Catholic Identity 

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Yesterday was the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

The Holy Trinity is referred to as the central mystery of the Christian faith. The key word here is "mystery," meaning we can never fully comprehend it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) itself states, “The Trinity is a mystery of faith in the strict sense, one of the ‘mysteries that are hidden in God, which can never be known unless they are revealed by God’” (CCC 237).

When we are Baptised, we are done so in the name of the "Father, Son and Holy Spirit". In fact, every time we gather in prayer and bless our selves we are proclaiming our faith in One God revealed in three persons "Father, Son and Holy Spirit".  

Famously, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish Christian converts. He used each leaf to represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three leaves of the shamrock are also said to stand for faith, hope, and love.

Let's pray to our God, three-in-one...

Glory be to the Father,

Who by His almighty power and love created me,

making me in the image and likeness of God.

Glory be to the Son,

Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell,

and opened for me the gates of heaven.

Glory be to the Holy Spirit,

Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism,

and continues to sanctify me

by the graces I receive daily from His bounty.

Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity,

now and forever.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - Corpus Christi

This coming Sunday is Corpus Christi. This year there will be a Corpus Christi procession leaving from Sacred Heart Church on Rathdowne St, finishing at St Patrick's Cathedral. Vespers and benediction will follow the procession. Everyone in the Archdiocese of Melbourne is invited to this very special witness to our core believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. 

Preps In Pyjamas Evening

All Prep students and their families are invited to attend our Preps on Pyjamas evening on Tuesday 28th May, at 6:30pm. Come dressed in your favourite PJs and join us for some time in prayer, listening to a story and creating a special artistic momento that your child can take home and keep. We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. 

Vinnies Winter Appeal

This year, we will once again be collecting items to donate to St Vincent de Paul Society for their Winter Appeal. You are invited to donate canned and non-perishable foods, pantry staple items, warm winter items such as gloves, scarves and beanies (new, not used please). The Social Justice leaders will be collecting these items from learning groups throughout weeks 9-11, to be collected by Vinnies in the middle of week 11. Thank you, as always, for your generous support of this appeal. 

Gospel Challenge

Each Friday morning, in place of our usual meditation and prayer, we have a 'Gospel Challenge'. During these challenges, we listen to the coming Sunday's Gospel reading and reflect on its meaning. You are invited to join your child's learning group at 8.50am for this time in prayer. The Gospel Challenge goes for roughly 5 minutes.

We would love to see as many parents and family members join us as possible!

Sacramental Program 2024

Sacrament on First Holy Communion (Eucharist) 

A reminder...

To please arrive at OLSC on the morning of your child's First Eucharist no later than 9:45am (15 minutes before the start of Mass). This is so that your child can receive their sacramental stole, take you to their designated row and then gather at the back to be part of the entrance procession. 

The following students have indicated their intention to celebrate the sacrament this term. If your child is not on this list and you believe/wish for them to be, please contact John as soon as possible. 

Please pray for these students, as well as Nimna D, Joshan F and Nessa D who will also be receiving First Eucharist this year.

Sacrament of Confirmation

As we begin preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation, please take some time to look over the following information.  The following students have indicated they will be receiving the sacrament this year:

If you believe your child should be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation and their name is not on the list above, please contact me. 

Students are preparing for the Sacrament as part of their Religious Education studies this term and next. An important part of this preparation is the participation in a Family Sacramental Evening. This will take place Wednesday 31st July in the OLSC Sports Centre, from 6.30-7.30pm. Attendance at this evening is compulsory, as the program is designed to deepen the faith and understanding of all within the family to allow the Sacrament to be celebrated with reverence and understanding.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Friday 16th August in the OLSC Sports Centre, at 6:30pm. *Please note there was an error in the note sent home - the time is 6:30pm, Confirmation candidates to arrive no later than 6:15pm*

As part of their preparation for the Sacrament, your child/ren will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation at school, on Wednesday 31st July as part of their Spirituality Day. We request that all Candidates be present at school that day. 

School Masses

School Masses will take place twice a term this year.  Our celebrations are open to all of those in our school community, and we hope to see as many of our families join us for Mass.  Our next Mass is Friday, 17th May at 12pm in the Sports Centre.  Please find below times and dates of all of our school Masses for 2024. 

Community Mass in 2024

Community Masses have resumed and will take place every third Sunday of the month. Mass takes place in the OLSC Sports Centre at 10am. After each Mass there will also be the opportunity to join in Fellowship, so we invite to bring a plate of food to share. Spread the word!

2024 Community Masses will be as follows:

Follow and like the Wyndham Vale Catholic Community Facebook page to get updates and further information about Community Masses and other events. 

John Dini

Catholic Identity Leader