Family Educator News
Parent Outreach: Be the Heart of Our Community – Volunteer with Us!
On Tuesday, July 29th (Week 2, Term 3), St Anthony’s will be preparing and serving food for those in need at the Eastlakes Community Centre — and we’d love your help!
There are three meaningful ways you can get involved:
- Donate Food ItemsDrop off sandwich ingredients from our list on Monday, July 28th.
- Make SandwichesJoin us in the School Staffroom from 9:00–10:00am to prepare the food together.
- Serve the CommunityCome along to the Eastlakes Community Centre at 10:30am to help serve sandwiches, tea, and coffee.The service runs until 2:00pm, but even if you can only stay for part of the time, your presence will be appreciated.
To participate, please add your name to the sign-up sheet, indicating how you’d like to help. If you’re donating food, let us know which items you’ll be bringing.
This is a wonderful opportunity to live out our school values of love and service and make a real difference in the lives of others.Thank you for your generosity and support!
Mend Hearts with Us – One Stitch at a Time
Every Monday (during playgroup) and Friday morning from 9–10 am, we’ll gather in the Library to sew and package these hearts with a message of prayer and support, then deliver them to local hospital palliative care units. We welcome parents, carers, grandparents, and siblings — no sewing experience needed, just a willing heart. 📍 Where: St Anthony’s Library🕘 When: Monday & Friday mornings 👪 Who: All welcome - No need to register — pop in for a few minutes or stay the hour.
Parent & Children Confirmation Retreat Morning
You're Invited! Parents are warmly invited to join their children for a special morning of Mass, a sacramental craft session, and morning tea on Friday, 20th June from 9:00–11am. Together, you’ll create a ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ prayer chain and explore how the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are activated in our lives through the grace of Confirmation. 🕊️ RSVP is essential for catering – please click on the flyer to confirm your attendance. We look forward to sharing this meaningful time with you!
Thank you to Mary & Maya Cantrill for these beautiful photos of their sunflowers!
"Maya and I just wanted to send you a picture of our large sunflowers as we eagerly await for them to flower. We planted the seeds you kindly gave us for Lent. We have three that have sprouted which Maya has named, one is herself, one is James and the other is me. We will update you again once they have fully grown and flowered."
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:
Whole School Family Mass to celebrate St Anthony's Feast Day.
Please join us to celebrate the Feast of St Anthony at our whole school Family Mass on Saturday 14th June at 5pm followed by a light supper of homemade Foccacia bread, to commemorate the tradition of St Anthony's bread and Hot Chocolate.
Introducing Our New Outreach Initiative: St Anthony's Hearts of Hope.
Grief touches every life. For families keeping vigil at the bedside of a dying loved one, the days and nights can feel long, lonely, and exhausting. We know this personally. When my mother was dying, we sat by her side for three weeks. During that time, someone gifted us a bundle of small, knitted hearts made by volunteers. Their kindness moved us deeply. Each of my siblings now keeps one of those hearts as a reminder of Mum — and of the love of strangers who cared.
That simple act of compassion inspired our new outreach initiative, St Anthony’s Hearts of Hope. These handmade felt hearts may be small, but they carry a powerful message:
"You are seen. You are loved. We are praying for you."
Every Friday morning from 9–10 am, we’ll gather in the Library to sew and package these hearts with a message of prayer and support, then deliver them to local hospital palliative care units.
We welcome parents, carers, grandparents, and siblings — no sewing experience needed, just a willing heart.
📍 Where: St Anthony’s Library🕘 When: Friday mornings👪 Who: All welcome
We launch during National Palliative Care Week on Friday, May 23rd. No need to register — pop in for a few minutes or stay the hour. Every heart matters.
Friday 13th June: Parent & Grandparent Excursion Opportunity
Parents and Grandparents are invited to join Sydney Catholic Schools for an excursion to the home, museum and chapel of Australia's next Saint Eileen O'Connor in Coogee! The day will include a coastal walk, a presentation about Eileen O'Connor, a tour of her home and time for prayer and reflection at her tomb inside the chapel. Guests can meet me at St Brigid's Church in Coogee at 9.30 am. Lunch is included and the cost is $10pp. I hope you can join me for this special experience. Places are limited so book early!
Laura Neeson,
Family Educator