Sunday Gospel Reflection: John 14:15-21

Sixth Sunday of Easter - Year A

I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate 

Today’s Gospel speaks of an advocate. This translates a Greek word: ‘paraclete’. Our Lord says: ‘I will send you another Paraclete to be with you forever.’ Our Lord was a Paraclete, and he would send another.

What does this strange sounding word mean? Here is a hint. We all know that parallel lines run, well, para-llel. They run alongside each other. A paraclete is a person who stands alongside someone and pleads their case.

That is how our Lord Jesus Christ saw himself. His role was not to condemn but to plead the case for mercy and compassion, to be the intercessor par excellence.

Our Lord promises another Paraclete dwelling within us, individually and as the body of Christ’s disciples, the Holy Spirit advocating our cause, assisting us to live Truthfully by the measure of the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. This Paraclete particularly assists us by acting as the Spirit of Truth.

We could pause for a moment to thank God for the two Paracletes, constantly pleading our case before the Throne of Mercy

(Fr Michael Tate).

CONFIRMATION

Our Year 6 children are currently moving through their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in June. After a 3 year absence due to Covid-19, this year the Archbishop will be celebrating the Sacrament with us. As the children continue to complete the home sessions, please keep them in your families prayers.A reminder to families that the next Parent/Child/Sponsor evening will be held on the evenings of Wednesday 31st May and Thursday 1st June at 6pm. You only need to attend one night and while your child's sponsor is invited, it is not essential for them to attend.

Message from the Archdiocese

The Archdiocesan Marriage, Family & Relationships team would like to invite staff and parents in your school community  to two events on May 23rd with guest speaker Christopher Padgett;

-A Men’s Breakfast, in collaboration with Menalive

-A cocktail dinner, designed to be a fun & encouraging night out for anyone interested in encouraging the vocation of marriage & family in our Archdiocese: single, married, ordained, consecrated, young or old. All are welcome.

Chris Padgett is a Catholic husband, father & grandfather, as well as an author, musician and entertainer. He has a Licentiate in Theology and works in marriage education for the Diocese of Syracuse, New York.

Please see details below

Tuesday 23 May | Marriage & Family Life Cocktail Dinner | 6:45 pm

Enjoy a fun night out with parishioners from across the Archdiocese while Catholic author, comedian and theologian - Christopher Padgett - helps us laugh our way to a more hopeful vision of the Church’s proclamation of marriage and family life. All welcome – single, married, young and old. Tickets are $45 and include wine, soft drinks, hot finger food and dessert.  Venue: Veritas Building, ACU Watson,. Enquiries: Lara Kirk lara.kirk@cg.org.au 0429 192 869

Registration: http://bit.ly/PadgettCocktail

Tuesday 23 May | Catholic Men’s Breakfast | 7:00 – 8:45 am

Have breakfast at Haydon Hall with like minded men and a Catholic Author, Speaker, and Entertainer, Chris Padgett. From the Diocese of Syracuse (New York), Chris Padgett uses humour and personal stories to inspire and encourage men young and old to take hold of the awesome vision the Church proclaims for developing our lives and relationships to the full.

Cost: $38. (Tables of 8 for schools only at $220) Enquiries Frank Stanford fstanford200@gmail.com 0417 664 110
Registration: https://bit.ly/ChrisPadgett

Any enquiries can be directed to Lara Kirk  lara.kirk@cg.org.au 0429 192 869

Have a great week!

Sharee Thomas

sharee.thomas@cg.catholic.edu.au