Religious Education News 

Dear St Mary’s community,

Welcome back! This Term we look forward to the busy end of year when families prepare for the festivities involved in celebrating Christmas - the birth of Christ. But we often forget the lead-up time to this event as being just as important! 

During the month of October we celebrate the Mother of God, Mary, by praying especially during this month the Holy Rosary. The rosary is a chaplet of prayers dedicated to the life of Mary and following her journey as the Mother of our Saviour. 

The month of November is a more solemn month where we commemorate those people who have died before us. We pray for their souls, we celebrate those who have become Saints and we especially remember to touch base with loved ones who have lost someone important in their lives. It is also, for Australian Catholics, a time when we might pray for year 12 students as their exams lead to results that can impact their decisions for the next few years of their future.

Soon after these events we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King and kick off our preparations for Advent. Advent is the season of preparation, where we prepare for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. It is a time of waiting. We focus in particular on the ancestry of Jesus found in the Old Testament of the Bible, figures such as Moses, Joseph, Noah, David and more point to the Christ that is to come.

In December St Mary’s School and Church also celebrate the Parish feast day - The Immaculate Conception. Mary was extraordinary and was created extraordinary, she was born without sin so that she could bear the most precious gift, the Son of God.

Sacrament of Reconciliation Year 3 families are please asked to return the form regarding their child’s enrolment in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please note the dates listed in our Important Dates for Term 4 below. If your child is baptised and of age they may make the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. If your child has already made their first reconciliation there is the opportunity to join those Year 3’s on the night to make a subsequent reconciliation. If your child is not baptised but is interested in receiving the Sacraments of the Catholic Church please contact the Parish Office StKildaEast@cam.org.au as we are currently enrolling children for Baptism preparation in Term 4.

St Mary’s Liturgy Team As the Liturgy Team continues to develop we continue to invite those year 4 students who have made their First Eucharist to participate in the Liturgy Team. The liturgy team contributes to serving at the Mass as candle-bearers, cross-bearers, bell-ringers as well as helping to prepare for liturgies by lighting candles, offertory processions or leading prayers. 

There are many ways to participate in the Mass at St Mary’s School, not exclusive to Catholics! If your child is not Catholic but would like to participate in assisting for Masses/Liturgies they can volunteer to read at Mass, hand out Mass Prayer Cards, and/or help lead the singing in Choir.

IMPORTANT DATES IN TERM 4

16 October 2024 5pm - Year 3 Reconciliation Family Faith Night

30 October 2024 6pm - Reconciliation Sacrament Year 3

1 November 2024 9.15am - All Saints Day Whole School Mass

9 December 2024 9.15am - Votive Mass of Immaculate Conception (Our School’s feast day) Whole School Mass

10 December 2024 - Christmas Carols Event Whole School

12 December 2024 5pm - Graduation Mass Year 6

17 December 2024 9.15am - End of Year Whole School Mass