R.E. News
St Martin de Porres
Last Friday, we celebrated the feast of St Martin de Porres, the patron saint of our school. Together we viewed a Prayer Liturgy presented by our Year 5 students. Following the liturgy, the students were engaged in learning activities and research tasks focussing on the life and qualities of St Martin de Porres. They were encouraged to share what they had learnt and discovered about St Martin de Porres.
Sacraments
Reconciliation
We are pleased to inform you that the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Catholic Year 3 students will be on Friday 26th November 2021. The celebration will be a Liturgy and will be celebrated in the Church. The Sacrament will be celebrated during school time, (12:00 pm) so students are to wear their summer uniform. We pray for the students who will be making their first Reconciliation: Jonathan, Isabelle, Kara, Marcus, Finlay, Lucas, Lyndelle, Chelsea, and Aeryn.
Prayer for our Reconciliation Candidates
Loving God, help us to teach our children that you love us totally and unconditionally. Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry, knowing that you always forgive. Give us the courage to pray with our children and to share our faith with them as we journey together. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Confirmation
We are excited to inform you that the Sacrament of Confirmation for Catholic Year 6 students will be on Wednesday 8th December 2021. The celebration will be a Liturgy and will be celebrated in the Church commencing at 6:30 pm. We pray for the candidates who will be confirmed this year: Bella, Luke, Dominic, Isla, Tia, Dale, Chloe and Wshuti.
Prayer for Confirmation Candidates
Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent. Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice. Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them. Teach them to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what they do not understand. We pray that You will continue to guide them and sustain them. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
World Children’s Day
World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20th November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare. It is an occasion to promote and celebrate children’s rights and to build a better world for children. The theme for World Children’s Day is: “Investing in our future means investing in our children”. Together, we can reimagine a greener and more sustainable future, for every child.
Remembrance Day
Today, being Remembrance Day, our Year 6 students presented a Prayer Service to acknowledge this event. The moment when fighting stopped on the Western Front became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. This first modern war, World War 1, left between 9 and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. The 11th of November has been chosen to remember all those who have died in war.
Remembrance Day Prayer
God of love and peace, we gather to pray for those who gave so much for their country. May we always remember their sacrifices and their gifts of freedom and peace. We remember those who have died as a result of war or conflict, soldiers and civilians. We give thanks for their lives and acknowledge their sacrifice. We ask that the peace of Christ will end all violence and that all may live together in harmony. Amen.
Vinnies Hampers
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Every year, at Christmas time, our school community responds to the St Vincent de Paul “Adopt-a-Family Christmas Appeal”. Over the past few weeks, the response to this appeal has been great. We have just one more week to bring in groceries for the Vinnies Christmas food hampers. Thank you to all the families / students who have already brought in items to add to the hampers.
We are asking for non-perishable food items that are suitable for Christmas Hampers such as - tinned ham/salmon/tuna, Christmas pudding/cake, biscuits/shortbread, mince pies, cordial/tetra juice packs, soft drink, lollies/candy canes, jellies, canned or dried vegetables, tinned fruit, long-life custard, gravy mix, packets of snack foods, chips, popcorn, nuts, breakfast cereal, UHT milk, pancake shake mix, bonbons/crackers, Christmas serviettes and paper plates etc.
Please ensure that items are unopened, non - perishable, and within the use by expiry date.
TOYS AND CLOTHES ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.
We do ask that if children are able to bring in items, they can be placed in a box in their classroom for collection. All food needs to be brought into school by Thursday 9th Decemberso our Social Justice Student Leaders can sort and wrap the hampers.
Thank you for your support.
Margaret Cronin
Religious Education Leader