Religious Education 

Welcome back to the 2024 school year.

Last week the Sacramental Team met at St Mary’s to discuss and plan dates for our children’s Sacramental Celebrations. A Parent Information Night will take place in the ‘Gathering Space’ at St Mary’s Church next Thursday 15th February. Parents and candidates can attend either the 4:00 pm or 7:00 pm time slot.

On Monday 19th February preparation for Reconciliation begins. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place during March and the Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist will occur around the month of August.

A letter will be sent home with students that are enrolled as being baptised Catholic. If you do not receive a letter and wish to, or have any queries please contact Julie Leonard.

Next week we begin preparing for the Season of Lent beginning with Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday or Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday, the day we use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar before commencing 40 days of Lent, a time for prayer and fasting. Lent is a season lasting forty days, marking the time of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert. 

Students will write messages of promise that will be used in the small burning of the ashes ceremony held on Tuesday. These ashes will be used to make the sign of the cross on our foreheads on the following day which is Ash Wednesday. Ashes used on Ash Wednesday are traditionally made from the burning of palms blessed in the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration. The Year 4-6 classes will attend the 10:00am Ash Wednesday Mass at St Mary’s Church. The Year 1-3 classes will remain at school and attend an Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Parents are most welcome to attend.

Julie Leonard - Religious Education Leader & Wellbeing Leader