Education in Faith

Sacramental Program for 2024

The letter linked below about the Sacramental Program for 2024, from Fr Brendan, indicates the celebration dates for 2024 and informs parents about the changes to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

If you have any questions about the information, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office.

Family Led Sunday Mass

During 2024 the Parish, in conjunction with the Parish Primary Schools, has planned Family led Sunday 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 Sunday 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 at Our Holy Redeemer Church in Surrey Hills for the following Sundays this year:       

Sunday, 17 March at 10.30 am

Special invitation to Year 1/2 students and families

Saturday, 18 May at 6.00 pm

Special invitation to Year 3/4 students and families (includes First Eucharist Commitment)

Saturday, 17 August at 6.00 pm

Special invitation to Year 5/6 students and families (includes Confirmation Commitment)

Sunday, 17 November at 10.30 am

Prep and new families for 2025 are particularly invited to this Mass

Mrs Nanette Giovannini will be the parish coordinator of the Family led Masses and will work closely with the schools and parents in order to plan and celebrate these Masses each term.

If you would like to be part of their team or support this new initiative,  the parish would be delighted to hear from you.  You can contact Nanette at Nanette.Giovannini@cam.org.au

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 For all Future Generations.

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. 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‼

RE Learning in 5/6MM

In the tradition of the church, Lent is a time when we are called to reflect on how we live and act. During Lent we spend time praying, fasting, and giving to the poor or almsgiving. 

Each Lent, Caritas conducts a special appeal called Project Compassion. The money that is collected is used to assist countries in times of need or disaster, e.g. famine, flood or war.

In 5/6MM, we have been learning about the season of Lent and reflecting on what it means to us. 

We shared pancakes with our Prep Buddies on Shrove Tuesday. On Ash Wednesday we burnt the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday to mark the beginning of Lent. 

We eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday because it’s a good way to use up ingredients you might be fasting from during Lent like eggs, butter, milk and lard. (Lars R)

We brainstormed some suggestions of what we could do during Lent.

• Spend time meditating and in prayer for other people (Zoe C)
• I’m going to give up Youtube and use that time to rest and pray (Audrey K)
• I am going to try and not have lollies for 40 days (Thomas C)
• I want to try and break my habit of biting my nails and focus on being kind to my brother (Lakyn R)
• I am going to donate my tuck shop money to Project Compassion each week until Easter (Betty J)
• Cut down some TV time and spend that time outside in nature (Jot K)

We also discussed what it means to belong.

One way people feel a sense of belonging is by learning traditions and rituals associated with a group or organisation. 

An example of this is the Christian tradition of Prayer. Prayer can take many forms but there is often a clear structure and traditional prayers.

The catholic church has several formal prayers, that are said at different times of the year or occasions. These include Hail Mary, Our Father, Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen, The Act of Contrition and the Nicene Creed. 

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 Mark

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘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 to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.

 

As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some of the things that you hope for this year?

2. Can you think of a time when you hoped for something but it did not turn out the way you wanted?

3. In today’s gospel Jesus’ friends were surprised to see Jesus change before their eyes. How did they react?

4. Although they were frightened and did not understand what was going on they knew that Jesus was with them. Have there been times when you have been disappointed or did not understand what was going on around you?

We believe that God is always with us. During Lent let us build a better world by making time to speak to God in prayer and help those in need.