracle as a sharing of his Body and Blood. This chapter is sometimes called the “Bread of Life Discourse.”
In many important ways, John’s Gospel uses the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to teach about the Eucharist. Like the Last Supper, this miracle is said to have occurred near the time of the Jewish feast of Passover. (In John’s Gospel three Passovers are identified.) Jesus’ language is similar to the language he used at the Last Supper as reported in the Synoptic Gospels. John’s description of this event also anticipates the Messianic banquet of heaven, as the crowd reclines and all hungers are satisfied with abundance. This connection is further amplified by the response of the crowd, who wants to make Jesus a king. John is teaching us that each time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are anticipating the eternal banquet of heaven.
Recall that John’s Gospel tells the story of the Last Supper differently than the Synoptic Gospels. Instead of describing the meal and Jesus’ actions with the bread and cup, John describes how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. We hear this Gospel when we remember the Last Supper on Holy Thursday. This recollection of Jesus’ action at the Last Supper complements the institution narrative of the Synoptic Gospels and Paul’s Letters that we hear repeated at each Mass.
In both stories about the Eucharist—the washing of the disciples’ feet and the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes—the Gospel of John teaches us that the Eucharist is an action. Our word Eucharist is taken from the Greek language and describes an action: “to give thanks.” In the Eucharist we are fed by Jesus himself, and we are sent to serve others.
John’s Gospel notes the detail that the bread blessed and shared with the crowd are barley loaves. This is the food of the poor. It reminds us that God feeds and nourishes us, fulfilling our physical needs as well as our spiritual ones. In the Eucharist, we are sent to serve the poorest among us.
The story of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes recalls a particular aspect of the Mass. In this miracle, Jesus transforms a young boy’s offering of five barley loaves and two fish. In the offertory at Mass, we present the fruits of our labours, represented by bread and wine. These gifts, given to us first by God as grain and fruit, are returned to God in our offering of thanksgiving. God in turn transforms our gifts, making this bread and wine the very Body and Blood of Jesus. We also offer ourselves in this exchange, and we, too, are transformed by the Eucharist.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
Tihei mauri ora, nau mai, haere mai, tena koutou katoa, E nga whanau, e nga kaiako, e nga tamariki, e nga manuhiri, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
Welcome back to Term 3. A warm welcome to our new students who have started this Term, and their families to our St Marys community.
Teacher Only Day - Parent / Teacher Conferences
As we have stated in previous newsletters we will be having a Teacher Only Day on Wednesday 11th August. This will also coincide with parent/teacher conferences. There is no school for the children and no after school care run on this day.
The purpose of these conferences is to share the learning stories and data from Term 2. You will have seen on HERO that goals and learning stories have been added by your child's teacher. You will have a good 15 minutes with your child's teacher to discuss the learning. We also know that the system has its quirks and if you would like at any time during the day before or after your interview to discuss these, Mrs Broadmore and I will be in the staffroom to answer any questions you may have.
Book your conference time at www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and using the event code s9p2h, or use the link below.
Raising Concerns
A reminder if you have concerns, it is imperative that you speak with your child's teacher first. After that if you feel you need to go to the team leader then please do so. Mrs Broadmore and I will support the school and families once they have been through these channels. We must role model good behaviours to our children and follow the processes.
Newsletters
Our newsletter will come out on a Wednesday every second week. It has a significant amount of information, alongside our website, so please make yourself familiar with it. Our new website looks great and can be translated into many different languages as can the newsletter. Please make sure you check this regularly.
It certainly is great to see the children back refreshed.
Financial concerns
If you have any financial concerns or worries with payments please make sure you contact Karen or myself. We can support the Diocesan fees by helping you complete the forms to support payments as well.
Ngā mihi nui
James Murray
CATHOLIC CHARACTER
Welcome to term 3
An exciting term ahead for our Catholic school. Major events include, Grandparents/Grandfriends liturgy, Assumption Mass, New Families liturgy and Catholic Schools Day. We thank you for your continued support of our Catholic Character and Religious Education programme.
Baptism course
Next week Mrs Rush will be preparing some students for Baptism on behalf of the parish. Please keep these students in your prayers.
If you would like to find out more about Baptism please contact Margie Cooper in the Church office. 07 5786209
Religious Education Term 3
This term our value focus is : Mercy/ Aroha
Sowing seeds of mercy and compassion
Week 1: Jesus is merciful
Week 2: We show mercy to others
Week 3: We show compassion in our words and actions
Pope Francis Prayer for August
Let us pray for the Church, that She may receive from the Holy Spirit the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the Gospel.
Transfiguration of the Lord - Friday 6th August
Transfiguration prayer
On the mountain you were transfigured, O Christ God,
And your disciples beheld your glory as far as they were able
So that when they would behold You crucified,
They would understand that Your suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That You are truly the radiance of the Father.
