OUR FAITH
PRAYER
Loving Father,
We thank you for the opportunity to begin this new school year, and we ask that you bless the students, staff, and student families that make our school such a great place. We pray that you will guide us in all ways so that we will seek your will in everything that we do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
We pray ...
We pray for... our staff as they prepare for another year of school; our St Nicholas School students and families, especially our new Kindergarten children and those students and families who are new to our school; for all those who have completed their schooling and are now beginning a new chapter in their adult life; for the Noble family (Levi 5D) on the precious arrival of their baby daughter/sister; for Bishop Michael Kennedy upon the passing of his mother; for the passing of Bishop Luc Matthys; for Fr Paul Chandler as he begins his new role as Assistant Priest in our Parish.
LITURGY NEWS
Our Parish Priests are Fr Chris Onuekwusi (Parish Priest) and Fr Paul Chandler (Assistant Parish Priest). We welcome Fr Paul to our Parish.
Fr Chris
Fr Paul
Fr Chris
Fr Paul
The Year of St Joseph
Pope Francis has declared this year as the 'Year of St Joseph' in honour of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. Pope Francis personal reflections state "Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. St Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.”
Class Reconciliation
Next Wednesday 10th February Year 6 students will have the opportunity to attend Reconciliation.
DATES FOR 2020 SACRAMENTS
First Reconciliation - Year 3 - Wednesday 2nd June 2021
First Eucharist - Year 3 - Weekend of 5th/6th June 2021
Confirmation - Year 6 - Weekend of 11th/12th September 2021
For new students who are baptised Catholic and are in Year 3 and above beginning at St Nicholas in 2021, if there is a Sacrament that they have missed receiving please contact Mrs Dunst as soon as possible (rdunst@arm.catholic.edu.au).
BEGINNING OF YEAR SCHOOL MASS
Our first School Mass for the year will be held next Friday 12th February (Week 3) at St Nicholas School Undercroft beginning at 9.30am. Our new School Captains and Colour House Captains will be formally commissioned at this Mass. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions we are unable to invite our parent and friend community to the Mass. Our new Kindergarten children will not be attending this Mass and will instead enjoy a calm and quiet morning with their teachers. ALL STUDENTS IN YEARS 1 TO 6 WILL NEED TO WEAR THEIR FULL SUMMER UNIFORM.
PASTORAL CARE
As a School Community, we often include the needs, sorrows and joys of our families in our prayers. This is done through class prayer, whole school prayer on assemblies and intentions mentioned in our weekly newsletters. If you experience the loss of a loved one, the anxiety of someone suffering ill-health or the joy of a new addition to your family, please let us know here at school so efforts can be made to include these intentions in our prayers.
Our Pastoral Care is vital in our commitment to show care, support and compassion for those families or individuals who may be experiencing difficulty or suffering through grief, loss or other personal issues. Simple support from others such as the cooking of meals, babysitting children and other chores such as ironing and shopping are some practical ways the load can be lightened. If you or your family are in need in any way throughout the year and would like support, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Dunst or Mrs Daley.
ASH WEDNESDAY MASS - (YEARS 3-6)
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. To celebrate this occasion the school will be celebrating Mass on Wednesday 17th February (Week 4) in the Undercroft at 9.30am. Students from Year 3-6 will be attending this Mass. Kindergarten, Year 1 & Year 2 will receive the Ashes in a small Liturgy in their learning spaces.
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.”
PARISH NEWS
