Catholic Identity
Religious Education, Sacramental and Faith Celebration News
Easter Season
Rejoice! He is risen! This is one of the best times of year to look at your life and all that you have to be grateful for. We are saved from sin and death!
Easter is always a good reminder that everything is grace. In an age of entitlement, it is easy to forget that the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the life we have are all incredible graces from God. Taking time to pray in thanksgiving for the graces in our life is often a practice that keeps us aware of what we have and gives us a disposition of gratitude and joy.
One more thing that I always try to remember at Easter is how many graces came from the sacrifices of Lent and the additional prayer I added to my life. In the joy and celebration of Easter, it is easy to forget those graces and treat the Paschal Mystery as “that time of year when I get to eat chocolate again.”
As you celebrate Easter, take a moment to consider what Lenten practices brought you closer to God. Maybe giving up Netflix gave you time for prayer and brought you closer to God. Now that Lent is over, maybe consider watching less Netflix than you were before Lent so that you now have time for both! The deeper meaning behind the sacrifices of Lent is to change our relationship with the world around us and to rely more on God. Take the lessons learned through sacrifice in Lent out into the rest of the year to grow in holiness and virtue. In this Easter season, please keep me in your prayers and know of mine in return for you! Happy Easter!
(Taken from: https://catholic-link.org/easter-catholic-gospel-reflection-quotes/)
Stations of the Cross
At the end of Term 1, the Year 5/6 students led us in the Stations of the Cross. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus. Younger students, staff and family members moved around the school grounds to watch and listen to reenactments of key events in the lead up to Jesus' death of the cross. Thanks must go to the 5/6 team and students for all of their hard work to bring the Stations of the Cross to life!
If you would like to watch the Stations of the Cross, a video from the day can be found by following this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Vc4zMYB9LiY
* Please note, this YouTube video is only accessible by those with the link and is not searchable.
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)
Students will begin preparations for First Holy Communion during their Religious Education lessons from next term. Attendance at the following events, which are important for the preparation of our students and families for the celebration of the sacrament, is required:
Tuesday 7th May, OLSC, during school day: Sacramental Spirituality Day and Reconciliation (students only)
Tuesday 7th May, OLSC, 6.30-7.30pm: Family Sacramental Evening
Sunday 19th May, OLSC, 10am: Community Mass
Sunday 16th June, OLSC, 10am: First Eucharist Mass #1
OR
Sunday 21st July, OLSC, 10am: First Eucharist Mass #2
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.
Sunday 16th June | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aanya K | Adrian J | Alek D | Alliemay W | Alicia L |
Alvina E | Arach D | Axel Q | Benjamin I | Caitlyn L |
Daniel D | Dash V | Emily-Rose M | Ethan M | Evan J |
Finn C | Isabelle P | Jaxon L | Kayden F | Kuei A |
Liliana E | Lucilla L | Meleena W | Mokitha M | Natalie S |
Naveen K | Reuben H | Samantha J | Sanuk M | |
Sunday 21st July | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Arjun K | Daniel S | Deng K | Gia V | Hudson N |
Inari I | Leah F | Leon K | Luke L | Mercy A |
Michael L | Nylah C | Sofie R | Xavier V | Zoie Y |
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
Further information for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be shared with families next week, via a note given to students. Please keep an eye for this letter.
To receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, your child needs to be a baptised Catholic or have been welcomed into the Catholic Church and received the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
The following students have indicated they will be receiving the sacrament this year:
Ana S | Andy P | Anika K | Ava K | Blake C |
Celeste B | Chloe C | Clare P | Elson L | Ethan M |
Evan S | Grace Z | Isabella J | Jacqueline S | Jake B |
Jayden V | Joren B | Kaelynn P | Kobe C | Leon K |
Matthew K | Natasha K | Noah L | Noah Kn | Noah Kr |
Reyne V | Rubylee W | Sabrina L | Scarlett G | Serah J |
Sophia M |
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.
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.
Term 2 | Week 5 - 17th May 12pm Week 9 - 14th June 12pm |
Term 3 | Week 4 - 9th August 12pm Week 9 - 13th September 10am (School Feast Day) |
Term 4 | Week 3 - 25th October 12pm Week 6 - 15th November 12pm |
Community Mass in 2024
Community Masses have resumed and will take place every third Sunday of the month. Mass will take place in the OLSC Sports Centre at 10am. We encourage as many of our families and friends to attend these Masses, as we reinvigorate the Wyndham Vale Catholic Community. These Masses, while taking place on school grounds and involving students from our school, are open to all members of our local community. 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