Education in Faith

Burning of the Palms & Ash Wednesday Mass

Thank you to everybody who participated or helped plan the Burning of the Palms on Shrove Tuesday and our Ash Wednesday Mass. Using ashes obtained by burning palms from the previous Passion Sunday provides a wonderful life-death-life symbol of the paschal mystery to explore. The palms are a symbol of Christ our triumphant king (life); that triumph turns to ashes at the crucifixion (death); being marked with those ashes signifies our commitment to journey to the font at Easter (life).

There will be one more Whole School Mass this Term. This will be the Closing of Term One Mass - Wednesday 2nd April @ 2.00pm. Family and friends are more than welcome to join the students and staff at any of our Whole School Masses, which are always in the OHR Church.

Project Compassion

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten  fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. The theme for this year’s appeal is Unite Against Poverty!

On Tuesday 4th March, our RE Student Leaders attended the Melbourne launch of Project Compassion at Emmaus College. There was a Liturgy led by Archbishop Peter Comensoli as well as a chance to dialogue with students from other Catholic Schools about ideas on how their school could support Project Compassion this Lent.

During Lent our RE Year 5/6 Student Leadership Team will be selling Zooper Dooper icy poles for 50c after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 - 3:30pm at the tuckshop window. This will start on Thursday 6th March. All money raised will be donated to Project Compassion. If anybody would like to donate a pack (or more) of Zooper Doopers please bring them to the office. We can look after the freezing for you‼

Family Led Sunday Mass

During 2025 the Parish, in conjunction with the Parish Primary Schools, has planned Family led weekend Masses. These Masses will be celebrated once a term and be followed by hospitality.  They will be a great opportunity for children and their families to be involved in a Mass within the parish community.

Family Masses will provide an opportunity for families to come together and to support each other in faith.  They can particularly be important for families who are presenting their children for Sacraments throughout the year.  There may be opportunities to reconnect with our own faith as adults.  There may be opportunities to engage with parish life and learn more about the faith, for those who are not so familiar with our local worshiping community.  All families are welcome at these family Masses no matter what your religious background or affiliation.

Family Masses have been scheduled for the following dates this year:       

Saturday 15 March at 6.00 pm (OHR Church)

Special invitation to Year 3 & Year 5 students and families

Sunday, 18 May at 5.00 pm (OLGC Church)

Special invitation to Year 4 students and families (includes First Eucharist Commitment)

Sunday, 17 August at 5.00 pm (OLGC Church)

Special invitation to Year 6 students and families (includes Confirmation Commitment)

Saturday, 15 November at 6.00pm (OHR Church)

Prep, Year 1 & Year 2 and new families for 2026 are particularly invited to this Mass

RE Learning in 3/4 CP

This term’s focus on Choices has the class reflecting on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in both a communal and personal setting.  Through the story of “The Bear With the Sword”, the students were able to identify how choices made by the characters have a lasting impact on both themselves and others around them.

Below is a synopsis of the story and responses from the students’ reflections.

“A bear goes out into the forest with a sword to chop down trees. Soon after, his impenetrable fort is washed away by a flood and he goes out to find and punish the creature responsible.  After accusing a fascinating array of unusual creatures, including the keepers of the dam, a one-eared pig deer, a fox who loves archery and some fruit-loving birds, he finally arrives at the truth: the flood was caused by someone with a sword who chopped down all the trees.”

What speaks to me from this text is…

• Don’t blame others until you have all the facts / proof.
• Be kind with actions and words.
• Forgive others and they will forgive you.
• Apologise for your wrong actions.
• Admit when you are wrong and try to repair.
• Don’t be quick to blame.
• Don’t be mean to others.
• Don’t boast.  Being humble will have you being noticed by others.

Sunday Gospel

The liturgy of the Catholic Church provides a framework for reflection which is used by Catholics throughout the world. Each week in the Newsletter, you will find the Sunday Gospel as well as some discussion questions to have with your child/ren.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ – He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.

Discussion Questions

1. What are your favourite quiet places?

2. What sort of things do you like to do in your quiet place?

3. Quiet places can be very good for praying. Take a moment to think of when you can go to your quiet place this week. What or who can you pray for?

Nick Byrne

RE Leader