OUR FAITH
PRAYER
God of justice, may we always be ready for your presence in our lives. May we have the wisdom to see you in the poor, the sick and the homeless. May we always be ready to open our hearts to you.
Amen
We pray ...
for..... our school community as we prepare for Lent and for all those who may be sick or suffering.
LITURGY NEWS
Beginning of the School Year Mass - Thank You
Thank you to all our parents and friends who were able to attend Mass last Friday. What a wonderful and fitting way to begin our school year. A special thanks to Fr Chris for presiding over the Mass and for making this a special occasion for all. Thank you also to the altar servers, readers, Mrs McGuirk and the angelic voices of the choir.
Commissioning of our School & House Captains
Yesterday our School and House Captains were commissioned into their elected positions. Fr Chris later blessed the captains calling upon the Holy Spirit to guide them in their roles throughout the year.
Family Masses
Our Family Masses have become an important part of our School culture over the past few years and these are usually held on the first Sunday of every month of the school term. Therefore our first Family Masses for this term will be held on Sunday 5th March (Kindergarten and Yr 6) and Sunday 2nd April (Yr 1 and Yr 5) at St Nicholas Church at 9.30a.m. These Masses are an opportunity for our School community to come together with our Parish Community to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word and to share a ‘cuppa ‘and morning tea afterwards.
Project Compassion Boxes
Next Wednesday each family will be receiving a small Project Compassion box to keep in their home during Lent. We are particularly encouraged during Lent to give greater attention those who might be in need.
One way we are able to do this as a Catholic Community is by supporting Project Compassion run by CARITAS Australia and over the next forty days of Lent we should be looking to make monetary contributions (big or small) to these boxes.
We are aware of many local families doing it tough given the current circumstances so prayers for those in need and random acts of kindness that don't cost money can be just as good as a monetary contribution!
SACRAMENTS
This year our Year 3 and Year 6 students will be involved in Sacramental Programs for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation respectively. These are important events in the life of our students, School and Parish and we look forward to sharing these occasions with our students. For new students enrolling at St Nicholas in 2023, if there is a Sacrament that they have missed receiving please contact Mrs Dunst as soon as possible
The following dates have been set aside for these special events:
DATES FOR 2023 SACRAMENTS
First Reconciliation - Year 3 - Wednesday 7th June 2023
First Eucharist - Year 3 - Weekend of 17th/18th June 2023 (please note date changes)
Confirmation - Year 6 - Weekend of 9th/10th September 2023
Please mark these dates on your family calendar.
Advanced notice: First Reconciliation and Frist Holy Communion (Year 3 students)
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation and program will begin early in Term 2 for our students and parents in Year 3. This will include a Parent Information and Enrolment Session at St Nicholas Church on Wednesday 29th March at 5.30pm or a repeat session on Saturday 1st April at 2.00pm. At least one parent is required to attend one of these sessions.
ALTAR SERVERS
Notes regarding Altar Serving have gone home with students in Years 4, 5, and 6 who expressed an interest in serving.
Training sessions for new altar servers will be provided. The training sessions will be conducted by Fr Chris and will be held on Thursday 23rd February at 4.00pm -5.00pm and Tuesday 28th February at 5.00 - 6.00pm at St Nicholas Church.
Attending at least one training session is required.
The more we have volunteer, the lesser the load for all those who wish to serve and currently serve.
St Nicholas Parish Masses are;
Saturday Evenings at 6.00pm at St Nicholas Church
Sunday Mornings at 7.30am at St Mary’s Church
Sunday Mornings at 9.30am at St Nicholas Church
Sunday Evenings at 5.30pm at St Nicholas Church
Notes are available from the office if your child has expressed interest in serving and has made their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist and did not receive a note. Completed notes to be returned to Mrs Dunst.
SHROVE TUESDAY
With Shrove Tuesday taking place before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, it was the day when Christians were encouraged to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season that would end 40 days and 40 nights later with Easter Sunday. Dating back to 1000 AD, over the years Shrove Tuesday not only became a day for Confession but a time for Catholics to feast on eggs, sugar and dairy which are traditionally restricted during the Lenten fast.
Staff and students will acknowledge Shrove Tuesday however our traditional pancake day on Shrove Tuesday is being postponed to a later date.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday Mass Years 3-6 – Wednesday 22nd February
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. To mark this occasion Years 3-6 will attend mass in the Undercroft area beginning at 9.30am. Normal Sport Uniform to be worn for this Mass. Parents and friends are warmly welcomed to join us at this Mass.
Kindergarten, Year 1 & Year 2 will receive the Ashes in a small Liturgy in their learning spaces.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. The practice of administering ashes on this day dates back to the Middle Ages. Ashes are intended to remind us of our human condition and that the things of this world are transitory. They are also a sign of repentance. The Ashes are made from burning the dry palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday and are placed on the foreheads in the sign of the cross with the words: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
All student will receive Ashes unless parents otherwise communicate with their child's class teacher.
