Education in Faith

Reconciliation Week

This week we recognise Reconciliation Week. National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) is a special time for all Australians to learn about our shared history. It is a week where we think about how we can build a fairer, more loving country. We focus on growing strong, respectful friendships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. As Catholics, the word reconciliation is already a big part of our faith journey. It means fixing what is broken and making peace.

This Year's Theme: "All In"  This means reconciliation is not a job for just a few people—it needs everyone! Just like Jesus calls every single one of us to be His hands and feet in the world, we are all invited to be "all in" to build a kind, fair, and united Australia.

Prayer

Prayer: In solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, let us pray:

God of Love, You are the creator of this land and of all good things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history and the suffering of our peoples – especially the grief of those who were taken as children from their homes and families, taken from all they knew and loved.

We ask your forgiveness.

We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures.

Give us the courage to acknowledge the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our nation.

Teach us to respect all cultures.

Teach us to care for our land and waters.

Help us to share justly the resources of this land.

Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.

Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem in the ways of your Spirit.

May the power of your love be the foundation on which we build our families, our communities and our nation.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Spirit Day

Last Friday, 22nd May, we joyfully celebrated our school’s feast day, Spirit Day. This special occasion is always held as close as possible to the Feast of Pentecost and provides a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together in faith, joy and celebration.

There was a wonderful sense of excitement across the school throughout the day. Students were welcomed in the morning by streams of bubbles,  we then gathered as a school community for a beautiful Mass led by Father Arsenio. Following the Mass, our talented choir and rock band entertained us with two wonderful performances.

To continue the celebrations, we sang “Happy Birthday” to our school and shared a beautiful cake generously donated by the P&F. We also captured the occasion with a whole-school drone photo — a special memory for our community.

Before lunch, our  Grade 6 students led a range of activities for the younger students. These activities were filled with fun while also helping students build meaningful connections with one another and strengthen their sense of belonging within our school community.

A sincere thank you to everyone who helped make Spirit Day such a success — our dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, Father Arsenio, and our ever-supportive Parents and Friends Committee. Your support and involvement helped create a truly memorable day for all.

Winter Appeal

Next week we will begin our St. Vinnies Winter appeal to support the parish. We ask that students bring in non- perishable goods and toiletries for those people in our community that need support. 

Items needed are: 

Pasta & pasta sauce, noodles & rice

sweet biscuits, savoury biscuits, cheese and biscuits dip, muesli bars, tinned soups,

vegemite, jam, honey, peanut butter, cereal,

tea, coffee and milo, long life milk,

toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, combs/brushes, deodorant,

tinned tuna and salmon,

tinned vegetables - tomatoes, beans, corn, etc

snacks -potato chips, corn chips, salsa, chocolate or sweets  and any other grocery items. 

Thanks so much for your generosity.

Our Parish support many people in our community that may need a helping hand. At the moment the cupboards at the parish are literally bare. Please give wht you can.

 At school we will be talking about the Catholic Social Teaching: Preferential Treatment of the Poor. This means caring for those who are less well off is everyone’s responsibility. Preferential care should be shown to vulnerable and marginalised people, whose needs and rights are given special attention in God’s eyes.

Class Masses for term 2

This term we will continue with Wednesday class masses. These are held in the Chapel at 9:15 am. Families are warmly invited to join classes for these Masses. Tea and and coffee is available after Mass in the Parish house. We do ask that you don't bring coffee into the Church or Chapel.

Sacrament of First Eucharist

The Eucharist  workshops:

Wednesday 3rd of June 

For students - all day in the Church

For students and parents from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the Church.

The Sacrament of Eucharist

Saturday 13th June at 6:00pm

Sunday 14th June at 9:00am

Sunday 14th June at 5:00pm

The Sacrament of First Reconciliation

First Reconciliation workshop 

Wednesday 15th July at 5:00pm to 6:00pm

First Reconciliation Ceremony 

Wednesday 29th July at 5:00pm and 7:00pm

More details will be sent out in the next couple of weeks to Year 3 Parents.

Parish News

This Friday 29th May we have the Biggest Morning Tea in the Community Centre from 9am till 12 noon.  Why not get a group of mums (and dads) together and join in the activities and at the same time help raise funds for Cancer Research.  If you can bake a goodie or two for the cake stall, it would be really appreciated.

If you are a Mass Coordinator or Lector for the Parish, this Sunday 31st May at 10.00 am there will be a training course run by Mary Ryan and Judy Barber.  It is expected that all mass coordinators and lectors attend.  There will be tea and coffee served afterwards.

On Thursday 4th June at 10.00 am in the Parish House, will be the fortnightly meeting of the Men’s Group.  If you would like to attend for a friendly chat and cuppa, please feel free to come along and join in the fun.

On the weekend of 6th-7th June we have the monthly $2.00 Vinnies Collection.  There will be collectors at the door after each mass.  And remember, it doesn’t have to be $2.00.  Any donation will be greatly accepted and all monies go to help those less fortunate in our very own community.

Thank you everyone and enjoy the week ahead and stay warm.

Blessings from the Parish House.

 Ruth Frangeskakis

Parish Secretary

Holy Spirit Parish