Last Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of the need to examine ourselves and to avoid passing any judgement on others. Generally there is a tendency within us to find fault in others and point the finger at them. The Gospel presents a sharp contrast between the cruelty of the scribes and Pharisees and the compassion of Jesus. The scribes and Pharisees had no regard for the woman who had sinned and brought her to Jesus. They were only interested in using her to try to trap Jesus.

Jesus knew what they were up to and as usual was full of compassion. He handled this serious offence delicately. He challenged both the accused and the accusers: he called on both to look deep into their hearts and examine them.

Jesus’ final words to the woman were “Go away and don’t sin any more”. Jesus transformed her into a new person.

Jesus placed a bigger challenge before the accusers. He asked them to consider their own actions and their own shortcomings. He told them to look into themselves before passing any judgement on others. They knew too well that they had to be honest regarding their sinfulness and they could not publicly accuse a person while they were sinful.

If we had been there that day, what would we have done? Would we have condemned the guilty woman too? Even during the past week, how many people have we condemned in our hearts or in our words? In our society the instinct is to punish and even destroy the wrongdoer. Are we regular readers of newspapers, magazines or watchers of TV programs which delight in putting people down and publicisng problems in their private lives? Every day we see the media condemning and even claiming to be "shocked" by the misdemeanours of the famous and the not so famous. How do we think Jesus would deal with such people?

How many people have we ourselves passed judgement on? On the other hand, how many have we extended a hand of love and compassion to? In these last weeks of Lent, let our challenge be to not just refrain from throwing the stones, but being a part of restoring wrongdoers to the community.

ANZAC Day
This year our school will still participate in the Mittagong march even though it is in the holidays. We would appreciate any students and family members who are able to represent our school in this significant Australian event to join us. Could any students attending please wear their winter school uniform and meet at the Visitors' Centre in Mittagong at 10.15am.

Due to ANZAC day falling during the school holidays, there will be no staff attending this year’s dawn service.

Kinder Enrolments
This is the last week for applications for Kindergarten for 2020. If you have not returned forms or know of someone who needs an application please take care of this by Friday.

Girls’ Summer Uniform
Thank you to the large number of people who responded to the survey. The results are overwhelmingly in support of the dress with the red trim.

Mimosa have quite a few of the current style uniforms still in stock that they are selling at a reduced price. As the new uniform will be phased in over a two year period, the current uniform can continue to be worn. If you were considering a new uniform, a second uniform or want to last out the time your daughter has left with us, as they are in Years 5 & 6 you might consider purchasing one of those uniforms. Attached is an order form for you to complete, just as you do with the shirts. If we put the order in through the school the dresses will be at a heavily reduced price of $30 each so it will be first in best dressed.