During this first week of Lent, the Gospel reading at Mass was all about Jesus being ‘transfigured’. The dictionary meaning of the word transfigured means to be ‘transformed into something more beautiful or elevated.’

We are so lucky to have a parent body like ours that is so generous with their time. Over the weekend the bare dirt of the front garden was ‘transfigured’ into something more beautiful and elevated. It was amazing to be part of the camaraderie and cooperation that occurred, working together to create a space that will be of benefit to our whole Grenfell community. This was mirrored in the work that occurred at the Grenfell Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) for the older members of our community to make a worthwhile contribution to the community.

In the same way, Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Project at a school in Samoa transfigured the lives of the students and teachers. Until 2023, the school had no reliable access to fresh water. At times, teachers had to fetch water from neighbouring families, and this took considerable time out of the day and limited classes. It also meant that each class had a single bucket of drinking water for everyone to share. Thanks to the generosity of those that support Project Compassion, this has now changed. Education can continue uninterrupted.

Samoa may seem a long way away but let us think for a moment of some of the words Jesus said on the night before he died. He prayed ‘may they all be one.’ We see the high price of division and conflict in so many places.  As we Unite Against Poverty, we are slowly creating the solution. Our actions are teaching the world to see possibilities more than problems. Just as his friends saw Jesus in a brilliant new light, so too must we see the whole human family with its true dignity.

Prayer

We pray for all those whose access to food and water is insecure. May the whole human family respond generously in creating lasting justice in the distribution of life’s necessities. May we respond to opportunities such as those presented by Project Compassion this Lent to Unite Against Poverty. May we all be one.

Amen

 Adapted from School Reflections. Caritas Australia.

Warm regards,

Loyola Best

​Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Parish News:    SACRAMENTS of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation in 2025 (see below)

      Parish Lenten Groups- Mondays 3.30p.m. during Lent in the School Library. All welcome. Contact Di Franks (0418619740)

Next Weeks Readings: 3^rd Sunday of Lent: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15, Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, and Luke 13:1-9.