In this week’s Gospel, Jesus heals a man who was born blind and gives him the gift of sight. This story invites us to consider the importance of our sight - both physical and spiritual. The man in the story is given the gift of physical sight, but the much greater gift was Jesus revealing Himself as the son of God. In this week’s Gospel, and last week’s about Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well, there are many symbols of Baptism. Through water and each person’s encounter with Jesus, they become disciples, and come to a greater understanding of who Jesus is, while the Pharisees continue to be spiritually blinded, as they refuse to believe what they have seen and have been told. Through Baptism, our discipleship begins, and from that moment, we are invited to mature in our faith as our relationship with and knowledge about Jesus grows, just like the blind man and the woman at the well.

Today we began our celebration of the Feast of St Patrick by celebrating Mass as a staff. St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints. He was born in Roman Britain and when he was fourteen or so, he was captured by Irish pirates during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain and was reunited with his family. Once home he studied to be a priest. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years, and was later ordained a bishop and sent to take the Gospel to Ireland.He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity and entire kingdoms were eventually converted to Christianity after hearing Patrick's message. Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, travelling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

Our school was a sea of green today in honour of St Patrick and we thank our community for their generous donations towards our Project Compassion appeal. We have until the end of term to give generously to Project Compassion and help out those less fortunate than ourselves.

Thank you to the parents and carers who attend one of the Parent Formation Evening's this week. If you were unable to come, please contact Anne Gowan at the Parish or by email TuggeranongSouth.Sacraments@cg.org.au  to gather the informaiton given during this meeting.  

Have a great week!

Sharee Thomas