Mission & Religious Education News
A Prayer for Pope Francis
God of compassion,
You gave us Pope Francis as a light in dark places –
a leader who reminded us to smell like the sheep,
to care for the planet, to welcome the refugee, to stand with the poor.
May we be reminded that one life, lived with compassion,
can spark change in hearts across the world.
Let his legacy live on in our lives, in our schools, in our Church.
May he rest in Your peace and rise in Your glory.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.
A Reflection on Pope Francis' Papacy
Pope Francis didn’t lead the Church from a throne. He led from the streets. From refugee camps, prisons, slums, and soup kitchens. He walked with the poor. Sat with the broken. Listened to the young. He reminded the world that the Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners. That faith isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being real, being kind, being brave enough to care. During his first international trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for World Youth Day in July 2013 Pope Francis met with Argentine youth, telling them to hacer lío, which is Argentine slang that translates roughly as “make a mess”. This call to make a mess is a call to action. Not a reckless mess – but the kind that comes when you stir things up for justice. When you speak out for those no one listens to. When you live with purpose, not just for yourself, but for something greater.
Pope Francis didn’t just talk about hope and love – he lived it. For creation, for the forgotten, for our entire human family.
Let us remember Pope Francis and live out his call to hope:
"I invite everyone to renewed hope, for hope “speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfillment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… Hope is bold; it can look beyond personal convenience, the petty securities and compensations which limit our horizon, and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile”. [52] Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope."
Fratelli Tutti, encyclical letter, Vatican website, October 3, 2020, sec. 55
Cornerstones
Cornerstones is a micro qualification run through BBI-TAITE for ACS staff that is helpful in upskilling those working or intending to in the Religious Education space. It is a free qualification with time given each term for webinars and workshops to complete tasks.
To enrol or to continue your enrolment from last year, simply complete THIS FORM.
Dates for Cornerstones this term (choose one) are May 9 OR May 16
As this is a BBI-TAITE course, not an ACS course, if you have any problems with the Zoom classes or the Blackboard site, please contact BBI directly.
New Staff Induction
New Staff to our schools and system are required to attend an induction day in Armidale. There are 2 upcoming dates throughout the year to ease the burden for schools with a number of new staff and to cater for those that join the diocese later. To register for these days, please liaise with your leadership team and complete THIS REGISTRATION FORM.
The dates for 2025 are:
- September 4
- October 23
Long Walk for Water Wrap Up
The Armidale Catholic Schools team for Caritas Australia’s Long Walk For Water raised over $4000! Thank you to all who contributed.
Upcoming Important Church Calendar Days
April
Tue 29 - Saint Catherine of Siena
Wed 30 - Saint Pius V
May
Thu 1 - Saint Joseph the Worker
Fri 2 - Saint Athanasius
Sat 3 - Saints Philip and James
Sun 4 - 3rd Sunday of Easter
Sat 10 - Saint John of Ávila
Sun 11 - 4th Sunday of Easter
Mon 12 - Saints Nereus and Achilleus, and Saint Pancras
Tue 13 - Our Lady of Fátima
Wed 14 - Saint Matthias
Sun 18 - 5th Sunday of Easter
Tue 20 - Saint Bernardine of Siena
Wed 21 - Saint Christopher Magallanes and his Companions
Thu 22 - Saint Rita of Cascia
Sat 24 - Our Lady, Help of Christians
Sun 25 - 6th Sunday of Easter
Mon 26 - Saint Philip Neri
Tue 27 - Saint Augustine of Canterbury
Thu 29 - Saint Paul VI
Sat 31- The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary