Catholic Identity 

In this newsletter...

• Our Lady's Grotto

• Project Compassion

• Stations of the Cross

• Sacramental Program 2025

• Pilgrim Image of Mary

• School Masses

• Community Masses 2025

Our Lady's Grotto - Help Needed

As you would have seen, we have a beautiful statue of Mary that we use during Mass and other celebrations. Some families may remember that this statue was purchased with the view of building a grotto to place it into. This grotto area will become an area of reflection and prayer in our school yard. 

We are hoping to complete this project this year to mark the Jubilee. 

We require some one to draw up some simple plans for the structure and surrounding area. If know of someone who works as a carpenter, bricklayer or a landscape gardener that could complette these drawing, please let me know. 

Also, if you are able to provide assistance in building, either concreting, carpentry, bricklaying, lanscaping etc, please contact me. 

Project Compassion 2025

Lent and the annual Project Compassion drive are well underway. Thank to everyone whohas already donated genoursly to our school's fundraising efforts for Project Compassion. As we approach the end of the term, there will be a couple of exciting ways we hope to promote giving to this wonderful cause. 

On Tuesday 1st April, Week 10, we will be having a casual clothes day. Students are asked to bring in a gold coin donation for this. 

We will also be having a 'heaviest Project Compassion box" competition. On the Thursday of Week 10, the Social Justice leaders will weight each learning group's box, and the students from the group that has the heaviest box will win an Easter chocolate each. 

Stations of the Cross

We will gathering for a reflective Stations of the Cross on Thursday 3rd April, Week 10. They will begin at 9am. They will begin at 9am. We would like to invite everyone in our school community to join us. 

Sacramental Program 2025

First Reconciliation

On Tuesday evening, students from Years 3-6 celebrated the Sacrament of First Reconciliation.  It was lovely to have a large number of family and friends attend. We are also very thankful to our three parish priests who came to celebrate with us. 

Congratulations to the following students:

First Eucharist

The children below have indicated that they would like to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist, or First Holy Communion. If your child’s name is not on the list below and you believe it should be, please contact me as soon as possible. To receive the Sacrament of Eucharist, children must be baptised Catholic or have been welcomed into the Catholic Church, and celebrate First Reconciliation.

Dates to remember for those celebrating First Eucharist:

Pilgrim Image

During this Jubilee Year, we will once again be offering the opportunity to take home our 'Pilgrim Image' of Mary for a weekend during Semester 1. 

During your chosen weekend you can place the image in a special place of honour in your home and use it as a focus for your family prayer.  There will also be a booklet inside that has some prayers you may like to pray together as a family. There will also be blank pages on which you are invited to create a special family prayer to Mary. Other families may choose to pray your prayer also when they host the image in their homes.

Using the School Interviews link below, choose a Friday/Weekend that best suits you.

John, or your child's teacher, will give the carry bag, with the image and prayer booklet, to your child in the afternoon on the Friday of your booking. You will then take it home for the weekend.

Please return the carry bag, image and booklet to John or your child's teacher the following Monday morning.

BOOK AT:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/zzvgw

School Masses

Please find below all of the scheduled school Masses for 2025. These will begin at 9am this year, so we are hoping many more families can join us at this earlier time. All are welcome!

Community Masses in 2025

SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Community Mass Dates

Last Sunday, we had our first Community Mass of 2025. It was wonderful to have so many families attend. In addition, there were several people in attendance from the local community. We are hoping to see as many people, both from within the school community and beyond, in order to build up the congregation.

We encourage you to spread the word of our Community Masses and invite as many family, friends, neighbours and others to these celebrations. 

Follow and like the Wyndham Vale Catholic Community Facebook page to get updates and further information about Community Masses and other events. 

John Dini

jdini@olscwyn.catholic.edu.au 

Catholic Identity Leader