Education in Faith
Sacrament of First Eucharist
Over the last 2 weekends a number of our Year 4 students received the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time at the 6.00pm Mass in the OHR Church. These OHR students were joined by a number of children who do not attend OHR but are from the parish as well as some students from Our Lady's, Wattle Park. Congratulations to the following students.
3rd August - Mila-Rose B, Edward C, Harry C, Oliver D, Archie H, Emily H, Andy J, Millie M, Griffin M, Oliver M, Emily N, Aksel R, Chloe S, Lucy S, Finn S, Alessia V, Sophie W
11th August - Oliver F
31st August - Arabella B
R.E. Learning in 3/4PK
Eucharist Retreat Day
A few weeks ago all Year 4 students participated in the Eucharist Retreat Day at Holy Cross in Templestowe. During the day, the students consolidated and reflected on their learnings about the meaning of Eucharist. Below are some thoughts about the day.
We all had an amazing day at the Eucharist Retreat Day. I could see lots of happy faces. It just made my day! I could hear cheering when we played ‘Bear, Snake, Fireball’. I felt very calm when we wrote the Gratitude prayers with John. There was relaxing music in the background. Fun fact - John used to come to the school last year and we would sing songs with him. The other activities were fun too. Liz taught us about the parts of the mass. Outside we played a game of Octopus. Jen’s activity was about remembering good memories. The crazy game we played involved us having to talk about a symbol and what memory came with it. We started off with 35 seconds and then with each new partner, the time dropped by 5 seconds until we only had 5 seconds to recall the symbol and memory. Phoebe
The Eucharist Reflection Day was good. Hearing everyone laughing and singing made the day enjoyable. I learnt more about the parts of the mass. Harry
We went to Holy Cross with other students from Our Lady’s Primary School. We got to know each other. The activity about the parts of the mass was fun and we were in the church. Archie
We walked into the room we would be in for most of the day. We started the day with some music and a game. I felt a little nervous and I had a funny feeling in my belly. We played ‘Fireball, Snake, Bear’ as the icebreaker to this day. I was in the final and could hear others cheering. I learned about the parts of the mass. I also remembered some memories and symbols that helped me remember the memories. We also wrote prayers about being thankful in a heart. Oliver D
Reflection day was great! It was good meeting new people and seeing my friends. The ice breakers were interesting. I learnt the parts of the mass, which made me closer to God. Finn
When I walked into the room I felt happy, excited and nervous, because I saw Jen and her team. John is part of the team and I knew him from last year when he worked with us. I also saw some people I knew from Our Lady’s. We learnt more about the parts of the mass. Andy
On the Eucharist Retreat Day I saw lots of people having fun. There were three activities. The activities helped me remember the learning from the classroom. Oliver M
I remember the feeling of excitement as I walked on to the bus. The plants at Holy Cross were so eye-catching. I could never forget this experience of being part of the Eucharist Retreat Day. Zara
On the reflection day we wrote down 3 things that we were grateful for and made a prayer with it. In the next group we continued learning about the parts of the mass. In groups we were given photos and words and had to put them in order. In the third group we read a book about symbols and memories. We had to share a memory in less and less time. You had to rush so you could finish your story telling. Lucy
When I got to Holy Cross I was excited to do the activities. One activity was putting the photos and words in order of when it happens during the mass. We wrote prayers showing gratitude. We wrote these prayers in a heart that was displayed on the wall. The final activity was about remembering things that happened in our life by using a symbol. Mila-Rose
When we arrived at Holy Cross, we listened to the leaders play some songs. Then we played the game, ‘Bear, Snake, Fireball’. Then we split up into 3 groups. In the first activity we wrote 3 things that they were grateful for and turned it into a prayer. In the second activity we read a book about symbols and talked about a trip we thought of that went with the symbol. In the third activity when we were in the church, we made some observations and then put the parts of the mass in order. Bandgi
Sunday Gospel
The liturgy of the Catholic Church provides a framework for reflection which is used by Catholics throughout the world. Each week in the Newsletter, you will find the Sunday Gospel as well as some discussion questions to have with your child/ren.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
Jesus said to the crowd:
‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’
Then the Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him. As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me. This is the bread come down from heaven; not like the bread our ancestors ate: they are dead, but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’
Discussion Questions
1. What makes you happy and joyful in your life?
2. What are the most important of these?
3. Why are they the most important?
4. Jesus tells us that we should seek things that will last. In today’s Gospel what does Jesus give us that will last for ever?
5. Jesus gives us the Bread of life, himself. How do we show we are happy and thankful for this great gift?
Nick Byrne
RE Leader