EDUCATION IN FAITH

‘BE THE KINDNESS YOU WANT TO RECEIVE’

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday 28 April, 2019

Gospel of John 20: 19 - 31

‘After eight days, Jesus came in and stood among them’

ANZAC Day Service

Congratulations to our Year Six leaders: School Captains and the Social justice Liturgy Team who led our ANZAC Day Service here at school in the hall last Wednesday. We are particularly proud of the way they conducted themselves and how considerate they all were in preparing and implementing our service.

We would also like to make two special mentions. First one to Henry Hamilton and Tommy Henderson who read their own ANZAC reflections. These reflections were written by Tom and Henry late last term. They were then recorded by Dave Konsky (Dad of Jaxson in Year Four) and played on FOX FM on Thursday. Congratulations to two very fine young men who captured the essence of the ANZAC Spirit.

Click here to hear the recording, along with some other students.

Our second special mention and huge thank you, is to Paul Douglas, Dad of Keegan in Year 1 MH, who spoke on behalf of all those who have served. Both Brigid (Keegan’s mum) and Paul have served in Afghanistan. A collage of photos along with hats from Paul and Brigid’s deployments and medals from Keegan’s Grandfather and both Brigid’s and Paul’s medals too, were on display during our service and in the library last Wednesday. Thank you to the Douglas family for allowing us to see and have these on display and sharing their reflection with us. On behalf of the school and our community and for your years of service, we say 'Thank you.'

Following on from our service, our four School Captains, Isabella Bannister, Lexie Hawken, Tom LaFerlita and Nick Canavan, were invited by the RSL, Montmorency to attend their march and service on Thursday morning. The school Captains and their families took the time to attend and took part in the march and laid a wreath on behalf of our school. A huge thank you to the School Captains and their families for attending and representing St Francis Xavier.

KIDSVIEW CONFERENCE

On Tuesday May 7, our School Captains, SRC Leaders and Social Justice Liturgy Team Leaders will travel by bus to St Gregory the Great with the Leaders from Holy Trinity School for the annual Kidsview Conference. The Kidsview Conference is a child friendly conference held by the Bahay Tuluyan Philippines Australia Inc. The conference is aimed at students, helping to make them aware of the lives of others in our world today, particularly in the Philippines. This conference also assists our leaders in organising and preparing activities for Social Action Day.

Many stories are discussed during the conference and on the day the students will hear the story of two very courageous young leaders. It is known that people of the Philippines face many challenges. However, through Bahay Tuluyan, lives have changed. It has helped them make a difference in their own lives and are now teaching others in their own community about how to make a difference. This is their way to spread the word to our community.

SOCIAL ACTION DAY

Each year, our two Parish schools come together to participate in Social Action Day. It is a day of awareness raising and fundraising. We make the time to reflect on the advantages that we have, living in Montmorency and consider the very different circumstances in which other people live their lives. We look at the theme of how we can ‘Be the Kindness we want to receive’, making it a better place for everyone, help make a difference even in small ways and that we all share a responsibility for caring for each other throughout our world.

Social Action Day this year is Thursday June 6. Our Year Six children will be working together and with the Year Six children from Holy Trinity to design the activities for the day. Our Year Prep to Two children will remain here at St Francis Xavier and work with our Year Six Leaders. The Year Three to Five children will will travel to Holy Trinity and work with their peers from Holy Trinity and the Senior school.

This is also one of our key fundraisers for our sister school Buhisan Elementary in the Philippines. We have an ongoing commitment to lend our financial support to the school as well as build a relationship with their school community. On this day we ask that children bring in a gold coin donation to support this worthwhile cause.

Reconciliation 2019

If you have not booked a session for Reconciliation for your child on trybooking, please do so. Use the link below to assist you.

Please only book one session for your child.

Please do not book for parents or family members to attend.

https://www.trybooking.com/BBEAM

Confirmation 2019

The dates for the Sacrament of Confirmation will occur on August 22, 23 and 24. The planning and preparation for this celebration has already begun across the two schools and parish. Please note that we will be using trybooking for this occasion.

Once the bookings open

Please only book for your child.

Please do not book for parents or family members to attend.

One row will be allocated to each family.

PROJECT COMPASSION

The Theme for this year is ‘Lives change when we all give 100%’. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Each classroom has been given a box to collect money this year for Project Compassion.

ALLELUIA LITURGY

On Monday 29 April, we will be holding an Alleluia Liturgy in the Church at 2.30pm. All are welcome.

CLASS MASSES

An important and much loved part of our RE Program at SFX has always been the Class Masses. The children enjoy being able to share this special celebration with their friends and family. Class Masses will be at 9.10am and will take place either in the classroom or the church.

We look forward to the Year Two Class Mass in Term Three on August 1.

Dates and times are as follows:

Important Dates

TERM TWO

Monday 29 April - Alleluia Liturgy in the Church at 2.30pm

Tuesday 7 May - Kidsview Conference: Year Six Leaders (School Captains, Social Justice Liturgy and SRC to attend) St Gregory the Great Doncaster.

Friday 10 May - Mother’s Day Reflection 9am in the SFX Hall (straight after the Mother’s Day Breakfast)

Tuesday and Thursday 21, 23, 28, 30 May and 4 June – Sacrament of Reconciliation for all Year Three Students. Parents and children to attend one of the above dates

Thursday 6 June - Social Action Day. Year P - 2 and Year 6 @ SFX, Year 3 - 5 @ HT. SFX travelling to and from HT by bus shuttle.

Thursday 13 June - Holy Trinity Feast Day

LOOKING AHEAD……….TERM THREE

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July - Rite of Enrolment Masses for all Confirmation Candidates. Year Six students attend one of the Parish Masses: 6pm Saturday or 8.30am or 10.30am Sunday.

Thursday 25 July - Confirmation Faith Night. All Year Six student, parents and sponsors to attend in the Church @ 7.30pm

Thursday 1 August - Year Two JE and LA Class Mass 9.10am in the Church

Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 August - Confirmation Practice Days in SFX Hall. Thursday and Friday candidates practice on Tuesday 13 August and Saturday candidates practice Wednesday 14 August.

Friday 16 August - Prep JS and AS Class Mass 9.10am in the Church (PLEASE NOTE: It is on a Friday)

Thursday 22 and Friday 23 August - Confirmation Celebrations in the Church @ 7.00pm

Saturday 24 August - Confirmation Celebrations in the Church @ 11am and 2.00pm.

Thursday 29 August - Year Three TH and LB Class Mass 9.10am in the Church

Adriana Bownds

Religious Education Leader (REL)