Education in Faith

Grade 4 First Eucharist Parent/Child Workshop

Thank you to our Grade 4 students and their families who joined us for the Sacrament of First Eucharist Parent/Child Workshop last Thursday 22 May. This was a lovely evening, with opportunities for parents/carers to hear a bit more about the Sacrament, for students to reflect on their personal journey, and for families to work together writing a prayer. 

Dear Lord, I am looking forward to receiving my First Eucharist. I hope it brings me closer to God. Amen

Henry E

Dear God, thank you for this special day of the Eucharist. Please guide me to be loving and caring. Help me to always follow in your footsteps and show me the way. Thank you for lovinig me. Amen

Yazmin P

Dear Lord, with a grateful heart I celebrate the Sacrament of my First Eucharist. Thank you for your love and kindness. I look forward to walking with you for the rest of my life. Please can you keep all my loved ones safe and loved. I appreciate the sacrament I am making with my family and friends. Amen

Cleo V

Prep Prayer in PJs

What a beautiful evening we had last night for our Prep Prayer in PJs Parent/Child Workshop. This was another great opportunity for children and their parents/carers to chat about faith. Specifically, we talked about different types of prayer, reasons we pray, how we pray at OLA and how we can incorporate prayer more into our homes. Thank you to all those who came along!

Junior Class Prayer Services

Throughout this term, each Grade 1 and 2 class will have the opportunity to participate in a class prayer service in the classrooms. These prayer services are a wonderful opportunity for our families to come and share in and experience prayer at OLA, being one of the most well attended, supported and heart warming opportunities. All families are welcome.

Parents are invited to bring a small plate of food to share in a morning tea afterwards.

We congratulate 2MV on their beautiful prayer service yesterday. 

Dates for the other class prayer services:

• Grade 2EB Thursday 5 June 9am
• Grade 1ET Thursday 12 June 9am
• Grade 1ES Thursday 19 June 9am

St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal

Who is experiencing homelessness?

Homelessness in Australia has grown significantly. In 2021 122,949 people were recorded as homeless. Nearly a quarter of all people experiencing homelessness are from 12-24 years of age. People over the age of 55 represented 1 in 7 of people experiencing homelessness. 56% of the homeless population are males, 44% are females, 25% are First Nations and 30% were born overseas. 

What leads to homelessness?

One of the reasons of homelessness is because rental housing is becoming more expensive.

Some people with health challenges also don’t have access to appropriate care.

For young people homelessness is not a choice, it often happens because of changes in family life or loss. 

What are the impacts of homelessness?

For some families homelessness is a hard time that many families struggle if they are going through it. It can disrupt education, lives and things you enjoy. Studies show that people who experience homelessness die 22 to 33 years before the person with the average household. There is a 63% increase in preventable deaths for people experiencing homelessness. Some households are food insecure so they are skipping meals. They sometimes don’t eat for 2 days so they can keep a roof over their head. Families reduce buying meat and dairy products and cleaning products and toiletries.

How can we help at OLA?

We can help at OLA by donating food to the people who need help. We must be grateful for what we have, because the homeless don’t have a lot of resources to help them. We want to make the human society more helpful to people in need. Things you can donate:

• Pasta
• Rice 
• Canned food or other non-perishable food
• Gloves
• Jumpers
• Blankets
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Deodorant

Please bring any donations to your classrooms by the end of term. 

Ollie W, Alex F, Xavier M and Oscar J

OLA Mini Vinnie Leaders

Caitlan Taig

Religious Education Leader