Family Educator News
Father's Day Celebration: Friday 5th September. Dads and students are invited to wear their favourite sports jersey and bring in a gold coin to help raise funds for the Charitable Works Fund which funds the work of supporting vulnerable communities in the Sydney Archdiocese.
Are You a Green Thumb or Just Know a Thing or Two About Gardening? I Need Your Expertise!
As spring approaches, we’re excited to breathe new life into our raised garden beds during Monday morning Playgroup sessions. This sunny, sheltered space is perfect for growing herbs and vegetables, and we’d love your help to make it flourish!
If you're a parent or grandparent with a green thumb (or just a love for the outdoors), we’d be thrilled if you could share your knowledge and passion with us. Our vision is to create a vibrant garden that not only feeds our community but also gives children the joy of planting, nurturing, and harvesting and a heart to care for creation. If this is you, please contact me here and lets get planning!
Build Your Own Christmas Masterpiece – Gingerbread House Night!
Join us for a magical evening of festive fun as you and your child create your very own Christmas gingerbread house together! This hands-on event is a wonderful opportunity to make sweet memories and a delicious masterpiece to take home.
Date: Tuesday, 18 November 2025
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: Possum Playground
Note: Due to limited space, only one parent per family may attend.
Your booking includes: Gingerbread house pieces, 10” round base board, 300g of preloaded icing, Cellophane wrap & ribbon fastener, A selection of lollies to decorate.
Feel free to bring your own extra lollies to add even more sparkle and sweetness to your creation! Cost: $35 per family (includes one house kit) Booking Deadline: Monday, 13 October. No booking, no kit – bookings are essential! Book below:
Our Hearts of Hope Initiative Featured in Catholic Weekly!
PARENT EXCURSION OPPORTUNITY
You are warmly invited to a special event marking the Jubilee Year of Hope! This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and grandparents to immerse themselves in the richness and beauty of the Catholic faith, and to receive the graces available through the plenary indulgence offered during this Jubilee Year. We will be guided by Dr Robert Haddad, whose deep knowledge of the art and architecture of our beautiful Cathedral will enrich your experience. It promises to be an inspiring and uplifting occasion.
What is a Plenary Indulgence and Why Does it Matter?
In simple terms, a plenary indulgence is a special grace the Catholic Church offers to help people experience a fresh start with God. It’s about hope, healing, and renewal.
During the Jubilee Year of Hope (2025), Pope Francis has invited people around the world to rediscover the beauty of faith and the mercy of God. As part of this, the Church is offering a plenary indulgence, a spiritual gift that removes the lingering effects of sin (what the Church calls “temporal punishment”) for those who are sincerely trying to grow closer to God. Think of it like this, even when we’re forgiven, the consequences of our actions can still weigh us down. A plenary indulgence is like a spiritual reset button, it helps clear that weight, not just for ourselves, but even for loved ones who have passed away.
Ways to Celebrating our Catholic faith through September!
September is full of beautiful feast days that can spark meaningful conversations and moments of prayer at home. Here are a few simple ways families can connect faith with everyday life:
Sept 8 Nativity of Mary: Bake a birthday cake for Mary! Talk about how God chose her to be the mother of Jesus and how we can say “yes” to God in our own lives.
Sept 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross: Place a cross in a special spot at home. Share what the cross means to each family member, as a symbol of hope, love, sacrifice, or strength.
Sept 15 Our Lady of Sorrows: Light a candle and pray for someone who is suffering. Mary understands pain, she walks with us in hard times.
Sept 21 Feast of St Matthew: Take some quiet time together to read the story of St. Matthew’s call (Matthew 9:9–13). Then, invite each family member to share one way they can follow Jesus more closely this week, whether through kindness, honesty, or helping someone in need.
Sept 23 St. Padre Pio: Try a moment of quiet prayer together. St. Pio loved silence and listening to God. Ask: “Where do we feel God’s presence?”
Sept 29 Feast of the Archangels: Draw or name your guardian angel. The Church teaches that each one of us is assigned a guardian angel at the moment of our conception. The angel is there to guide and protect us through life. Talk about how angels protect and guide us, maybe a moment where you felt like there was an angel protecting or guiding you, and say a short prayer of thanks.