From the Principal
Pentecost
As we prepare for Pentecost Sunday this weekend, the following reading from the book of Solomon describes the Spirit of God as active, effective, sustaining and encouraging. The reading begins by calling the Spirit, 'kindly', one of God's wonderful characteristics.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:6; 7:22; 8:1
Wisdom is the kindly Spirit.
She is intelligent, holy, unique and unmistakable:
Subtle, dynamic, perceptive, pristine, unclouded,
Unconquerable, compassionate, shrewd, compelling,
Generous and loving towards mortals, faithful,
Faultless, serene, directing all, knowing all,
All pervading, ever intelligent, pure and most subtle spirit.
She is the breath of the power of God,
A pure light of the glory of the Most High ...
She is the light that shines forth from everlasting light,
The flawless mirror of the dynamism of God
And the perfect image of the Holy One's goodness ....
She enters into holy souls
And makes them friends of God and prophets,
For God loves the one
Who finds a home in Wisdom ...
She stretches forth Her power
From one end of the earth to the other
And gently puts all things in their proper place.
Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across Australia next week.
On Monday, four of our Year 6 students will attend the 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia Mass at Ballarat's St Patrick's Cathedral with students from across the 64 Catholic schools of our Diocese.
Mass for Our Lady, Help of Christians will be celebrated across Australia on Monday. Links to be able to view Mass from a number of different Cathedrals can be accessed via the following link https://200years.catholic.edu.au/
All of our students will attend Mass in Horsham on Wednesday 26 May, together with students from Ss Michael & John's Primary School, Horsham, Our Lady Help of Christians, Murtoa, and St Brigid's College, Horsham. Students will depart St Patrick's School at 9.50am for the 11am Mass. After Mass, students will have BBQ lunch with the other students at Coughlin Park before returning to Nhill in time for the end of the school day dismissal. Students will have their fruit before boarding the bus in Nhill and will only need to take their drink bottle with them for on the bus.
On Thursday 27 May, we will be combining with Our Lady Help of Christians, Murtoa, St Joseph's, Coleraine, Sacred Heart, Casterton, and St Malachy's, Edenhope, to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. We will gather in Edenhope on that day for a short Liturgy, some activities and a shared lunch. Students will depart St Patrick's School at 9am and return for afternoon dismissal.
It promises to be a very busy week, but also a very important week on the Catholic Education calendar.
Consent requests have been issued to students via the SIMON Parent Access Module (PAM). We would request that you finalise these consent requests for both activities by Monday.
Fr Peter's Golden Jubilee
Congratulations to recently retired Fr Peter Hudson who will celebrate 50 years since his ordination as a Priest tomorrow. During his years of service, Fr Peter served Parishes in Terang (from 1972), Ballarat (1975), Warrnambool (1981), Hamilton (1992), Swan Hill (2002) and Horsham (2012) until his retirement in December.
During his time in Horsham, Fr Peter also became the Canonical Administrator, or Governor, for St Patrick's School.
In his retirement, Fr Peter is now living in Sunshine but thinks of us all, and his time with us, often.
National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday, our students joined with other students from around the country for National Simultaneous Storytime. The children watched a reading of "Give Me Some Space" whilst also enjoying the opportunity to dress up for the "Shine Like A Star" theme.
Assemblies
It is pleasing to see more of our parents able to attend our Thursday afternoon Assemblies. The last two Assemblies have been conducted by different classes - last week's by the 4,5,6 class and yesterday's by the Year 2,3s. Next week's Assembly will be led by Mrs Creek's F-1 class and I encourage their parents to come along and join us. Please note, however, that next week's Assembly will be held at 9am on Friday morning as we will be in Edenhope on Thursday as part of the Catholic Education Week celebrations.
Whilst we welcome parents and other children to our Assemblies, I would also like to remind parents that they are responsible for their own children who are not students at St Patrick's School whilst they are attending Assemblies or other events. Staff members are not available to supervise other children, as well as the students that they have a duty of care for.
Student Free Day
A reminder that Wednesday 2 June is a Student Free Day as staff meet with Education Consultant Chris Robarts to further develop our submission for the School Review which will occur in September. No students are to come to school on 2 June.
National Sorry Day
Observed annually on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.
National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.
Patronage of merged parish region
In Diocesan pastoral planning over some years, it has emerged that from 2021 the merger of Hopetoun, Nhill, Horsham and Warracknabeal parishes into one parish will be brought about by a decree from Bishop Paul, our Diocesan Bishop. Every church and school maintain the patronage (prayers) of the saints that have been dedicated to their spiritual care: St Patrick, St Joseph, St Augustine, St Mary, Ss Michael and John, St Brigid, etc. However, we seek an ‘overarching patronage’ for the entire new parish pastoral region (21,300 sq. kms). By such patronage our region (with its 10 churches and 6 Catholic schools) will be known, when referred to as a whole. Any parishioner wishing to suggest a saint or saints (or angels) for this honoured patronage is invited to lodge their suggestion via email to horsham@ballarat.catholic.org.au or in person at the Horsham Catholic Parish Office by the end of today. Mons Glynn will consider any/all suggested patronage and discuss them with Bishop Paul, prior to a decision being reached.
Remember to follow us on Facebook
Those who are on Facebook are encouraged to follow our page at St Patrick's School, Nhill. 'Like' our page, enjoy our posts, and share them with your friends. Stay connected through our Social Media page.
Our Josephite Heritage
The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, often called the "Josephites" or "Brown Joeys", were founded in Penola, South Australia, in 1866 by Mary MacKillop and the Rev. Julian Tenison Woods. In 1949, three Josephite sisters arrived in Nhill to open St Patrick’s School. In 1978, the Sisters of St Joseph informed the Nhill Parish that they would no longer be able to maintain their role within the school.
We endeavour to honour our Josephite heritage through the regular presentation of the Little Joey awards at our assemblies. In support of this we also include a reflection from Mary MacKillop on our newsletter each week.
"Divine Spirit of Wisdom and Goodness, enlighten my mind, penetrate its blindness. Make me in all things what I ought to be." Mary MacKillop, 1877
Wonderful win by the Power over the crows last Saturday night, and well celebrated by the players in the rooms afterwards - a great display of the connection between the players and their supporters, and an acknowledgement of the Club's heritage. The doggies this week and a chance to move into the top 2 on the ladder - Go Port!!
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal