Religious Education
Mr Ray Hickey
Lent and Caritas Australia - Project Compassion 2025
Thank you to everyone for supporting our Friday FUNdraising activities during Lent.
The students and staff enjoyed participating in the activities arranged by each level. They learned about Toefuata’iga from Samoa, Lam from Vietnam and Irene from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
So far, our school has raised over $340 and the final amount will be announced at Friday afternoon’s assembly.
The money we raised will be used by Caritas Australia to provide support for communities in need.
Lent is a time of almsgiving, fasting and praying. It is a wonderful opportunity to put others first and grow as an individual, no matter what age you are. The theme for Project Compassion 2025 is Unite against poverty this Lent.It is a time of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus at Easter.
Sacrament of Reconciliation 2025
Last Thursday, 27 March, many of our Year 3/4 students completed their First Reconciliation. During the day all of the Year 3/4 students gathered in the Church to participate in a Prayer Liturgy led by Deacon Malcolm. This was a time to listen to St John’s Gospel account of love being central to our relationship with self and others.
Later that afternoon, the children came to the Church with family members to complete their First Reconciliation or, if non Catholic, to receive a blessing from Fr Darien.
After completing their First Reconciliation or receiving a blessing, the students prayed at the cross and lit a candle to symbolise they were carrying the light of Jesus in their lives.
Thank you to Fr Darien and Deacon Malcolm for leading us in this sacrament. Thank you also to the staff, families and children for approaching this sacrament with reverence and respect.
Holy Week
This year Holy Week falls in the second week of the school holidays. It is a week in which we remember the events leading up to Jesus dying on the cross and being placed in the tomb in readiness for the resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and recounts Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem. The people waved palm branches , shouted “Hosanna!” and welcomed him as a king into the city.
Holy Thursday recounts Jesus washing the feet of his disciples before sharing the Passover meal, this was done as an act of service to others. During the Passover meal, Jesus blessed the bread and wine, turning it into his body and blood and shared it with his disciples. We remember this event every time we share in the Eucharist at Mass. After eating the meal, Jesus went into the garden to pray for strength as he knew what he would experience in the following day.
Good Friday recounts the suffering of Jesus as he prepared to be crucified and die on the cross. While suffering, Jesus was still able to forgive the people responsible for his suffering. This reinforces the importance of forgiving others.
Holy Saturday recounts Jesus being in the tomb awaiting his resurrection.
The students and staff gathered within their classes this week to remember the events of Holy Week and participate in a reflective prayer liturgy. The link for the Google Slides used in the prayer liturgy is here for you to reflect upon if you wish
Pope Francis' Prayer Intention for April
Every year, Pope Francis publishes his prayer intentions for each month. Please try to find some quiet time in your busy day to pray this prayer. Thank you.
For the use of the new technologies
Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.