Dear Parents and Caregivers
At mass on Sunday, we heard the story of the Samaratin Woman at the well. This story, tells us a lot about both Jesus and this woman. The story is set in the middle of the day at the village well. Nothing unusual about this but during Jesus’ time, most women went to the well in the early morning and not in the middle of the day. The early morning was cool and it also gave women the opportunity to socialise and catch up with each other.
This is not the case for the Samaratin woman. She is socially isolated by her community because of the choices she has made in her life. Therefore, her interaction with other women is minimal or not existing. Even the men in her community shun her!
On this day, she meets Jesus, a stranger, a Jewish man, who asks her for a drink! She finds this strange especially as Samaratin and Jewish people had little to do with each other and wouldn’t have a conversation with each other. But Jesus is different. In their conversation, he knows her story and accepts her. The woman is touched by Jesus’ acceptance of her. He does not judge her as others do.
This encounter with Jesus brings about a transformation within this woman because Jesus does not see a sinner but accepts her as she is.
During this Lenten period, how can we be like Jesus? With members of our family, friends or even the people we meet? Can we accept others for who they are and not pass judgement?
ECSIP Survey
Thank you to the Parents and Caregivers who have participated in the Enhancing Catholic Identity in Schools survey.
If you haven’t completed the survey, it isn’t too late to do so. All you need to do is go to:
schoolidentity.net and enter the website access code Ghj654.
This will take you to the survey. Please click on this and then you will be at a page which says New User. Click on New User and enter the group entry code: K1312D. At this point, you will be provided with an individual username and password. Please make a note of this as this information is only available to you.
When you have completed the survey, print your Certificate of Completion and bring it in to school or alternatively email it to me: grace@sjms.catholic.edu.au
Your certificate will then go into a draw for a bottle of wine.
Thank you in anticipation of your participation
Project Compassion
We are almost halfway through the season of Lent. Some of our classes are busy organising classroom activities to help raise funds for Project Compassion. Please keep an eye on Skoolbag for classroom information.
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
Photo: Reception students at the Reception Liturgy, 6 March 2020