Catholic Identity
Dear Families
Project Compassion
Thank you for you Generosity towards Project Compassion this year. We raised upwards of $600, well done to 3/4 NB for raising the most money and receiving the Zooper Dooper Prize.
Sunday Mass – Reconciliation Candidate Presentation & Fr Johns Ordination Anniversary
This weekend at Sunday Mass (9.30am) we celebrate Father John Paul's 10th anniversary of his Priest Ordination. We are also celebrating our Sacramental candidates with a presentation of Reconciliation booklets to commence our ‘Steps in Faith’ Program. It would be wonderful to have as many school families to support Father and our Sacramental children during this special time. Please make your best effort to be in attendance.
We have begun our preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation with a parent meeting and a meeting with all of our children at school. Families are beginning the ‘Steps in Faith’ programs together from their own homes this year and I cannot wait to see their faith journey grow together as a family.
The Liturgy for this Sacrament will be led by Fr John Paul on Wednesday June the 2nd at 6.30 pm.
Eucharist and Confirmation
We have a combined Eucharist and Confirmation Sacrament happening later in the year. There will be two separate groups taking part in this sacrament. Our Grade Fours and our Grade Fives due to a missed year last year. Please note change in date to accommodate the Bishop’s calendar and presence.
Grade Fours - Sunday 24th October 9.30am
Ivy Aikman
Alessia Borzillo
Emerson Brady
Hunter Corbo
Annabelle Ford
Molly Foster
Annaliese Gray
Ella Kennedy
Bianca LoPiccolo
Antony McNamara
Michael Powles
Costantino Rosella
Sebastian Tartaglia
Charlotte Whitford
Isobelle Worm
Madison Worm
Nicholas Worm
Andrew Wright
Grade Fives - Saturday 23rd October 6.00pm
Hugh Crawford
Riley Cronyn
Isabella Daniel
Lila Hernandez
Julian Maskell
Lachlan McKinnon
Sidney Nihill
Emma Quinlan
Darragh Robbins
Sophia Spedding
Ebony Worm
Hunter Worm
Ella Amurri
Cameron Dundon
Please let me know if your child is missing from this list.
Creation in Religious Education
Children have begun learning all about Creation in their Religious Education lessons. It is a wonderful thing to give thanks to God for all we are lucky enough to see in nature. All classrooms have access to indigenous resources to link to the stories of creation. See below some of our Sacred Spaces.
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
"All who live in me, and I in them, bear much fruit.”
Year B | Sunday 2 May | white
Preparing to hear God's word
Gardeners fertilise soil to help plants to grow healthy and strong.
Who and what has helped you to grow?
The Gospel Story
In the Gospel story this week, Jesus describes himself as the one true vine.
We are the branches connected to the vine and we bear fruit in our lives as long as we are connected to Jesus.
God is the gardener, the one who trims and protects the vine.
Jesus tells his disciples to stay connected to him, because without Jesus they can do nothing.
When we stay joined to Jesus, we can be patient, kind, generous, loving and joyful.
The Gospel
A reading from the holy gospel according to John 15:1-5, 7-8
All who live in me, and I in them, bear much fruit.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I am the true vine,
and my Father is the gardener.
He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit.
But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit,
so that it will produce even more fruit.
"You are already clean because of what I have said to you.
"Stay joined to me,
and I will stay joined to you.
Just as a branch cannot produce fruit
unless it stays joined to the vine,
you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me.
"I am the vine, and you are the branches.
If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you,
then you will produce lots of fruit.
But you cannot do anything without me.
"Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you.
Then you can pray for whatever you want,
and your prayer will be answered.
"When you become fruitful disciples of mine,
my Father will be honoured."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - Discussion
Jesus urges us to stay connected to him so that we can produce much fruit.
What does this mean? What sort of 'fruit' can a person produce?
Some of these fruits might be kindness, patience, love, joy, peace and gentleness.
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
"No one can have greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.”
Year B | Sunday 9 May | white
Preparing to hear God's word
How do you show someone that you love them? Sometimes it isn’t easy!
Your parents show you they love you by taking care of you even when they are tired.
You might show your love for a friend by sharing your lunch, even when you are hungry.
The Gospel Story
There is a clear message in today’s gospel story – Jesus asks us to love one another just as God loves us!
Jesus loved us so much that he died on the cross for us.
Jesus tells us that when we love others, we will be completely happy.
The Gospel
A reading from the holy gospel according to John 15:9-14
No one can have greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have loved you,
just as my Father has loved me.
So remain faithful to my love for you.
If you obey me,
I will keep loving you,
just as my Father keeps loving me,
because I have obeyed him."
I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am.
Now I tell you to love each other,
as I have loved you.
The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.
And you are my friends,
if you obey me."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - Discussion
John's gospel says 'The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them'.
Realistically, few of us will ever be asked to literally die for another.
But love and friendship are sometimes demanding and not always easy.
At times we need to put others first and put ourselves second.
Can you think of an example in your own life?
