‘From the mouth of Children and Infants you have fashioned praise’ Matthew 21:16

‘From the mouth of Children and Infants you have fashioned praise’
Matthew 21:16

BY:DAVID and DENA 6S

Palm Sunday
On Monday 25th of March our school celebrated Palm Sunday. We celebrated Palm Sunday by going to mass. After church we were given palm branches and the whole school walked around the church and the choir sang ‘All the Church chant Hosanna’. Then 4I re-enacted how Jesus entered Jerusalem by riding on a donkey. When Jesus entered Jerusalem the people laid their cloaks and palm branches on the ground and were singing, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

The last supper
During the re-enactment of the Last Supper
Jesus did two things:
• Jesus took the BREAD and broke it, giving it to his disciples. He said: “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
• Then Jesus took the CUP, gave it to his disciples saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he washed his disciples’ feet to teach them that the greatest among them should become their servant.

Easter
Easter is the day when we celebrate Jesus Christ rising from the dead. Jesus is the Son of God and heroically gave His life to die for our sins. On the third day after He died — the day we now celebrate as Easter Sunday. His friends went to His grave, and found that He had risen from the dead. They saw an angel who told them, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as He said it would happen.”

Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday; now He offers to you the gift of eternal life and forgiveness of sins. This is the true story of Easter, and how it can change your life.

Feast of the ascension:
On the 9th May our school celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Girls in kindergarten wore white dresses and went to church to receive the Holy Eucharist. Then we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension by going to our school hall to learn the significance of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus. We learnt that the Feast of the Ascension/Eeda d solaqa occurs 40 days after Easter Sunday. Before Jesus went up to heaven He gave His disciples some very special instructions. He told them they are to teach everyone about the Gospel. After Jesus said this he went into the clouds and the disciples couldn’t see him anymore. Even though Jesus has ascended into heaven He will never leave us and has promised us He will come back again.

Feast of Pentecost
Ten days after Jesus had gone back to His Father in heaven, the disciples had all gathered in one place. They were scared because Jesus had left them.
All of a sudden they heard what it sounded like very strong wind. They saw like flames of fire in shape of tongues that rested on them.
As this happened the disciples became very strong and confident. They knew that Jesus had sent the helper that He promised them. The helper is the Holy Spirit which would help them to teach about Jesus.
Then the disciples started to speak in many different languages including Assyrian. They went out to teach everyone about Jesus.
On this wonderful day we celebrate the birth of the Church.

 

Rejoice Festival 2013

Through the study of the Living Word of God as well as social and cultural activities, young Assyrians continue to grow together spiritually and socially, developing and establishing wonderful and long-lasting relationships, built upon the love of God. We draw upon the teachings of John 2:14b, “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”

Last year we decided to hold the ‘Rejoice’ festival for families to enjoy an Easter event. As a result of the success of the event it has now become an annual event. This year the festival was held on Sunday 7 April 2013 from 12pm-9pm. We have drawn on biblical readings in naming the event ‘Rejoice’; 2 Corinthians 5:15 states ‘And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again’. We understand from this biblical message that through Christ’s death and resurrection our lives are transformed and we are called to live and rejoice in Him. Through Christ’s death and resurrection all of humanity is renewed and saved. In organizing the mentioned event, we wish not to only add to the activities that are already held during the Easter season but to stage an activity which has at its roots a desire to spread the Word of God and the true meaning of Easter.

The day included good food, drinks and entertainment for the whole family. We also had guest stars of favorite Disney characters, amusement rides for everyone and Easter show bags to give the true meaning of the Holy Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

God willing, each and every year Rejoice will continue to be successful and enjoyable for all ages with the ongoing celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our aim is to spend this day and every other day as brothers and sisters in Christ by sharing our love with one another and remembering Gods ultimate sacrifice for us. Let us not only rejoice for our Lord on Easter, rather let us give thanks and praise to God daily for His unconditional love and blessings.

ACEYA Sydney Core Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their generous donations and ongoing support. We were blessed to have numerous volunteers throughout the day that helped the festival run smoothly. We pray that everyone passed a blessed day celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God willing we see you all once again next year.

Meet and Greet with the Chaldean Catholic Church Patriarch, Mar Louis Raphael I Sako

On Tuesday, 7th May 2013 the Assyrian Church in Sydney has invited H.H Mar Louis Raphael I Sako along with the other guest prelates from Iraq to St Hurmizd Cathedral at 6 to 7 pm for a meet and greet session, and an official welcoming by the Assyrian Church congregation.

The Chaldean Church prelates will be welcomed by H.B Mar Meelis Zaia AM and reverend priests and deacons at St Hurmizd Cathedral for a joint prayer. Afterwards, the congregation will make their way into Edessa Reception Hall where the prelates along with the faithfuls will share in a tea and cake time for an hour.

We pray to see you all there.