Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary time: 9 October 2022
This year the theme chosen by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops for Support Life Sunday is Mental Illness, with the focus on accompanying and caring for people living with mental illness.
It is fitting that New Zealand’s Mental Health Awareness Week finished the Sunday before on 2 October, providing a wonderful point of entry for Catholic parishes to reflect on and discuss what is such an important and urgent topic.
The Nathaniel Centre — the bishops’ bioethics agency — has prepared a number of resources for use this Sunday (found below),
The focus of this material is to amplify the voices of people living with mental illness and their insights into ways they feel supported.
Readings:
2 Kings 5:14-17 – Conversion of Naaman
Psalm 98:1, 2-3,3-4 – The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power
2 Tm 2:8-13 – If we have died with him, we shall also live with him
Luke 17:11-19 – The Ten Lepers
Homily notes and Prayers of the Faithful can be found here.
SLS Poster
Download the printable Support Life Sunday poster, designed for classrooms, church buildings, offices and gathering spaces.
PowerPoint
A ‘holding slide’ to be used before or after Mass, or during other gatherings.
Questions for Leadership Teams
Points for leaders and pastoral carers to reflect on within their parish communities.
Examination of Conscience for Parishes
Questions around the theme of Mental Illness, designed to prompt self-reflection and community discussion. Also available as a PowerPoint.
Examination of Conscience for Primary Schools
Specially adapted forms of the examen for use in schools.
Examination of Conscience for Secondary Schools
Specially adapted forms of the examen for use in colleges.