St Patrick's Day Mass

Last Friday 12 of our Year 6 students were chosen to represent the school at the St Patrick's Day Mass for schools. It was an extra special Mass for St Finbar's as we are celebrating our 175th year. Several students had special roles in the Mass that is attended by most Catholic schools in the Melbourne region. Thanks to Walt, Gisele & Xavier for carrying our school banner, and leading the procession. A special mention also to Chiara & Alicia who both read a prayer at the Mass, a huge effort in front of so many people.

Following the Mass, the students were treated to a Party in the Park with several high school bands entertaining the crowd!

Project Compassion Update

This week is the last week for donations for our annual Project Compassion Fundraiser. Here is an update from Kip, Annie & Aarit (Social Justice Captains):

"We are announcing the amount raised and the top classes on Project Compassion! This week we raised $460.35! We want to thank everyone for their dedication as we have made huge improvements and are giving generously!

When we add this amount to all weeks totals we have whopping grand total of $1,636.20! and this means we could buy a total of 232 chickens! We thank you for all of your efforts.

This past week has been the last couple of days to donate so we hope everyone has brought in their small home boxes for the last count!

Lastly we are announcing the top three classes this week!

Coming in third is…. 2Z! With $61.40! Second place issss….. 1N! With $78.05! And drum roll please…. First place is PF! With $126.10!

Please remember to bring in your home boxes if you already haven't for the last count on Monday!

Thank you!"

Holy Week Events

In Week 11 we will be celebrating Holy Week as a community. Please make note of the following dates & events.

Monday, April 3: Prep Holy Week Performance (2:30 pm in Hall)

Tuesday, April 4: Year 5 Stations of the Cross (2:30 pm on playgrounds)

Thursday, April 6: End of Term & Easter Mass (9:30 am at Church)

Gospel Reflection - Sunday 26th March

Gospel Reading

John 11:1-45 (shorter version John 11:3-7,17,20-27,33b-45)

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

Family Connection

Jesus’ promise of eternal life is a central element of our Catholic faith. Even though Easter is still two weeks away, our Gospel today invites us to acknowledge Jesus’ power over death, evidenced in the raising of Lazarus, and to anticipate Jesus’ conquering of death once and for all in his death and Resurrection. We sometimes use examples from nature to help describe this mystery of our faith. Jesus himself talked about the seed that dies when planted in the ground in order to produce new life (John 12:24). Using that image and others, we find hope and confidence in Jesus, the Resurrection and the life.

Gather your family today and read today’s Gospel in its shorter form, John 11:3-7,17,20-27,33b-45. Write Jesus’ promise from today’s Gospel (“I am the resurrection and the life.”) on a large sheet of white paper. As your family talks about what Jesus means by this promise, decorate Jesus’ words with symbols that will remind you of his promise of eternal life. Display this reminder of Jesus’ promise in a prominent place in your home and keep it there until Easter.

Pray that you will always remain confident in Jesus’ promise of eternal life. Conclude by praying together the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed.

Thanks

Steele Anderson

Deputy Principal / RE Leader

Team Kids - OSHC