(Kontakion of the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ)
Teresa Rush
DRS
MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Over the coming weeks we will profile each member of the Board to give you an insight into the people helping to run our wonderful school. In previous newsletters we have met Tracey Oliver-Marshall, Lorraine Schofield, Matt Dalton, Bernie Gardiner, Tony Lenton, Ati Aaifou-Olive, Monika Lolohea and Terry Consedine.
This week we meet our final three trustees Sr Emeli, Donna Vincent and James Murray.
Sr Emeli – Proprietors Representative
St Mary’s Catholic School is one of the many schools founded by the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny. As a Cluny Sister for 17 years, I find myself blessed to live and work alongside women of great faith, passionate to “Do a Little Good” wherever they are sent as daughters of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey. Having agreed to be a Board representative for Bishop Stephen Lowe, it is a privilege to work with such a great team to sustain the Catholic Character and school charism, and for all families entrusted to their care at St Mary’s.
Donna Vincent - Staff Representative
I am very privileged to be the elected staff representative on our Board for a second term. I have a long association with St Mary’s school spanning 20 years both as a parent and teacher and so I am very passionate about this special place. During my time at St Mary’s school I have worked in a variety of roles and this year I am currently enjoying my new position as our Learning Support Coordinator.
James Murray – Principal
My name is James Murray, and I am the Principal here at our wonderful St Marys. My wife Karla and I have four sons who attend St Mary’s and Aquinas College. I am committed to building strong partnerships with our community and making sure our children can be the best they can be.
I am firmly committed to Catholic education and what it offers our children and community. I look forward to each and every day at St Marys where we are able to mould our children into wonderful Catholic citizens.
SCHOOL NEWS
Some of our cricketers had an exciting opportunity to see our World Champion Black Caps and their incredible Mace at Tauranga Intermediate today. The team were very excited to receive signatures and photos with some of the star players while also getting up close to the prized trophy.
Play Pod
Play is super important to our children. It provides them with opportunities to be creative, to express their individuality, and connect with others and their spaces. They take ownership of how they want to play and how they want to engage with each other and their environment.
In our Play Pod we aim to provide a range of scrap materials such as cardboard tubes, tyres, lengths of material, netting, ropes, crates and bins which extends the choices and possibilities of play for all children on a regular basis. The nonrestrictive nature of these loose parts in combination with children’s inventiveness and creativity results in them using the items in endless different ways, enabling all ages, genders and abilities to find ways to play and socialise together.
Your junk could be our treasure. If you have anything you would like to donate to our Play Pod please let me know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoIpA3JYoDc&t=4s
Lisa Broadmore
Students in front our St Mary's Play Pod
Congratulations to our Term 3 & 4 Year 6 Leaders
PARISH NEWS
Welcome back to our schools
God of love, as you inspired St Thomas Aquinas so long ago, inspire in us now a sincere love of your Son. With a sense of oneness and dedication, may we always have a gratitude for our past, confidence in the present moment, and a vision for the future. Bless our parish, our schools, our ministers, our people, especially our children – and all who need your care. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Catholic Theological College
Understanding Scripture & Social Justice TH504 Catholic Social Teaching. Blended learning (tutorials and online) Starts 30th July. Contact: c.piper@ctc.ac.nz call: 021704411 or 078566989 ext. 839.
Bishop Steve's Social Media
Social Media Someone has created a fake Facebook account, pretending to be Bishop Steve. Please remember that Bishop Steve will never ask you personally to give money via Facebook Messenger. If you ever have concerns regarding diocesan-related social media, please phone the Chanel Centre or email sm@cdh.org.nz Thank you to those who alerted us of this incident.
ATypical Mums Support Group
Run for mums with ASD/ADHD kids by mums with ASD/ADHD kids. Monthly term-time coffee / info sharing meeting with guest speaker. Last Thursday of the month; 29 July, 26 August, 30 September, 28 October, 25 November, St Mary Immaculate church, 9am to 11am. For more information email Mary-Jane: mj.merrick.dutoit@gmail.com
TERM DATES 2021
Term 2 - Monday 3 May - Thursday 8 July
Monday 7 June - Queens Birthday
Friday 9 July - Kahui Ako Teacher Only Day
Term 3 - Monday 26 July - Friday 1 October
Wednesday 11 August - Accord Day Teacher Only Day
Term 4 - Monday 18 October - Friday 17 December (12 noon)
Monday 25 October - Labour Day
Friday 12th November - Accord Day Teacher Only Day
TERM DATES 2022
Monday 7 February - Waitangi Day
Term 2 - Monday 2 May - Friday 8 July
Monday 6 June - Queen's Birthday
Friday 24 June - Matariki
Term 3 - Monday 25 July - Friday 30 September
Term 4 - Monday 17 October - Tuesday 20 December
Monday 24 October - Labour Day
There is provision for two Teacher only days and two Accord days to be added to the 2022 calendar year.
Please support our Gold Group Sponsors
Contact Us
Email: office@stmarystga.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarystga.school.nz/
Location: 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 578 8066
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarystga/