Thoughts on the Gospel
Taxes were an incendiary issue during the lifetime of Jesus. The Roman Empire imposed a head tax on the population of Judea, Samaria and Idumea, and conducted a census to enforce it. Around A.D. 6, when Jesus was still young, Judas the Galilean led a revolt against the census, which was ruthlessly re- pressed by the Romans (Acts 5:37-38). The Pharisees, who resented the Roman occupation of the pure land of Israel, were against the tax, while the Herodians supported it. Together they are setting a trap for Jesus. He is faced with being either a collaborator or an insurrectionist. „By answering, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” Jesus narrows his response to only the census tax and embodies his rejection of violence as a way of dealing with oppressive situations. „The three disputes of Jesus in Matthew 22 culminate in the greatest commandments about loving God with one’s whole heart, mind and soul, and loving one’s neighbor as oneself (next Sunday’s Gospel). Hu- mans, not coins, bear God’s true image, and no edict of Caesar can absolve Jesus‟ followers from this mandate to love God and see God in the neighbor.‟ Excerpt from a commentary by Fr John Donahue SJ
Feast Days of the Week
Monday 17 Oct St Ignatius of Antioch c.AD 50 – c.AD 110
Ignatius was a convert and a disciple of St John the Evangelist. St Peter appointed
him Bishop of Antioch, which diocese he governed for forty years. Arrested in the reign of Emperor Trajan he was taken in chains to Rome and devoured by lions. He ended his saintly life exclaiming, „May I become agreeable bread to the Lord.‟
Communion Antiphon:
“The son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.”
NOTICE
1. Dardanup/Boyanup Youth Group - Thank you to the Congdon family for a well organised and interesting activity. Next month’s activity will be organized by the Haines family. We will be trying to incorporate the Relay for Life as part of this activity for next month.
2. The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 24th October at 7pm at the retreat house.
3. Many thanks to all parishioners involved in the parish and school activities for this year’s Bull and Barrel festival. The various activities we are involved with are a good fundraiser for the parish, and the help of parish volunteers is very much appreciated.
4. There will be an Acolytes meeting next Friday 21st October at 7pm in the presbytery to prepare for the upcoming Advent and Christmas liturgies.
PRAYER FOR THE PARISH COMMUNITY
Our Father in Heaven, You call us to form a Family of families, A community of Families, Led by your hand and guided by Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Grant our parish and home: Unity and Creativity in serving one another; Imagination and Right Motivation in spreading the Good News of your Kingdom; Joy and Enthusiasm as we grow in Holiness through the celebration of the Sacraments, the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and the Deepening of experiences through our Catholic Christian formation. Make our parish and home a worthy dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, who will throw Fire into our hearts and minds; to enable us to attain Unity that will move us towards Mission. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Pray for us!
Parish Vision Statement:
In union with the entire Church, we aim to be a Christ-centred Family of families, spiritually alive and growing in our faith, reaching out, welcoming and engaging all in a spirit of generosity, compassion and love.
Parish Mission Statement:
Through the example of our lives, we proclaim the Gospel by: Actively seeking opportunities to engage everybody in the sacramental life of the parish; Answering the call to serve with generosity; Providing opportunities and on-going support for the deepening of our faith; Recognizing the value of the parish school community to the life of the parish and supporting them in their faith journey; and Looking for ways to engage and include the broader community.
