Education in Faith

Sacramental Dates for 2026

Parents please be aware of the following dates and note them in your calendar:

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 19th November 2026.
• Grade 3 will receive First Eucharist in Term 2 on Saturday, 13th June 2026.
• Grade 6 will receive Confirmation – Term 3 on Saturday, 29th  August 2026.

Reconciliation: baptised Catholics in Year 2.

Eucharist: baptised Catholics in Year 3 or who have celebrated their Reconciliation.

Confirmation: Year 6 Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

If you have any further questions regarding your child receiving these Sacraments, please feel free to contact me at the school.

SFS needs Altar Servers

SFS warmly invites Grade 3 - 6 students who have received their First Eucharist and are interested in becoming altar servers to attend the upcoming training session at St. Kevin’s Church on Sunday, 14th June at 3pm.

All altar servers and those interested in joining the ministry are invited to attend this training session.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to deepen their faith, serve the parish community, and learn more about the Mass.

We encourage all interested students to come along and participate in this special ministry. Thank you for supporting your child in this meaningful journey of faith and service. 

God Bless ~ Rozeta

St Patrick’s Cathedral and Mary MacKillop Centre

On Tuesday, 20th of May 2026 the seniors went to the St Patrick Cathedral and the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre in the city. 

We learnt about how a Cathedral is only called that because of the Bishop’s chair called Cathedra. We also learnt that the steps outside in the fountain were symbolic and meant the steps of life, seven gifts, seven Sacraments. 

I thought they were special and I connected it to the seven steps as the seven mortal sins and water from the fountain symbolised the washing away sins. 

At the Mary MacKillop centre we learnt how her family was too poor for school so she had to start working at the age of fifteen caring for her seven other siblings. Mary Mackillop started working at a school for those families who didn't have enough money. She was also a sister in a church. Thank you to Rozeta for organising our excursion and thank you to Father Fabian for sharing and teaching us about the beautiful St Patrick's Cathedral.         

-Ivy.F (Grade 6)

Amelia (Grade 3): My favourite part of the excursion was when we saw Mary MacKillop’s hair. I have never seen something like that before because it is so unique. She was a real person and she made a difference for the people struggling.

Nuthara (Grade 3): I loved walking in the city because it made me feel calm and peaceful. I have been to the city before but going with my friends made it extra special. I loved going on the train and laughing and sharing stories with my friends. 

Connor (Grade 4): My favourite part of the excursion was the Saint Mary MacKillop Centre. I loved seeing the actual wheelchair of Mary Mackillop and her hair on the cross. I think this is important because I finally was able to see that Saints are real. Mary MacKillop was a real person and she was Australian. That made me proud. 

Anok (Grade 4) My favourite part of the excursion to St Patrick’s was learning more about St Patrick and the great things he did and performing miracles. I also really enjoyed seeing the beautiful stained glass windows. Father Fabian was inspiring when he was talking to us and told us to always try our best we can be and that there is only one of me.

Rian (Grade 4) I thought the altar was the most interesting thing in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

The bishop’s chair and the golden eagle was cool. Mary MacKillop is a saint and there is a very old large statue outside the cathedral of her. He showed us how Mary MacKillop gave her life to charity. Fr  Fabian explained the stories of the 7 chapels of the cathedral which I also really enjoyed learning because the chapels also stood out. It was a great experience.

Oliver (Grade 4): My favourite thing was the tour of St Patrick’s Cathedral, because I love learning about Jesus and the Cathedral. I also enjoyed learning about how St Mary MacKillop is Australia’s first saint and how she helped the people who were poor and struggling. It reminds us to be just like her in our lives.

Morgan (Grade 5): I went to St Patrick's Cathedral for the first time this Tuesday and it was amazing.I learned so much from Father Fabian, Like the history of the Cathedral the Cathedra is a special chair which the bishop makes St Patrick’s Cathedral a Cathedral. He also told us about the altar and how it's important because it is used to hold the bread and the wine and it's the place where the priest prays. My favourite part was learning about the different chapels. I loved the stained glass in each of the chapels and it was so well thought out.  My favourite chapel was the Mary Mackillop one because of the statue.

Kristian (Grade 5): My favourite thing about the excursion was visiting the Saint Mary MacKillop centre, because I saw so many interesting items from her life and this was very cool. I loved seeing her wheelchair and noticing how different they look to our wheelchairs now, and I found it impressive she still did God’s work even after she was paralysed. 

Elijah (Grade 5): I loved going to the Cathedral, because it was so special and I have never been to a building so big. Did you know that the Cathedral is called that because of the Bishop’s chair which is called a cathedra, and that anywhere the chair goes is called a Cathedral.

Tigerjit (Grade 6): My favourite thing about the excursion was going on the train to the city. I loved this because I got to use public transport and engage with my peers and the public (respectfully).

Steve (Grade 6): My favourite thing about my excursion was our visit to the St Patrick’s Cathedral and I got to see the portrait of Mother Mary. She looked so beautiful and it symbolised something so sacred. Something new I learnt was that Saint Mary MacKillop had a stroke before she died and was in a wheelchair that didn’t look like a normal wheelchair today. She loved God so much that she continued to help others even though she was hurt and because she wanted to be like Jesus. 

Hanna B (Grade 6): My favourite thing about this excursion was seeing the altar and the Tabernacle in the Cathedral. I loved this because it made me feel so blessed and it was significant to see something so grand and beautiful. 

St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Heritage Centre Reflection ⛪

St. Patrick’s Cathedral:

At St Patrick’s Cathedral, I enjoyed the scavenger hunt but I really liked the tour with Father Fabian because the Cathedral was amazing and he explained every part of the Cathedral in depth. Another cool thing I learned was that a Church only becomes a Cathedral when the Bishop of the Diocese when his chair (the Cathedra) is placed there. I was in such awe of the amazing stained glass windows and the story each of them told.

St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop Heritage Centre:

At the heritage centre, I learned a lot about St Mary Mackillop that I didn’t already know. I find St Mary Makillop very fascinating because of the work she did and because her feast day is the 8th of August which is also my birthday. The Sisters told us that the exact heritage centre we were in was exactly where Mary walked when she was alive. It was also very astonishing to see objects that Mary Mackillop used, even her wheelchair she sat in for six years after she had a stroke. She had a stroke in 1901 and passed away in 1909 at the age of 67. But the coolest part of the whole excursion was seeing a relic of her hair.    

Overall, the excursion was really fun and I learned a lot about the Cathedral and St Mary Mackillop,  but here are the key highlights. 

 Avantika                                                     

Pentecost Sunday - Year A

On Pentecost we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples. The readings remind us that God’s Spirit brings courage, peace, unity, and new life.

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were gathered together, afraid and uncertain, when suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon them like a mighty wind and tongues of fire. They were transformed from fearful followers into courageous witnesses who proclaimed the Good News to people from every nation.

Pentecost is often called the “birthday of the Church” because it marks the moment the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and sent out into the world. The same Spirit is alive in us today.

The Holy Spirit may not come as wind or fire in our lives, but we experience the Spirit through moments of courage, kindness, forgiveness, wisdom, and hope. Whenever we stand up for what is right, help someone in need, forgive another person, or share God’s love, the Spirit is working through us.

Pentecost challenges us to ask:

• How is the Holy Spirit calling me to grow?

• What gifts has God given me to share?
• How can I bring peace and unity to others?

As followers of Christ, we are invited not to stay behind “locked doors” of fear, doubt, or selfishness, but to step out with faith and trust that the Holy Spirit walks with us.

The First Reading reminds us that the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things. God’s Spirit breaks down barriers of language, fear, and division. Even today, the Spirit calls us to use our gifts to bring hope, kindness, and truth to others.

In the Second Reading, St Paul reminds us that although we are all different, we belong to one body in Christ. Each person has unique gifts given by the Holy Spirit, and every gift is important.

Sometimes we compare ourselves to others or think our talents are too small to matter. Yet God works through every act of kindness, leadership, creativity, service, and compassion. The Spirit unites us as one community, each person contributing something valuable.

In the Gospel, the risen Jesus appears to the disciples and says, “Peace be with you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon them and sends them out on mission.

The disciples were hiding behind locked doors because of fear. Jesus enters their fear with peace, not judgement. He gives them the Spirit so they can continue His mission of forgiveness, mercy, and love.

This Gospel reminds us that the Holy Spirit helps us move beyond fear and live with courage and faith. Jesus continues to send us out to be peacemakers and witnesses of His love in our homes, schools, and communities.

Discussion Starters

1. Why do you think the disciples were afraid before receiving the Holy Spirit?
2. What symbols of the Holy Spirit appear in the reading from Acts?
3. How does the Holy Spirit help us in our everyday lives?
4. What gifts or talents has God given you to share with others?
5. What does it mean to be part of the “Body of Christ”?
6. When have you experienced peace during a difficult time?
7. How can we bring unity and kindness to our school or family?
8. What might Jesus be sending you to do today?

Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with Your peace, courage, and love. Help us to use our gifts to serve others and to share the Good News of Jesus wherever we go. Guide us to be people of kindness, forgiveness, and hope.

A Prayer to pray with your family

"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. 

Let us pray. O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose ~ Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART – SFS WINTER APPEAL

Our Winter Appeal is well underway. House baskets had a variety of items in them. Mini Vinnies counted the items in each House basket to allocate points to the Houses for items donated. They then collected the items to make room for more items to be donated next week. The results after our first week of our Winter Appeal:

Well done SFS! We already have a total of 82 items! 

A reminder to parents that any food items donated must be before the used by or best before date. We are not able to give out food that is out of date. Unfortunately, last year quite a bit of food was thrown out due to the fact that it was expired.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

Students will continue to be given points for demonstrating Community Spirit, in particular our PBL Values. Students are also being given points for the items they donate to our Winter Appeal which will assist those in our community who are struggling this winter. These points have been added to the Community Spirit House points.

Well done Patrick! However, it’s only Term 2 and the points are so close!

AND NOW FROM MINI VINNIES…..

THANK YOU, MINI VINNIES!

I would like to thank the Mini Vinnies for always being willing to give up their lunchtime to count points, food and toiletry donations and then checking used by or best before dates on the food donated before placing them in bags. You are definitely making a difference, leading by example in our school and within our community. Thank you!

Giuliana

Mini Vinnies Facilitator 

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au