Catholic Identity
PRAYER
What is Holy Week
The cross is at the heart of all we do in Christianity. It is the symbol we place on top of our churches and schools, it is the action we do when we pray and make the ‘Sign of the Cross’, it is the image used to identify all things connected to Christ. It is through the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, that we are given the hope of eternal life. For Catholics, Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, is a time of solemn reflection and remembrance. During Holy Week we recount the events of the final days of Jesus' life, from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to his crucifixion on Good Friday. This week is a time for us to deepen our faith, reflect on the meaning of Jesus' sacrifice, and prepare for the joy of Easter, where we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection. By conquering death Jesus gives us all hope that we may one day be with God in Heaven.
Prayer for Holy Week
Lord, let everything I do this Holy Week be inspired by You.
Help me to remember that nothing is important in my life
unless it glorifies You in some way.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day of my life.
Help me to enter fully into your Passion
through my Lenten promises and always be reminded
that You went to the desert, the garden and the cross for me.
Amen
HOLY WEEK PRESENTATIONS
COMMUNITY MASS
Congratulations to the Year 1 students who participated in last Saturday’s Community Mass. We began our liturgical celebration with a Palm Sunday song which the students led.
Our next Community Mass will be held on May 23rd where we will join St Andrew’s Parish for their 6:00pm Saturday Evening Mass. At this Mass, our Year 4 students who will receive their First Holy Communion in June, will be presented to Parishioners.
Below is a list of the remaining Mass dates for the year, we look forward to seeing many of our families there:
Saturday 23rd May
Saturday 25th July
Saturday 22nd August
Saturday 24th October
Saturday 28th November
SACRAMENTAL DATES TERM 2 & 3
Below are our Sacramental Dates for the remainder of the year. These dates are particularly important for Baptised Catholic students in Years 4 & 6:
Sacrament of Eucharist
Thursday May 28th Family Meeting @ St John’s School Hall
Thursday June 4th First Holy Communion 7:00pm @ St Andrew’s Church Werribee
Sacrament of Confirmation
Tuesday July 21st Family Meeting 6:00pm @ St John’s School Hall
Saturday August 8th Sacrament of Confirmation @ MacKillop College Werribee
SACRAMENTAL JOURNALS
All baptised Catholic students in Year 3, 4 and 6 will be preparing to celebrate a Sacrament this year. Our Year 3s will be going to Confession for the first time this Thursday 19th March to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students in Year 4 will receive their First Holy Communion in Term 2 and our Year 6 students will be Confirmed in Term 3.
An important aspect of preparing for any Sacrament is to attend Mass each weekend. Fr Albert is encouraging every child in the Parish of St Andrew’s who is preparing to celebrate a Sacrament this year, to attend Mass regularly, to receive God’s abundant graces.
Recently all students who are preparing for a Sacrament received their Sacramental Journal. These Journals are given to all children in the Parish who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, their First Holy Communion or to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year. The Journal is an easy way for families to record the Masses they attend throughout the year. Please remember to take a pen to Mass so the priest can sign your Journal for you at the end of Mass.
PARISH NEWSLETTER
