Dear Parents

All Saints and Souls Day

On November 1 we celebrated the feast of All Saints Day. On this day we honour all the holy men and women, known and unknown, who, having lived lives of heroic virtue, now enjoy the full glory of heaven. I love the description by Fr Mike Schmitz of the saints as our family in heaven, cheering us on as we travel our life’s journey.

Thank you to all the families who braved some pretty dramatic weather to join us for our All Souls candlelight procession on Monday. The Catholic Church dedicates the entire month of November to the Holy Souls. As we believe that the prayers and intercessions of the saints in heaven assist us in our times of need, we also believe that the holy souls in purgatory rely on our prayers for them. Prayers we could offer include offering a mass for them, praying the rosary or visiting a cemetery.

Pope Leo in his All Souls homily this year reminded us that death does not have the last word, rather that we wait in hope, “hope founded on the Resurrection of Jesus who has conquered death and opened for us the path to the fullness of life”.

Remembrance Day

Last Sunday morning, our year 6 students Alison H and Lukas O joined Mr Anderson and

Mrs Seric for a moving Remembrance day service at Ashfield RSL Club.

They assisted in distributing the Order of Service booklets, rosemary sprigs and poppies. We received many compliments for the respectful and courteous service they offered, clearly demonstrating our school motto Serviam.

On a sunny Sunday, 107 years after the guns fell silent to end World War 1, our students laid a wreath on behalf of our school, helping to ensure that we continue to remember those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy today.

The Heartfelt Community

The Heartfelt Community offers faith based grief support, led by people with a lived experience of grief. They are holding a fundraiser at Strathfield Golf Club on Nov 26, featuring talks by Charbel Raish and Fr John Iacono. Further details available here.

Faith and Family Session

It was lovely to spend an afternoon with the parents and students of Year 3, as we continue our Faith and Family sessions, learning about St Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be declared a saint.

Parents and carers are invited to join us in their child’s classroom as we conclude our Faith and Family afternoons in the coming weeks,

Year 5 Thursday November 13 at 2:15pm

Year 6 Thursday November 20 at 2:15pm

Playgroup

Our Playgroup on

Thursday mornings, from 9-10:30 in the school hall.

I look forward to welcoming all preschool aged children, together with their parents, grandparents and carers for a morning of play, craft and Storytime.

Our final playgroup for the term will be on December 4, with Christmas themed craft and songs.

Advent

Preparing our hearts Advent retreat on Saturday November 15.

The joyful and engaging Sisters of Life are holding a retreat at St Joachim’s Lidcombe on Saturday November 29. It’s a wonderful opportunity to pause from our busy lives and prepare for Advent. Tickets are limited, available here.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, ana.seric@syd.catholic.edu.au

Wishing you a blessed week ahead,

Ana Seric

Family Educator

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