OUR FAITH
PRAYER
God our Father, hear our prayers for a truly fruitful Lent. May our efforts in prayer and our deeds of mercy lead us to renewal, reconciliation and Easter Joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We pray ...
We pray for ...... our school community as we continue to pray, give and reflect on our words and actions through the season of Lent, for those who are undergoing and/or recovering from procedures and surgeries, for those experiencing loss and devastation as a result of flooding and for peace in war torn countries.
LITURGY NEWS
Yesterday, Years 3-6 gathered in the undercroft for Mass to celebrate Ash Wednesday. We thank Fr Paul for presiding over the mass. The students are to be commended on their reverence and participation throughout the Mass. Thank you also to the staff and students who helped prepare the sacred space.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. The practice of administering ashes on this day dates back to the Middle Ages. Ashes are intended to remind us of our human condition and that the things of this world are transitory. They are also a sign of repentance. The Ashes are made from burning the dry palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday and are placed on the foreheads in the sign of the cross with the words: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Project Compassion Boxes
Each family should have received a small Project Compassion box to keep in their home during Lent. The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.
We are particularly encouraged during Lent to give greater attention those who might be in need. One way we are able to do this as a Catholic Community is by supporting Project Compassion run by CARITAS Australia and over the next forty days of Lent we should be looking to make monetary contributions (big or small) to these boxes.
We are aware of many local families doing it tough given the current circumstances so prayers for those in need and random acts of kindness that don't cost money can be just as good as a monetary contribution!
2022 FAMILY MASSES
Our first family Mass is on this Sunday 6th March at 9.30a.m at St Nicholas Church. Our Kindergarten and Year 6 families are strongly encouraged to attend . This will be a great opportunity for any of our new families to get to know other families and members of our St Nicholas Parish in a relaxed manner. Morning tea will be held at the conclusion of Mass. A packet of chips and a popper will be provided for the children while the adults enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit.
Family Masses are usually held on the first Sunday of every month of the school term.
DATES FOR 2022 SACRAMENTS
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Year 3 students)
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation and program will begin early in Term 2 for our students and parents in Year 3. This will include a Parent Information and Enrolment Session at St Nicholas Church on Wednesday 30th March at 5.30pm or a repeat session on Saturday 2nd April at 2pm. At least one parent is required to attend one of these sessions. Notes have been sent home. Please make contact with Mrs Dunst if your child did not receive a note. A reminder to parents that the completed forms do not come back to school but need to be completed and handed in at the scheduled Parent Information and Enrolment Session at the Church.
For new students who are baptised Catholic, are in Years 3 -6 and are beginning at St Nicholas School in 2022, if there is a Sacrament that they have missed receiving please contact Mrs Dunst as soon as possible (rdunst@arm.catholic.edu.au).
SCHOOL AGED BAPTISM
This year the School Age Baptisms (children from Kindergarten: 5yrs old – Year 6: 11yrs old) will be held on Saturday 26th March at 10.00am at St Nicholas Church. There is a baptism preparation session which parents (without exception) will need to attend on Thursday 24th March at 5pm. Please make contact with St Nicholas Presbytery to express your interest in having your child/ren baptised. (Presbytery phone number 67662228).
MENS GATHERING
All men of our school community, regardless of religious denomination are invited to attend the ARMIDALE DIOCESAN MENS' GATHERING (ADMG) to be held at McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth, on Saturday morning, 19th March, starting over breakfast at 7.30am and finishing at lunchtime.
The principal speaker, Tim Davis, is a father of primary school children and pre-schoolers.
There will be an open forum with plenty of time for you to raise things that are important to you – perhaps mental health issues in children and families – perhaps how hard it is to be a man of faith today – perhaps helping children and teenagers navigate the online world in a safe way.
Saturday morning can be a busy time for kids and families with sporting commitments etc. If you need to leave early that is OK.
It can be hard being a father today. Those who have heard Tim or who have attended similar gatherings throughout Australia endorse the experience.
Yourself, your family and our school community may benefit from your attendance.