Education in Faith News 

Catholic Education Week:  15-22 March 2026 

Catholic Education Week will be celebrated in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne from 15-22 March 2026.

This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools everyday. The theme for this year’s celebrations is,

“Christ beside me: Walking in the footsteps of Saint Patrick”.

This year’s theme celebrates the significance of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of our local Church in Melbourne. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, our mother Church, is named after the saint of Ireland. Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic identity, the pivotal role they play within their local community and the strength of the sector.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and walk the way of the gospel to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.

There are 335 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne that educate around 150,000 students and employ more than 20,000 teachers and staff, and most will celebrate Catholic Education Week in some way.

As part of St John’s involvement in Catholic Education we will be sending 10 of our student leaders, along with Ms Alison, to Saint Patrick's Cathedral to represent our parish in this 175 year anniversary year where they will proudly process our school banner at the commencement of mass and then join the many other schools for a Concert in the Park.

Third Week of Lent

Every dollar raised by our school community in support of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion this Lent will help empower people across the world to build stronger, more resilient futures for themselves and their families. People just like Monoranjon. 

Monoranjon lives in a coastal village in southwest Bangladesh, one of the regions most affected by climate change. He and his family face extreme heat, cyclones and water scarcities, which often destroy his crops and threaten his livelihood.

Things began to change when Monoranjon joined the Community Managed Sustainable Livelihoods and Resilience Program run by Caritas Bangladesh, with the support of Caritas Australia. Through the program, he learnt climate-resilient farming techniques including organic vegetable cultivation and livestock vaccination, meaning he is now able to grow salt-tolerant vegetables and raise livestock.

Today, Monoranjon’s income has improved, allowing him to send his children to school and protect their futures from poverty. He also now teaches others in his village, inspiring further change and opportunity across the community.

Watch Monoranjon’s story HERE to learn more about how our school is changing lives around the world - ensuring that people have the tools they need to face poverty, climate change and disaster.

Will you join us and walk alongside people like Monoranjon this Lent?   

Please donate today.

You can support Project Compassion 2026 through the donation boxes or by scanning the QR code.  Or online at: projectcompassion.org.au Or by calling: 1800 024 413

Thank you for standing with us as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

Sacrament Dates

First Eucharist   

• Presentation Parish Masses - weekend of 28/29 March @ 6pm, 8:30am or 10:30am 

• Family Faith Formation Evening - Tuesday 5 May @ 6pm

• Sacrament Celebration - Sunday 17 May 1pm (4D) & 3pm (4BT)

Confirmation  

• Commitment Parish Masses - Weekend of 13 /14 June @ 6pm, 8:30am or 10:30am 

• Family Faith Formation - Wednesday 5 August @ 6pm

• Sacrament Celebration - Friday 28 August @ 6pm held at Mary Immaculate Ivanhoe

Reconciliation 

• Presentation at Parish Mass - Thursday 30 July @ 9:15am

• Family Faith Formation - Wednesday 9 September @ 6pm

• Sacrament - Thursday 15th October @ 6pm