Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Gospel Reading
Mark 12:28b-34
Jesus is questioned by a scribe about the greatest commandment.
Background on the Gospel Reading
As we continue to read from Mark’s Gospel, our Lectionary skips a chapter that helps set the context for today’s reading. If we were to read the sections skipped (chapter 11 and part of chapter 12), we would hear about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his cleansing of the Temple, and the questioning of Jesus’ authority by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. The context, therefore, for this Gospel is Jesus’ growing exposure before the Jewish authorities. Jesus is being questioned and tested by the Jewish authorities, yet the scribe who addresses Jesus in today’s Gospel seems to be an admirer; he is not testing Jesus.
The question posed in today’s Gospel requires Jesus to interpret the Law of Moses. The Mosaic Law consists of the Ten Commandments and many additional commandments, numbering into the hundreds. For a devout Jew, adherence to the Mosaic Law is an expression of faithfulness to God’s covenant with Israel. The ranking of these commandments was regularly debated among the teachers of the Law.
Jesus was not the only Jewish religious teacher to connect these two commandments, love of God and love of neighbour. Both of these commandments were central elements of the religious tradition that Jesus learned from his Jewish community. Indeed, these commandments continue to be central aspects of contemporary Jewish religious understanding. Jesus’ response to his questioners proposed an integral connection between these two aspects of the Jewish Law. Love of God finds its expression in our love for our neighbor. Many believe, however, that this connection was heard in a new and fresh way when spoken by Jesus.
The scribe who questions Jesus in today’s Gospel engages in a positive dialogue with Jesus. He agrees with Jesus’ teaching that the commandments to love God and love neighbor stand above the commandment to offer worship and sacrifice in the Temple. With this dialogue, Jesus appears to close the debate with the Jewish authorities. Mark reports that no one dared to question Jesus further.
Aroha Camp
Welcome back to the Aroha team from camp. I was lucky enough to spend some time at camp on Thursday. The children, teachers, and parents had a fantastic time and I want to thank everyone involved for making it a wonderful experience for our children.
Thankfully Mrs McIntosh is on the mend and back at school.
St Mary's Fireworks Cancelled
In consultation with our Board of Trustees and the PTA, we have made the difficult decision not to hold the fireworks this year. As you can understand we are not permitted to do so under Alert level 2. The decision was made as we did not see Tauranga coming out of this level, potentially until the end of the school year. I want to thank all those involved for the conversations and the thinking around what we can do moving forward.
Thank you to our outgoing PTA Executive
We also have a number of PTA members who are leaving families as their children move on to Intermediates. We would like to thank-you for your consistent work in supporting, contributing and driving many events over the numerous years of service. Our community and especially our children, thank-you.
Vaccination Information
At 11.59pm on Monday 25 October the COVID-19 Public Health Response Order for Mandatory Vaccinations for Education came into effect.
Everyone who works or volunteers for a school who may have contact with children or students or will be present at a time when children and students are also present must have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15 November and be fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.
The vaccination requirements apply wherever in person schooling occurs, such as on the school site, but also at school camps, swimming pools, museums, or where other education outside the classroom (EOTC) programmes take place.
This means that we are only allowed to allow people to help at school events with children if they have had at least their first dose by 16 November, and are fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.
We already have a school requirement that adults who wish to help on trips, camps or in class must have a police vet through the school within the last three years. This order is now included with that requirement for us. If you wish to be involved as a helper in any events after 16 November, please email through or pop by school with evidence of your vaccination/s before that date. When school starts next year, we will need evidence of full vaccination by 1 January for any school helpers. We will store your information privately in our school database.
The requirements do not apply to people who are just visiting the school, such as for a learning conference or a parent, whānau and community evening.
Sun Safety
Sun block will be available in classrooms but I would suggest applying sunblock to your child in the morning before school as an additional precaution. As I am sure you do as parents, we encourage children to manage themselves when it comes to sunscreen. Our teachers will always give reminders but are unable to apply sun block to their entire class.
A reminder also that it is compulsory for students to have a school sun hat. The NO HAT NO PLAY rule will apply immediately. If children do not have a school hat they will be asked to play in designated covered area.
If your child requires any alterations to the uniform then please write a note to your child's teacher explaining.
Year 6 Retreat
Every year, the year 6’s are fortunate enough to be able to participate in a retreat.
This year the Retreat was held at the Cluny Retreat Centre and grounds next door to St Mary's School. The theme for the retreat was 'As You Find Me.' This time around we were blessed to have the NET team teach us about finding ‘who we are’ on their Encounter Day. The NET team stands for: National Evangelisation Teams.
Throughout the day we participated in many fun activities and were taught the importance of being you.
By Milli Banbury
Praying the Rosary
A reminder that Koralee Brazendale will be leading the Rosary every Monday and Friday afternoon from 2.30pm - 2.55pm in the school chapel.
You do not need to know how to pray the Rosary, just come and listen in. You are all very welcome!
For more information please contact koralee.kahika@gmail.com.
Tauranga Shoebox Christmas Appeal
Thank you to the 80 St Mary's families who are supporting the Tauranga Shoebox Christmas Appeal. We have received almost half of the showboxes and would appreciate having all of them delivered to school by this Friday, the 5th of November.
Thank you again for your wonderful support.
Speech and Drama Lesson 2022 Forms
Speech and Drama Enrolment forms for 2022 are now available here
Application form for the St Mary’s Catholic School’s Whakamana Korero Scholarship is available here
Speech and Drama lessons are taught by our resident Trinity College Speech and Drama teacher Dee Ellwood. Dee has been teaching for 20 years – seven years at St Mary’s (and she is a St Mary’s old girl!). All areas of the Trinity College Speech and Drama and Communication Skills syllabuses are covered across the year: voice modulation, poetry/prose, characterisation, public speaking, theatre performance, reading at sight, improv, mime and much more. Students have the opportunity to enter Trinity College speech exams, sit in-class exams, perform in the Tauranga Performing Arts Comps and an end-of-year Speech and Drama Concert. Lessons are held during school hours on a Wednesday, four terms. Class sizes are small and places limited.
Enrolments must be into the office asap (latest week 8 of this term), and Dee will make contact with you before end of term. Scholarship applications for Year 6 students are also due by 4th December.
Dramatic News Ahead!!!!
A HUGE congratulations to Milli Banbury, Maebh Manning, Sadie Frank, Caitlin Schofield, Sienna Prince, Esme Holmberg, Eva Phizacklea, Indie Mackenzie, Evie Dumbleton, Mackenzie Jury and Meila Butcher for excelling in their October Trinity College, London Speech and Drama exams with Distinction and Merit. And special recognition to Maebh and Caitlin who topped their grades with 90%. After a year of sorts, the girls persevered and gave their all to preparation. We are so proud of your efforts – well-done girls.
Catholic Family Support Services. Christmas doesn’t come easy for many families and whanau. You can make a difference today by sponsoring a Christmas Hamper for families, whanau and children going through tough times. Small Hamper—$50; Larger Hamper—$100. Make a pledge by contacting Catholic Family Support Services (07) 856 3760 or Catholic Family Support Services Account number: 02-0342- 0008002-00.
New Zealand Catholic
NZ Catholic are providing, free of charge a digital link to the latest issue. Click here for your copy.
Contact Us
Email: office@stmarystga.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarystga.school.nz/
Location: 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 578 8066
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarystga/
