FAITH MATTERS

As mentioned in the last newsletter, the annual St Vinnies Winter Appeal was launched early May. Our school community is going to be involved, but it will run a little differently this year.

All Homerooms have been asked to put together a ‘shopping list’ for a family (non-perishable items only). Students are then asked to bring in money to cover the cost of one item (or more) from the shopping list. Once all the money is in, a couple of senior students will go to the supermarket and do the shopping! We will then look at our options of how we are going to donate the items to St Vinnies. For many years we have invited members from the local St Vinnies conference to our Hearts and Hands Mass to receive our donations. However, due to restricted numbers and conditions we will need to do something different.

Beginning next term, the Faith and Mission Committee will begin operating a second-hand clothing store called “MK Wardrobe”. 

The idea behind this is to offer pre-loved (sometimes new) clothes to students in our school community for a small donation. The committee recognises we live in a society of fast-fashion which leads to an enormous amount of fashion waste. They also recognise that not everyone can afford to ‘keep up’ with the latest trends! 

MK Wardrobe will operate one lunchtime a week. Students are invited to have a browse at the clothes on offer and, if they like something, to offer a small donation. All monies donated will go directly to our local St Vinnies. It is a great initiative from the Faith and Mission Committee!

As the term comes to an end, it’s nice to take a moment and reflect on the things to be grateful for. I am indeed grateful we could celebrate CESH (Catholic Education Swan Hill) with a Mass during Catholic Education Week. Celebrating Liturgy together was certainly something I missed last year. Hopefully next year the entire school communities of St Mary’s Primary School and St Mary MacKillop College can be together to celebrate!

I am also grateful for the work of the Faith and Mission Committee. The group are eager to work together, offer help when needed and work with me, as their mentor and discuss ideas. I thank them for all they do.

We thank you Lord, for this term. 

For the challenges, the successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. 

Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.

Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith. 

Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others. 

To be peacemakers in our family. 

Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. 

We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us. 

May we always be conscious of you in our lives. 

Amen.

Jesus light of the world guide us,

St Joseph journey with us,

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop pray for us.

I wish everyone a restful and peaceful break. It has certainly been a busy term!