Dear St John's Community,

Oops, our apologies, we missed the last newsletter! We are all a little red-faced about that! Hopefully, we can make it up to you with this one!

Some of you have noticed that this term has been a bit messy with assemblies, newsletters and the new Science & Tech arvos as we have tried to work out how to fit them all in. If you haven't noticed (phew), if you have, (thanks for your patience while we get this right!)

We are returning to the normal routines for the newsletter from next term (Every odd week). Assembly will be three times a term and the dates will be in the first newsletter next term. The first assembly will be on Friday of week 3. Science & Tech Arvos will move to a Monday afternoon and those dates will be announced in the first newsletter next term as well as in level communications from the teachers.

Recently, I was talking with my sister whose own family are working through a few tricky things at the present time and she made a statement that made me think back to a lecture I attended last year. She commented in a half-joking manner that God must be testing her in some way. The lecture I am referring to was given by a Jesuit priest, Fr Richard Leonard, who has written several books, one of them being 'Where the hell is God?' which deals directly with the idea of how can God allow bad things to happen to good people.

Fr Richard talks about his sister, Tracey, who a drunk driver made a quadriplegic. He struggled with the sense of it all and was frustrated that people were saying to him things like, 'she must have done something to deserve God’s punishment, or 'she'll be rewarded greatly in heaven for her suffering' and, 'God only sends the biggest crosses to those who can bear them'.

He warns us this is very bad theology and it does nothing to draw people to want to believe in God. Who wants to believe in a God who can be so vindictive? Who wants to be a Catholic if they get the biggest crosses to bear? Not a great rallying call!

What helped Fr Leonard hold on to his faith through this dark period was his belief that God does not directly make bad things happen, either to punish us or to teach us lessons.

How can he believe this so strongly?

He says, 'Such actions cannot be in the nature of God, because, through Jesus, God is revealed as being “about life, not death, construction not destruction, forgiveness not retribution, healing not pain, and love, not hate".

Fr Leonard calls on us to recognise that God’s will can be found more in the big picture than in the small.

“God has created a world which is less than perfect, or else it would already be heaven, and in which suffering, disease and pain are realities. Some of these we create for ourselves and then blame God.”

“I have lost count of the number of people who have said to me, ‘I cannot believe in a God who allows famines to happen’. I think God wonders why we let famines happen.

He explains that God allows the world to evolve, which includes allowing the effects of our own moral and physical choices to create the capacity for injustice and suffering. God does not kill people, we do, God does not create famines, humans create the conditions that allow it to occur. God does not give you cancer, or incurable illnesses either. But he does give us the capacity to solve these problems and support us in this way, but he's not going to do it for us because for that to occur we would already be dwelling with him in heavan.

He also states, 'God is not responsible because we refuse to make the hard choices that would see our world transformed into a more just and equal place for everyone.'

In fact, there is only one surety, John 1:5 'God is light, in him there is no darkness at all.'

Darkness exists in our hearts and in our world that's why we need God, we need to seek light, and God's light is love.

Reconciliation

Congratulations to the students who made their First Rite of Reconciliation last week. They begin their preparations now for their very first Holy Communion.

Easter Raffle

Thanks to all those who were able to donate goodies for the Easter Raffle. Congratulations to all the winners. We are all going to come to your place on Easter and share the bounty with you...only kidding!

Thanks to the parent helpers for putting the hampers together and organising all the ticket sales. Legends!

Budding Chess Masters

Several of our students participated in the recent Tournament at Karingal Primary School where over 170 students from across a number of schools attended. I think from these photos you can tell they had a great time! We are planning to restart our own Chess Club next term.

Alleluia Day

Normally Easter falls at the start of the school holidays which makes it hard because as Catholics, pre Easter is a sombre time and it's after Easter Sunday when we can let loose and really celebrate that Jesus has Risen. These holidays, it falls at the end of the holidays so on the first day back we can celebrate our Alleluia Day. Students will be able to wear bright and colourful casual clothes and will participate in a variety of engaging activities over the day.

St John's Footy Tips

For those of you who have joined the first-ever St John's Community Footy Tipping this year. It's already shaping up to be a tough fight. And yes...my beloved Blues have let me down so my tips are already trailing behind (as many love to point out :P ) But... there are still a few weeks to go, so watch out! I'll be chasing down the leaders.

Thanks to Mr Lefebvre for taking the initiative to set this up for this season.

Operoo Account & nForma App

Please make sure you set up your child's account on Operoo so all our correspondence and permission forms, etc, can get to you.

Please make sure you have downloaded the nForma App and set up your account. You need to use the same email address you used for the school to set up the account so you can access your child's information. All parent-teacher meetings will be managed and booked through the nForma App.

SAM4SCHOOLS

Those of you with Working with Children Checks may receive emails from SAM4SCHOOLS in the next few weeks as we transfer your details to the new checking system.

Enjoy the holidays and have a happy and Safe Easter. May the joys of the Risen Christ be yours on Easter Sunday!

Kind regards,

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

Jokes of the week:

Q. What do you get if you pour hot water down a rabbit hole?

A. Hot Cross bunnies!

Q: What is Easter Bunny's favourite music?

A. Hip Hop

Q: What do you call an Easter egg from outer space?

A: An eggstraterrestrial (Try saying that fast!)

Fun facts of the week:

The biggest Easter egg in the world weighs a quarter of a tonne and is in Vegreville, Alberta in Canada.

The first known chocolate Easter egg was made in 1873 by the Fry family in Bristol, England. 2 years later, Cadbury made their first egg.

On Good Friday in Germany it is illegal to dance.

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