Religious Education & Family Educator News

Parish Masses

Grandparents Day Liturgy and Open Classrooms

What a beautiful celebration we shared for our Grandparents Day Liturgy, led by our wonderful Year 1 students and teachers. It was a special opportunity to come together in prayer and give thanks for the love, wisdom and important role grandparents play in the lives of our children.

A very special thank you to our grandparent guest speakers, who shared their stories and wisdom with our community. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the grandparents who were alongside their grandchildren to prepare our prayer place, helping to create such a beautiful and meaningful space for our liturgy.

Our celebration was further enhanced by the wonderful contributions of our Year 6 dancers, choir members and Amadeus performers, who shared their talents and helped make the occasion truly memorable.

We loved seeing our grandparents and guests viewing our artwork exhibition in the library and also taking a moment to check out our wonderful school garden and even planting some new seedlings to watch flourish in the future. 

Thank you to all our grandparents and special guests for joining us and helping us celebrate the gift of family and the special bond between generations. It was a beautiful morning of faith, family and community.

Towards Eucharistic Congress 2028, Sydney  

In Week 3, Mrs Cullen and I attended a special Mass at St Brigid’s Church, Marrickville, led by Bishop Umbers, with representatives from every Catholic School from the Archdiocese of Sydney. 

It was a wonderful and very significant gathering as we marked two years until the 2028 International Eucharistic Congress, when the Pope will visit Australia. 

Ian and Charlotte, from Year 4, were chosen as Student Ambassadors to represent OLF and will be in Year 6 when the Congress takes place and the Pope arrives. During the Mass, our students received commemorative pins. Our school was also presented with a school candle and a special plaque. Over the coming months and years, you will hear and see plenty of information and exciting opportunities as we begin this significant journey of faith preparing to celebrate the gift of the Eucharist and build towards this very special event in 2028. A wonderful time in the history of the Catholic Church. 

Remembrance Day 

As a school we will gather next Wednesday 11th November for our Remembrance Day Service. 

Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the guns falling silent on the Western Front In the First World War: This happened at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. 

The first Remembrance Day was held on 11th November 1919, one year after the war ended.

As a nation we pause each year on the 11th November at 11am to pause and remember all those who have served and died as a result of war. 

It is also a way in which we can ensure that the memories of those who fought and died for our freedom are never forgotten. It is a time to reflect on the horrors of war, the bravery of soldiers, and the impact of their sacrifices on our lives. Through ceremonies, parades, and moments of silence, we come together as a community to honour their memory and express our gratitude.

The day also serves as a reminder of the importance of peace and unity. It prompts us to strive for a world where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and understanding rather than violence. It encourages us to work towards a future where the sacrifices of the past are not in vain.

The final Prayer for the Service reminds us…..

Loving Father,

you always hold and protect us in your love.

Grant eternal rest to those who have died

protecting our nation from the horror of war.

Help us to remember them and honour what they have done by respecting them and never forgetting them. 

Where war rages in our world, we pray that your peace will reign.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Save the dates

SPaRS in the Church

Praying the Rosary in the Month of October

Thank you to the K-3 parents and carers who were able to attend the SPaRs in the Church during October - the month of the Rosary.

Catholics pray the Rosary to meditate on the life of Jesus, seek Mary's intercession, and grow closer to God. It is a Christ-centered prayer that uses beads to help count the prayers as they contemplate specific events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Praying the Rosary can be a form of communal or private prayer and is done for various reasons, including giving thanks, requesting blessings, or seeking strength.  

Here are some photos of our praying class families.                                        

 Please pray for our Reconciliation Candidates

Heavenly Father, we lift up to You these candidates 

who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Open their hearts so that they can understand the precious 

and wonderful gift of love, mercy, and forgiveness that Jesus offers them.

Grant them the courage to be honest, the humility to seek forgiveness, and 

the peace of knowing Your boundless grace. Bless their families, teachers, and catechists who guide them on this journey of faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.                

Fatima Friends

Term 4 Schedule

Week 4: Music time!

Week 5: No Fatima Friends this week

Week 6: Game time with Year 5

Week 7: No Fatima Friends this week (Swimming Carnival)

Week 8: Our final session for the year! Think story, pinata and play

Kindy 2027

It was lovely meeting the 2027 families at the recent Kindy Orientation sessions. 

I am planning a Kindy 2027 Picnic Playdate for Sunday 7th February so we can celebrate the beginning of school life for many of the children and establish new friendships. It starts around 11am and it’s BYO everything! Please pray for sunshine as we will reschedule if it is raining.  I hope to see you there!

Advent Prayer Group - OLF Church

You are invited to attend a Friday morning Advent Prayer group organised by Kay Macadam, a parishioner, on the following dates - 27th November, 4th December, 11th December and 18th December at 10.30am - 11.30am in the OLF Chapel. I hope to attend - come with me!    

Table Talk

By Kiara Pirola

The benefits of family meals are not just due to the superior nutritional intake, which does tend to deteriorate in the ‘eat on the run’ alternative. The social interaction that occurs around the family dinner table provides a sense of belonging and helps family members to develop social skills and build self confidence.

Of course the presence of the TV at dinner time negates many of these benefits. Television dominates conversation and destroys personal interaction. It’s one thing to have this visitor take up residence in the lounge room, it’s another altogether to invite him to dinner!! So if you want to capture the benefits of shared meals for your family, turn off the box!

The most common form of family prayer is grace before meals. Developing an attitude of gratefulness helps us to feel optimistic and positive about our lives. So use this time to develop your family’s awareness of God’s goodness – thank Him not only for the food, but for all his blessings. And don’t forget to ask God to bless  our conversation!

No matter what age your children, sharing something of their day is important for keeping connected with each other. In our family, we open discussion with: “Best and worst, who’s going first?” Other families share the ‘highs and lows’. One wise teacher suggested that parents ask their children “What was one thing you learned at school today?” It doesn’t have to be something from the classroom – sometimes the most important lesson occurred in the playground which is the crucible of their peer relationships.

For variety, establish a ‘question box’ with more exotic conversation starters. Use the suggestions overleaf and add your own over time. Some important questions are the ones for couples. These are a great opening to talk to your older children about marriage and romance and to help them develop a deeper appreciation for their sexuality.

Add some variety and fun to your family meal times with these ideas:

• Make it a formal occasion, with candles, flowers, best dress, and the good china.

• Make it quirky by wearing a bow tie over pajamas, or your best jewelry with a dressing gown.

• Change the venue – eat under the table, on a picnic blanket in the  back yard or on the balcony, sit on the floor at the coffee table.

• Change the order – eat dessert first and the entrée last.

• Let the kids take turns to plan the menu and help prepare it. Even pre-schoolers can be engaged in tasks like dressing the table.

• Have a colour theme – white for Christmas, green for St Patrick’s day (wear green clothes, use green table settings and eat green foods), white for the beginning of the ski season, purple for Advent or Lent, Red for a martyr’s feast day, orange for harmony day, blue for a Marian feast day, or the favourite colour of the birthday child.

Mrs Erin Wing - Religious Education Coordinator

Tracey Bowler I Family & Faith Educator