From The REC
Loving God,
As we journey through these final weeks of Lent,
Help us to remain faithful in prayer, And generous in love.
Open our hearts to Your grace,
That we may grow closer to You and prepare for the joy of Easter.
Strengthen us in times of weakness,
And guide us to be kind to everyone around us.
May we walk with Jesus in humility,
Embracing the path that leads to new life.
Amen.
Project Compassion
Project Compassion Boxes
We ask that families return their Project Compassion boxes to the school office by next Monday 30th March.
We are aware of many local families doing it tough given the current circumstances so prayers for those in need and random acts of kindness that don't cost money can be just as good as a monetary contribution!
The Sacrament of First Reconciliation
This important Sacrament for students in Year 2 will be celebrated on Tuesday 24th March at 5.30pm in St Francis Xavier's Church
*Please be seated by 5.20 pm at the latest.
*Dress - Smart casual
*To have reverence and focus, a QUIET atmosphere needs to be maintained.
*Each child will receive a medal and a prayer card to remember this special time.
*A voluntary $5 donation is suggested to cover costs.
Family Mass
Thank you to those families who were able to attend our family Mass last Saturday 21st March at St Francis Xavier's Church. This was the last family Mass for this term.
Dates to Remember..
Holy Week Liturgies
To observe Holy Week in the final week of term, students will engage in daily liturgies in the church. The school community are invited to attend:
- Monday, 30th March at 9:20 AM - the Infants students will hold a liturgy centred on Palm Sunday.
- Tuesday, 31st March at 9:20 AM - Stage 2 will reenact the significant events of the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper.
- Wednesday, 1st April at 9:20 AM - Stage 3 will commemorate the Crucifixion of Jesus.
Welcome Fr John Fowles
We wish to extend Fr John a warm welcome to our Parish. Our staff and students have been enjoying getting to know our new Parish Priest through his visits to the school as well as attending Masses together.
Please read the below introduction from Fr John:
My story is that of a country pastor with 25 years in the Wagga Wagga Diocese, where I had the responsibility of developing a new parish complex.
Going back a little further I grew up on a dairy farm in Gippsland and spent my early years working on my father’s farm after which I undertook a wholesale marketing job as a produce buyer. This was an exciting and adventurous life driving transports to Melbourne wholesale market and spending large sums of money each day. The market had its many colourful characters and I often reflect with gratitude I came through having learnt some real-life skills.
After a brief stint in Papua New Guinea, I decided to become a lay missionary pilot but then things changed when the aircraft I was hoping to operate crashed. Just maybe, God had a hand in all of this and I was pointed in the direction of the seminary which seemed to me like a life sentence. However, I survived all those years and was ordained in 1996 by Bishop William Brennan of Wagga Wagga.
After 25 years of service, having built and paid off the newly founded Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Thurgoona, it was time for a change and so I journeyed north and crossed the Queensland border.
Having spent the first four years of my ministry in Queensland undertaking work for priests on leave and parish time in the Burnett Region. I thoroughly enjoyed serving these rural communities. I think my practical skills and experience of country life have helped me as a priest to serve the needs of country people.
I spent one year in Goondiwindi when providentially Armidale received a new bishop who I knew all my priestly life. Hence, I was welcomed into the Diocese of Armidale by Bishop Murphy and clergy, and most importantly by the people of St Francis Xavier Parish and School.
Furthermore, I have been flying light planes since I was nineteen years old and riding motorbikes since I was eleven. I have found these interests beneficial as a way of outreach especially in rural regions.
Fr John Fowles
Altar Servers
If anyone is interested in being trained to be an Altar Server at school and weekend Mass, please contact the school.
Parish Mass Times
Please join our Parish to celebrate the Eucharist. Our Parish offers two Mass times every weekend.
Saturday - 6:00 pm
Sunday - 8:00 am
New St Francis Xavier's Parish Website
St Francis Xavier's Parish has a new website which is now live in its beta version. You can visit the site on https://www.narrabricatholicchurch.au/
The site will make it easier for you to stay connected with the parish news regarding mass times, sacramental information and more.