Newsletter January 22nd 2023 (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time / Catholic Schools Week 2023)

WORD OF GOD SUNDAY

Can we change our way of living?

· When Jesus began his public ministry of preaching and healing, John the Baptist had already been arrested, putting and end to his movement of religious revival. At that point, instead of going back to Nazareth (i.e. instead of going home) , Jesus went to Capernaum. This marked a new beginning, whose purpose is described in a verse of prophecy: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, light has dawned.” Jesus would later refer to himself as the light of the world; and, in commissioning his disciples, he would tell send us out also, to be light to the world. His vocation is our vocation too.

· In times past the idea of “vocation” was focused mainly on doctors, nurses, priests and religious. But now it has been restored to its original, wider application, and all our baptised people are invited to experience their calling from God. There is nothing dramatic about this. It just means that I don’t just stumble into the Christian way by default, but that God has chosen me: “I have called you by name; you are mine.” “You didn’t choose me; no, I chose you, and I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that would remain.” If the gospel is now, and I am every person in the gospel, then, through the gospel of today, I am being called again.

Catholic Schools Week 2023 will be celebrated in schools and parishes throughout Ireland from Sunday 22nd to Sunday 29th January 2023

The theme for the week of celebration this year is: ‘Walking Together in Faith & Love’

which incorporates three features of the Synodal Pathway, communion, participation and mission.

Through engagement with Catholic Schools Week 2023, our parish and school communities have an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the wonderful contribution made by our Catholic Schools at primary and post primary levels in Cork and Ross. Our Catholic schools support and give living witness to the Person of Christ in their ethos, values and characteristic spirit