Education in Faith

Sacramental Dates for 2026

Parents please be aware of the following dates and note them in your calendar:

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 19th November 2026.
• Grade 6 will receive Confirmation – Term 3 on Saturday, 29th, August 2026.

Reconciliation: baptised Catholics in Year 2.

Confirmation: Year 6 Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Take courage. It is I; do not be afraid.”

The readings this Sunday speak beautifully to the experiences of fear, uncertainty and faith that are part of our everyday lives.

In the First Reading, Elijah is waiting for God. A powerful wind passes, followed by an earthquake and fire, yet God is not found in any of these dramatic events. Instead, Elijah encounters God in a gentle breeze.

How often do we expect God to speak to us through something extraordinary? 

Yet perhaps God is already present in the quiet moments ~ in a kind word, a moment of prayer, the beauty of creation, a person who reaches out to us, or the stillness of our own hearts.

The Responsorial Psalm calls us to hope in God's mercy and salvation:

“Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation.”

This is a prayer of trust. We may not always understand what is happening around us, but we can place our lives in God's hands.

The Second Reading from Romans 9:1–5 gives us a glimpse into Paul's heart. Paul speaks with great sorrow and concern for his own people. His words reveal how deeply he cares about their relationship with God.

Paul's faith is not simply something personal. His faith leads him to care about the faith and wellbeing of others.

This challenges us to ask:

Do I care about the faith journey of others?

As Christians, we are not called to walk alone. We are called to encourage, support and pray for one another. Paul's example reminds us that discipleship involves having a heart that notices when others are struggling and responds with love.

The Gospel takes us into the middle of a storm. The disciples are in a boat, struggling against the wind and waves. Jesus comes towards them walking on the water and says:

“Take courage. It is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter responds with courage and steps out of the boat towards Jesus. But when he focuses on the strength of the wind, he becomes afraid and begins to sink. He cries out, “Lord, save me!”, and immediately Jesus reaches out his hand.

Peter's experience is something many of us can recognise. We can begin with confidence and faith, but when difficulties arise, fear can take over. We can become so focused on the “storms” around us that we lose sight of Jesus.

Yet the beautiful message is that Jesus does not abandon Peter when his faith becomes weak. Jesus reaches out his hand.

A key message for our week:

Faith does not mean that there will never be storms.

Faith means knowing that Jesus is with us in the storm.

Sometimes we need to step out of the boat – to take a risk, forgive someone, ask for help, stand up for what is right, try something difficult, or trust God when we cannot see what lies ahead.

And sometimes, like Elijah, we simply need to become quiet enough to recognise that God is already there.

Where is Jesus asking me to trust Him this week?

What “storm” do I need to place into God's hands?

Where might God be speaking to me in the quiet?

Discussion Starters

God in the Quiet ~ Elijah

1. Why do you think God chose to speak to Elijah through a gentle breeze rather than the wind, earthquake or fire?
2. Where do you experience quiet in your life?
3. What might make it difficult for us to hear God?
4. How can we create more moments of stillness and prayer?
5. When have you experienced God's presence through another person?

Faith in the Storm ~ Peter

1. What do you think Peter was feeling when he stepped out of the boat?
2. Why did Peter begin to sink?
3. What are some “storms” that young people experience today?
4. What can cause us to take our eyes away from Jesus?
5. What does Jesus' response to Peter teach us about God's love?

Trusting Jesus

1. What does “Take courage. It is I; do not be afraid” mean to you?
2. Is having faith the same as never being afraid? Why or why not?
3. When might you need to step out of your “boat” and trust God?
4. Who can help us when our faith feels weak?
5. What is one thing you could pray about this week?

If you have any further questions regarding your child receiving these Sacraments, please feel free to contact me at the school.

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose ~ Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

Students will continue to be awarded points for demonstrating Community Spirit, in particular our PBL Values. These points will be added to the Community Spirit House points. The tally so far:

Well done Patrick! However, it’s only the beginning of Term 3 and the points are so close! Still two terms to go!!! And if you read the School Advisory Council section of the newsletter you’ll see an exciting way family members can contribute to the House points!!! 

HOMELESSNESS WEEK 2026

Homelessness Week (3-9 August 2026) is a national opportunity to learn, advocate and take meaningful action. The 2026 theme, Homelessness Action Now, encourages all Australians to work together to create lasting solutions to homelessness. 

Mini Vinnies have decided this is the activity they would like to run to raise awareness about homelessness within our community. Please join us in making origami houses representing the need for more social housing in Victoria. We encourage students to write little messages on their houses which explains why they are making them. There will be a box in each Learning Space for the houses to be placed in and Mini Vinnies will then display them in our hallway.

Instructions to make the origami houses:

How To Make Paper Home Easily For Craft Creator - Origami House Making

Please watch the video in the link below which explains about the Houses at Parliament Program and why we are making origami houses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8GR47WnL5M 

We will be adding the origamis houses to our display for one more week. We will stop at the end of next week, Friday August 14th.

MINI VINNIES SOUP & CHAT NIGHT – TUESDAY AUGUST 18TH - SAVE THE DATE

Parents our annual Mini Vinnies Soup & Chat Night focussing on homelessness will be on Tuesday August 18th this year from 4.30 – 7.30pm. Please save the date so that Mini Vinnies can attend. 

We are also asking Mini Vinnies to collect donations for the evening. They have been given a hard copy sponsor form and this form is also available attached to the permission note on nForma. We would appreciate it if each Mini Vinnie could donate at least $10 by Friday August 14th. On the Soup & Chat Night Mini Vinnies will then decide who these donations will be given to. In the past we have donated to: Soupvans, Ozanam House, Dandenong Education Program. 

I have now contacted any parent who volunteered to make soup. All other items that parents have offered to donate can be brought to the school office Monday17th August and Tuesday 18th August. Thank you so much to all the parents who have offered to make soup, donate items or assist on the night. Soup & Chat Night would not be possible without your assistance.

MINI VINNIES CONFERENCE TERM 3 – Wednesday September 16th 

In Week 10 on Wednesday September 16th, Mini Vinnies have been invited to the Mini Vinnies Conference run by the Youth Engagement Team from St Vincent de Paul. As well as being involved in activities, Mini Vinnies who attend will need to present an action we have taken at SFS. 

The ten Mini Vinnies attending have decided the action they would like to present is Soup & Chat Night. We are now looking at the most interesting way we can present our action. We will keep you posted as we decide on how we will present.

Giuliana

Mini Vinnies Facilitator 

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au