Prayer

Dear God

Please give us the strength and resilience to face whatever challenges may come our way,

and help us to be a source of love and support for those around us.

We pray for Your protection and care for all those in need,

and for Your wisdom and discernment to guide us in making good choices.

We trust in Your love and care for us,

and we thank You for Your continued presence in our lives.

Thank you for Your ability to make greater good come out of any difficulty we face.

Amen

Dear St Martha’s Families

Let’s thank God for this probable miracle that has just taken place this week in Fatima, Portugal:

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2023/08/08/miracle-fatima-sight-wyd-245809

Speaking of youth, St Martha’s School is (together with some local Catholic Primary Schools) once again, this year, making HSC Packs for the students of the local Catholic High Schools: St Vincent’s College Ashfield and Domremy Five Dock. We will prepare a small pack for the students who are doing their HSC this year.

If your family would like to write a wishing-well-message for a HSC student, could you please email me (elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au) by Friday 18 August and I will give a printed card (as shown here below) to your child/ren to bring home so that your family can write a message for a HSC student. Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.

Parenting tip

Here is a reminder about the importance of praising the process and the effort, rather than the intelligence and abilities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWv1VdDeoRY

Assumption of Mary: 15 August

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be celebrated at St Martha’s Catholic Church on Tuesday 15 August at 7.30 am, 11.40 am (with the school community), and 6.00 pm.

St Monica’s Feast Day: 27 August

Tips on motherhood & marriage to please be emailed by 18 August;
Novena starting on 18 August.

27 August is St Monica’s Feast Day. St Monica is the Patron Saint of wives and mothers.

I will be putting together a booklet with some tips/quotes on motherhood and marriage.

I’d be very grateful if you could please email me (elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au) by Friday 18 August any tips/pieces of advice/quotes you have on motherhood and marriage. Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom.

If you need prayers for a crucial intention, St Monica has long been known for her powerful intercession. For many years, Monica prayed fervently for the conversion of her pagan husband and her rebellious son. Through her perseverance, her son eventually converted and became one of the greatest Saints and philosophers: Saint Augustine.

If you’d like to join me in praying a Novena to St Monica, for yourself, a mum, a wife, or for a conversion within your family, please email me at elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au by Thursday 17 August and I’ll email you the daily reminders of the Novena to St Monica.

Storytime

Storytime will resume in the St Martha’s school hall in Term 4 on Thursday 12 October 2023 and will run on the following dates from 8:45 am to 10 am:

Thursday 12 October 2023;
Thursday 26 October 2023;
Thursday 9 November 2023;
Thursday 23 November 2023;
Thursday 7 December 2023.

If you’d like to receive weekly Bible stories & art and craft/school prep activities this term, please email elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au, thank you.

Family Masses this Term

K-2 Family Mass: Sunday 13 August at 10 am at St Martha’s Catholic Church, followed by morning tea
3-6 Family Mass: Sunday 10 September at 10 am at St Martha’s Catholic Church, followed by morning tea

Online Workshop for Parents, Grandparents, and Carers.

All parents, grandparents, and carers are warmly invited to email me at elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au by Wednesday 16 August to let me know:

What are your preferred weekdays/weekend days, and what are your most suitable time for upcoming online parenting workshops are;
What topics you’d like to be covered.

Save the Date!

Wednesday 8 November 2023: All parents, carers, grandparents, and preschoolers are warmly invited to a Day Pilgrimage to St Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. If you’re interested in attending the pilgrimage to St Mary MacKillop’s place on 8 November, could you please email elena.razzoli@syd.catholci.edu.au at your earliest convenience

Prayer Intentions

If your family has any prayer requests, please don’t hesitate to email me at elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au at any time. If you’d like to, your prayer intentions can also be placed in our next school newsletter and the whole St Martha’s community can pray for your intentions.

Upcoming events and retreats

You’re all warmly invited to the following upcoming retreats and events. If you'd like to register or if you have any questions, please email elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au, thank you.

God Wants to Meet us in the Valley of Humility

Recently, a St Martha’s mum was humbly sharing with me and another mum how she realized she’s often confessing the same sin over and over. I think many of us can relate to this mum.

This weekend, I’d like to invite you all to sit down with a cuppa and enjoy this talk on ‘Why can’t I change?’ - Wisdom from St Thérèse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pltkzwMOIvk

Wishing you all a beautiful and restful weekend

Mrs. Elena Razzoli

Family Educator elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au

Dates to Remember