• Setting the Scene - Beginning of the week Gospel Reflections
• School Calendar 
• H&S Reminders  for families
• Kapai Kai - Lunchorder Menu

Setting the Scene - Gospel Reflections 

Gospel - John 14:15-21 

Jesus Promises to Give the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love Me, you will do what I say. 16 Then I will ask My Father and He will give you another Helper. He will be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot receive Him. It does not see Him or know Him. You know Him because He lives with you and will be in you.

Jesus Tells of His Death

18 “I will not leave you without help as children without parents. I will come to you. 19 In a little while the world will see Me no more. You will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 When that day comes, you will know that I am in My Father. You will know that you are in Me. You will know that I am in you. 21 The one who loves Me is the one who has My teaching and obeys it. My Father will love whoever loves Me. I will love him and will show Myself to him.”

The Gospel reading from this Sunday recounts a conversation that takes place at the Last Supper between Jesus and his disciples. It represents Jesus’ attempt to prepare the disciples for what is coming. (The Helper) The Holy Spirit. He begins by emphasizing the importance of belief/Faith and then shifts his emphasis to love. Jesus makes strong links between obedience and love. We often find ourselves willing to speak of God's love but many do not preach openly about the obligation we have to obey His rules.

There is a well known Maori proverb (Whakatauki) that comes to mind when I consider the concept of obedience.

TĀ TE TAMARIKI TĀNA MAHI WĀWĀHI TAHĀ -

"It is the job of the children to smash the calabash"

Children in particular bend, breach or ignore rules to varying degrees and for varying reasons. Te Ao Maori Philosophy tells us that this is to be expected from children. A calabash was considered a very valuable object. Could it suggest then that even our most important rules children must break before they can learn?  Jesus speaks to us of the importance a Father (or parents) play in order for us to have the help we need to learn and grow as His children on Earth. Our children need to have a guide, patient teachers, people who love them unconditionally and can forgive them. Just like our God promises to do for us.  

A failure to obey can simply be described as "behaving like a child" or having an "egocentric" attitude. It is appropriate, even expected that they will faulter as they come to learn rules. It is up to us to help them to develop wisdom. The ability to have knowledge and then action it responsibly. Sometimes, even as adults; we become so concerned with the things that affect 'ME' and "MINE" that very quickly we lose our ability to consider 'WE'  and 'OURS'. We cannot see how our disobedience can impact not just ourselves but the people in our family or the community that we care about.   

In Jesus' conversation he reaffirms the bond between the Father and us, His children. Saying that we will not be "orphans". We will be sent "A Helper".  Through the act of receiving the sacrament of confirmation, Catholics receive the supernatural gifts of The Holy Spirit, the "Helper" that Jesus promised would remain with us forever.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are:

In John's Gospel three commandments are revealed to us that encourages us to focus more on 'WE' and not just 'ME'. The gifts of the Holy Spirit help us to become better family members, friends, colleagues and citizens. 

The commandments presented to us in John's Gospel are:

1) What I do for you, do unto others

2) Love one another

3) Don't let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God

Have a wonderful week St Michael's.

God bless,

Kristina Crouch

Principal

ADDITIONAL READING:

Five Reasons Kids Disobey - Biblical Approaches to parenting

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit explained - An easy to understand guide for parents and children

How you can use your spiritual gifts to help your family 

School Calendar - Week beginning 18th of May

Weekly Health and Safety Reminders 

There are a small group of people who may benefit from these Health and Safety reminders put in place for the care and protection of ALL. 

Jesus tells us that your obedience IS an act of love for all.

PICK UPS AND DROP OFFS

1) Students are not to be on school grounds before 8:30am thankyou. Before 8:30am children are the responsibility of their parents. After 8:30am they become St Michael's students under our care. If you NEED to drop your child off earlier then please consider making use of our before school care service.

BEFORE SCHOOL CARE

You MUST register first in order for your child to be welcomed into the Before School Care service. Simply dropping children off at 7:55am is not courteous to us and it puts the H&S of your child and others at risk. You can register their attendance HERE.

ACCESSING THE SCHOOL GROUNDS OR OFFICE

Call the school office. Please don't just show up. If it's not essential that you are onsite. Please just stay out of the grounds. You are still welcome to see Whaea Kristina or other staff members but it will be an appointment only process.

If you are the parent of a year 0/1. Please quickly sign a simple register at The Ark.

STAY INFORMED

Please commit to reading and understanding the information we send out. 

During Alert Level 4 lockdown. Our National newsrooms reported that the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders were being obedient, kind and staying at home. Most New Zealanders listened to our Primeminister and respected the responsibility she carried to make extremely difficult decisions that have had life altering and stressful affects for many. Her decisions were made to preserve life. Jacinda Ardern has been acknowledged on a global stage for her leadership and grace. 

Despite the government's clear messaging, constant reminders, LIVE Feeds and the policing of these rules. There were STILL people who deliberately disobeyed the rules with scant regard for others. Disappointingly, It is no different at our schools.

Please St Michael's families. Help us to keep our schools safe and follow our rules. While our changes may be inconvenient for you at the moment. I assure you they will not be lifechanging and will not last forever. If you are finding something hard. We are always here to listen and support where we can.

Kapai Kai Lunch Order Menu

Available to order at the office Wednesday AND Friday

CLICK THE FOOD ICON TO SEE THE MENU