OUR FAITH
PRAYER
Prayer of St. Dominic
May God the Father who made us bless us. May God the Son send his healing among us. May God the Holy Spirit move within us and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with, and hands that your work might be done. May we walk and preach the word of God to all. May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the Kingdom. Amen
We pray ...
for..... the Confirmation candidates as they begin their preparation, and for all the people in our world who may be experiencing the loss of a loved one, anxiety, depression or grief.
LITURGY NEWS
Yesterday some of our Year 6 students had the opportunity to attend Reconciliation. Next Wednesday some of the Year 5 students will have the opportunity to attend Reconciliation and Year 2 will have a class visit from one of our Parish Priests.
St Dominic- Feast Day Thursday 3rd August
St Nicholas School has a rich history and association with the Dominican order and it is important that we acknowledge the work that has been carried out over the years by the order. Fittingly one of our school house teams is named after St Dominic. The Mottos of the Dominican Order are; VERITAS- TRUTH, TO PRAISE, TO BLESS, TO PREACH.
Dominic was born in 1170 in Caleruega, a village in the north of Spain. He began his University Studies at the age of 14, followed by studies for the Priesthood, being ordained a Priest at the age of 25. Dominic was a person of prayer, and lived a simple life without luxuries, and in the year 1216 he founded the Order of Preachers - THE DOMINICANS. (Sisters, Brothers, Fathers). He insisted the Fathers study, before going out among the people to preach, and gradually they moved to other countries around the world.
St Mary of the Cross (Mary Mackillop) Feast – 8th August
August 8 marks the anniversary of the death of Mary MacKillop and the Feast Day of Australia's first Saint. Canonised by Pope John Paul II on 17th October 2010. Although her death occurred more than a century ago, she continues to inspire men, women and children whether Catholic or non-Catholic.
Her Feast Day is a time to contemplate her remarkable life, her sense of social justice and her enormous contribution to education and as a champion of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized. The co-founder of the Josephites, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, she was a tireless advocate of education and schools. At just 24 she established a school for children of the poor and underprivileged in Penola, SA, and under her guidance, her Order went on to found schools not only across SA but also in Victoria, NSW and eventually New Zealand.
With her strength of faith in God, her vision of a better world for all, with patience, a forgiving heart and trust in God, she managed to overcome whatever obstacles were put her way.
To celebrate the feast of St Mary of the Cross students who are in the Mackillop House may come to school on Tuesday (8th Aug) in red mufti clothes.
SACRAMENTS
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred by Fr Chris in our St Nicholas Parish on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September. Notes to parents and carers have been sent out to eligible candidates via COMPASS.
Candidates are required to attend at least one of the following Enrolment Masses.
Sunday 6th August 9.30am or 5.30pm (St Nicholas Church)
GRANDPARENTS DAY
What a wonderful day last Friday. We were truly blessed to have so many members of our school community gathered together to help celebrate such significant people who play a major role in all our lives; our grandparents and special friends. Beginning with a liturgy to give thanks for all our wonderful grandparents and then celebrating with morning tea/picnic, and learning space visits.
Thank you to Fr Chris for joining us and to the PT&F and staff who provided and served morning tea.
Grandparents Day is by far one of the biggest days on our school calendar but one we all very much treasure. Don’t forget to tell Nan and Pop ‘thanks’ and ‘I love you!’
FAMILY MASS
Our Family Masses for this term will be held on Sunday 6th August and Sunday 3rd September at St Nicholas Church at 9.30 a.m. The First Family Mass (6th August) will be hosted by Kindergarten, Year 6 and Confirmation Candidates. It would be lovely to see as many families as possible attending. These Masses are an opportunity for our School community to come together with our Parish Community to celebrate and to share a ‘cuppa ‘and morning tea afterwards.
FATHER'S DAY - BREAKFAST & LITURGY
There will be a Father’s Day Breakfast from 7.30 am and Liturgy beginning at 9.15 am at St Nicholas School on Friday 1 September. We warmly welcome our Dads, Uncles, Granddads, Pops and families to join us for this celebration.