January Reflection
'Follow me and I will make you fishers of men and they left their nets at once and followed him.'

This invitation of Jesus to Peter and Andrew to follow him is an invitation that is given to each of us in order that we the brothers and sisters of Jesus would help him to build up the Kingdom of God here on earth, a kingdom of caring and sharing.
Caring for the people who live, work and socialise with us through our prayer life as a community at Mass each Saturday night or Sunday morning, and in our own personal prayer life, e.g. praying for the sick etc. Our caring should also include time spent with God's people especially the house bound, those in hospitals and in nursing homes, time for chatting, time for people and time away from selfishness.
In giving our energies we could begin our own programme of helping people through various organisations e.g. The Samaritans, St. Vincent de Paul etc.
From our resources when compared to people who are homeless and destitute, we are very rich. We could and should, like our response to the St. Stephen's Day Asian Disaster, continue to keep the needs of our brothers and sisters, at home and abroad, always foremost in our minds.
Jesus gave of his time here on earth to fulfil the Scriptures of the Old Testament and of the New Testament and his preaching and love for his people.
Jesus gave the ultimate of his energy at the time of his passion in order that we could inherit the joys of heaven.
Jesus gave from his resources, the power of his miracles, the forgiveness of sins, the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and the great abundance of love which came from his heart.
Peter, Andrew and the other Apostles, the Saints and the Holy Souls followed Jesus and were fishers of men and women for him through their lives.
May we follow their example through the power of the Holy Spirit living within each of us.

The theme for Catechetical Sunday 2005 is 'Jesus the Teacher' and an important part of the resources being made available to assist in celebrating this important Sunday we are pleased to present you with this liturgical pack. It includes homily notes, prayers of the faithful and a communion reflection.
It is our hope that 'Jesus the Teacher' - Catechetical Sunday 2005 will offer another opportunity to promote catechesis as a life long learning in faith and foster greater co-operation between all those involved in catechetical ministry especially in our homes, schools and parishes.

Quotes …
'What seems impossible one minute becomes, through faith, possible the next.' Norman Vincent Peale

'In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those who rekindle the inner spirit.' Albert Schweitzer

'When tears fall, God will be there to catch them and to catch you.' Hannah T (14)

'Faith is free and available to all peoples at all times. It only requires that one fully embrace possibility, and the ultimate value is the depth of the embrace.' Patch Adams

'The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in themse1ves.' Joseph Campbell

'Wherever there are beginners and experts, old and young, there is some kind of learning going on, some kind of teaching. We are all pupils and we are all teachers.' Gilbert Highet

'The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.' Mark Van Doran

'It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.' Albert Einstein

'The catechist is essentially the mediator... (who) facilitates communication between the people and the mystery of God...'
General Directory for Catechesis (156)

'Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.'

Prayer Thought

The Lord is our light and our help.
Christ is the light of the world. In the confusion of our lives it is He who calls us from despair to hope, from sadness to joy, from darkness into light.