Family Mass

Everyone is invited to join us for our Family Mass this Saturday 26th October at 5pm. Please see the communications from Mrs Woodhouse if you would like to order a sausage sizzle for after Mass.

Liturgical Calendar

All Saint's Day Whole School Mass

On Friday 1st November the whole school will attend Mass at 9am to celebrate All Saints' Day. All families are welcome to attend Mass with us on this important day.

All Saints’ Day commemorates all the saints in heaven.

The feast dates back to the early Church, when communities would gather and celebrate the anniversary of the martyr’s death. During the persecution under the emperor Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century the number of martyrs became so great that a separate day could not be assigned to each saint, so the Church established a common feast day for all the martyrs.

Together we 'Grow in Strength',

Nicole Moss

Religious Education Coordinator

Family Educator News

Children's Novena For Mrs Burfield

We invite you to take a special moment to pray this novena for the sick with your children. This is a beautiful opportunity to teach them about the power of prayer and the importance of intercession.

As we pray for Leonie Burfield and any other loved ones who may need our prayers, let’s remind our children that asking God for help is a way we show love and support. Intercessory prayer is a powerful form of prayer, and together we can lift up those who are struggling and in need.

Thank you for taking this time as a family to connect in faith and love.

God bless

World Teachers’ Day

On behalf of all the staff I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful morning tea you provided in celebration of World Teachers' Day. Your generosity and thoughtfulness truly made the day special for all of the teachers and support staff, and it reminded us just how fortunate we are to be part of such a caring and supportive community.

The delicious treats were deeply appreciated by the entire staff. It’s moments like these that highlight the strong partnership between home and school, and we are grateful for the way you consistently show your appreciation and support.

Thank you again for making this day memorable for us, and for your ongoing commitment to the well-being of both our students and staff.

The ‘Hallow’ In Halloween

Many families feel unsure about celebrating Halloween. Some see trick-or-treating as another instance of American cultural influence, while others are concerned about its association with evil and pagan rituals, which could be inappropriate or even harmful for children. Although the roots of Halloween are uncertain, Halloween does have deep Christian roots, dating back to the eighth century when Pope Gregory III established All Hallows’ Day, or All Saints’ Day, on November 1st. This day honours all saints, whether officially recognised by the Church or not. Following it is All Souls’ Day on November 2nd, a time when we pray for all the deceased, including our loved ones.

Jack-O’-Lantern - For centuries, using light as a symbol of life in Christ, became part of Halloween (or "All Hallows' Eve") traditions to welcome good spirits and ward off evil ones. People would light candles and place them in hollowed-out vegetables, such as squash or turnips, and later, after the discovery of America, pumpkins.

Trick-or-Treat - Did you know the tradition of trick-or-treating is rooted in prayer? In the past, the poor, often children, would go from house to house offering prayers for the souls of deceased family members in exchange for small treats called a soul cake. This year, as you enjoy lollies and chocolate, take a moment to pray for the poor, especially poor children.

Costumes - Celebrate the true spirit of the season by dressing up as a saint! You could be St. Thomas More holding his severed head, St. Lucy with her eyes on a plate, St. Michael the Archangel in full armour or St. Padre Pio with stigmata. Use your costume as a chance to share your Catholic faith. Alternatively, you could think about recycling your book week costumes and going as a character from your favourite book or movie.

Celebrate the Saints! - If you are new to praying with saints, or looking for a refresher, use All Hallows as an opportunity to choose a saint to be your prayer companion for the year. You could pick one based on your name, birthday or a life story that inspires you. You can explore saints by name, patronage, and feast days online.

Pray - Consider praying the Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory this year. A novena is a prayer recited for nine consecutive days, offering a meaningful way to remember and pray for loved ones who have passed away.

Give Back - Why not design holy cards explaining the Christian custom of Halloween or a simple prayer. When you are given a treat, return the kindness by giving out your special holy card.

Our Deceased Family Members – This is a meaningful time to cherish memories of our loved ones who have passed away. Look through old photo albums, visit their graves, and most importantly, offer prayers for them. Children especially enjoy lighting candles and saying prayers for those they remember.

Our Living Family – We often avoid discussions about death, but it is the most certain part of life. This feast encourages us to reflect on our priorities and seize every chance to show love and appreciation to those around us. Take this opportunity to recognize and affirm a saintly quality or virtue you see in each family member.

Attend Mass - Begin your Halloween festivities by attending Mass. Many parishes offer Vigil Masses for All Saints’ Day, which is a Holy Day of Obligation. Before the trick or treating and parties begin, come to honour the One whose glory shines through the lives of the saints.

Have Fun! - Holiness doesn’t mean giving up joy! St. Teresa of Avila once prayed, “From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us!”. Enjoy the playful spirit of the day and remember: “Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

We would like to acknowledge our sources:

Busted Halo

Catholic Answers

Cath Family

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

In today’s digital age, our children are spending more and more time online, which unfortunately increases their vulnerability to certain risks. As parents and carers, we’re aware of these online dangers, but many of us may feel uncertain about how best to protect our kids, especially with ever-evolving digital trends and technologies.

To support you in navigating these challenges, Sydney Catholic Schools has invited Melinda Tankard Reist - a renowned Australian author, speaker, and advocate - to address the important topic of Digital Dangers and Our Kids. They are offering two separate sessions across different locations to ensure more families have the opportunity to attend.

These events are fully funded by Sydney Catholic Schools, including tickets, parking, and hospitality, so there is no cost to you.

Psalm 121:7-8 reminds us: “The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever.”

While we trust in God’s protection, we also have a vital role to play as guardians of our children. I encourage you to attend one of these sessions and equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to keep your children safe online.

Please use the links below to register. Registration is essential.

Monday, 28 October @Liverpool Catholic Club - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1283996

Tuesday, 29 October @Souths Juniors Kingsford - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1284036

We look forward to seeing you there.

Take care & God bless,

Ann Woodhouse, Family Educator

Nano's Lanterns

God Bless

Ann Woodhouse

Art News