RENews

Feast of Saint Patrick

‘Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.’

St Patrick

At Monday's assembly, the 1/2 students shared what they learnt about St Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, and the Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

St Patricks Day is celebrated on the 17th of March each year. It is to honour the Patron Saint of Ireland.

St Patrick was born in England in 387, (lived over 1500 years ago) but was kidnapped when he was 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave.

When he was 20 he escaped and returned home to become a priest and later a bishop.

After a message from God he returned to Ireland to teach people about the Christian faith.

He continued to convert the Irish people to Christianity for the next 40 years.

On Saturday, we celebrated and remembered a man who was so in love with Jesus Christ that he endured hardship and captivity, fasted for forty days, and never lost sight of the knowledge and love of God, his good parents had given him. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated throughout the world.

Feast of Saint Joseph

On the 19th of March each year we celebrate the feast of St Joseph. We don’t know a lot about Joseph as he only appears in the beginning of the gospels of Matthew and Luke. We know that he was born of the royal house of David, and he was a humble carpenter. From the stories we have, we can see that he cared for Jesus and his mother Mary and was a good and upright man. Joseph showed great courage, devotion and strength and is a model of trust and faith in God.

Sacrament of Confirmation

On behalf of the staff at St Raphael, we would like to thank and congratulate all the students and their families in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation.

We would like to thank Bishop Terry Curtin, Fr Simon, the Year 5/6 teachers and all staff for their commitment and support throughout the past weeks.

The students' spiritual journey has seen them identify the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, research and identify a Saint and reflect on who they are as a spirit filled person.

Education Week

"Open New Horizons For Spreading Joy"

As part of Education Week, our Year 6 School Captains and House Leaders, represented our school, in attending an annual mass especially dedicated to all schoolchildren within the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Students celebrated the Feast of St Patrick, and throughout the service listened to Melbourne’s eighth archbishop close his homily with a striking quote from St Patrick (the one used at the top of this newsletter) and wished for the students to follow St Patrick’s lead in finding Christ.

Reflection from all Leaders that attended the celebration.....

Last Friday all of the House Captains along with our School Captains went into the City to celebrate Saint Patrick’s day at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. We were joined by over 300 other schools; primary and secondary schools.

We saw our former parish priest Father Benneth and spoke to Bishop Terry Curtin. The School Captains Sara and Christian represented our school by walking into the Cathedral holding up our school banner during the entrance procession. It was a wonderful experience and one we will treasure.

Holy Week

As we conclude the term, we depart for the break during a very special and sacred week within the Catholic Church. Holy Week!

During week 9, students will be reflecting on the significant events that occurred during Holy Week. We will gather as a whole school at 12.15pm on the last day of Term 1 in the hall and reflect in prayer. All families are most welcome.

St Raphael's Parish Holy Week Program 2018

Sat 24 March 2018 (Palm Sunday Vigil) - 6pm Mass

Sunday 25 March 2018 Palm Sunday - 9am Italian Mass

10:30am Mass

Thurs 29 March 2018 Mass of the Last Supper at 7pm

Fri 30 March 2018 Good Friday:

Way of the Cross in English & Italian at 10:30am

Celebration of the Passion & Death of Our Lord at 3pm

Sat 31 March 2018 Easter Vigil at 7:30pm

Sun 1 April 2018 Easter Sunday: Masses 9am (Italian) & 10.30am

St Raphael's Mass Times

Mass Times for:

WEEKEND MASS TIMES

Saturday: 6:00 pm

Sunday: 9:00 am (Italian)

10:30 am

WEEKDAY MASS TIMES

Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 8:30 am

Sat 9:00 am

(Please note; For those wishing at attend mass on Monday's, Mass is celebrated every Monday at 9:10am at Sacred Heart Church, Bell St, Preston.)

ADORATION:

Every Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

(Not during January)

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:

During Lent, on Fridays at 7:00 pm.

Observed in both Italian and English (Booklets in Both Languages are provided). All Welcome.

Note: New Time for Friday morning mass. The time of the Friday morning mass will change to 8:30AM beginning from Friday 9th February 2018.