Family and Faith

Year 6 Parish Confirmation Program

This week was the second session of the program and everyone seems eager to learn more about their faith and share their personal faith journeys.

Session 1 - Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit.

Session 2 - Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Comes.

Session 3 - The Work of the Holy Spirit: Gifts and Fruits and Celebrating Confirmation.

The Year 6 candidates will participate in a Reflection Day on Friday 28th June and will receive the Sacrament of the Confirmation on Sunday 30th June.

Vinnies Winter Appeal and Sleepout

Mr Anthony Cleary, the Director of Mission & Identity of Sydney Catholic Schools participated in the 2024 Vinnies CEO Winter Sleepout. He recently released a video explaining his personal involvement and commitment to the Vinnies Sleepout. The Sleepout is not just about raising money, it is also about raising awareness of the problem of homelessness and the needs of homeless people. 

Please click on the link below to view Mr Cleary speak about the event for the 2024 CEO Winter Sleepout.

Pope Francis Awards Program

Here are more photos of our Year 6 Pope Francis students earning after school service hours by assisting at the OLF Preschool and Long Daycare Centre. 

After some light cleaning (like windows) tidying, and setting up activities, the Year students played with the preschoolers. The Preschool teachers absolutely love it when our Year 6 students visit!

Would you like to be a Catechist? 

An invitation from the CCD Sydney Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Supporting Catechists in the Archdiocese of Sydney has been issued to Catholic parents and carers willing to share their faith with children in the public school system.

The writings of Pope Francis and Bishops around the world have highlighted that ‘Parents are the most influential agents of catechesis for their children. They have a unique responsibility for the education of their children; they are the first educators or catechists. They catechize primarily by the witness of their Christian lives and by their love for the faith.’

This is why we believe parents would also make great Catechists in Public Schools and we know they benefit from learning how to pray with children and talk about God to promote making good, life-giving choices.

If interested please contact CCD Sydney by email: office@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au or phone them on 9307 8330.

Friday Fatima Friends 

This week Fatima Friends enjoyed participating in musical activities in the Music Room. Mr Parlatto visited and said hello and played music on his guitar while we set up the Prayer Space for prayer. We learned the 5 Finger Prayer, sang and played percussion instruments and finished our session with a dance - I’ll Follow Jesus. 

Unfortunately, there will be NO Friday Fatima Friends on the following days due to school events:

Friday 21st June: Sports Carnival Yr 3- Yr 6

Friday 28th June: Yr 6 Confirmation Retreat Day

Friday 5th July: Staff Development Day

Refugee Week

This week we remembered Refugee Week. The theme is: Finding Freedom: Family

Finding Freedom: Family

This theme invites us to explore the stories of refugees who, despite the challenges they encounter, discover a source of freedom within the embrace of their families. Whether it’s the unwavering support of parents, the protective love between siblings, or the communal strength found in extended and chosen families, neighbours, support systems upon arrival in Australia or the financial and emotional backbones that make the journey to safety possible, these connections become a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty.

Who is a refugee?

‘Refugee’ is used commonly to refer to people who are forced to leave their homes for many reasons, including conflict and violence. Sometimes it is used to also refer to a person displaced due to a natural disaster or environmental change.

But the term ‘refugee’ has a more specific meaning under international law.

The most widely accepted legal definition of refugee is in the Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee as:

Any person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country.

What are the aims of Refugee Week?

The aims of Refugee Week are:  

• to educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia; 
• to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia;  
• to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community;  
• to focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees;  
• for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, people seeking asylum and displaced people, within Australia but also around the world; and 
• for service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees.  

For more information please visit:  Refugee Week Theme 2024 - Finding Freedom: Family 

Shire Women’s Event - Now coming next term!

The Sutherland Shire Family Educators WILL be hosting a Women’s Event but not on 24th June as previously mentioned. Unfortunately, the Family Educators have had to reschedule the date due to unforeseen circumstances. More info coming your way next term on this event.

Wishing you a comfy cosy weekend sharing quality family time.

Please keep the Year 6 Confirmation candidates in your prayers.

Tracey Bowler | Family Educator

tracey.bowler@syd.catholic.edu.au