Family Educator News
Parent & Children Confirmation Retreat Morning
You're Invited! Parents are warmly invited to join their children for a special morning of Mass, a sacramental craft session, and morning tea on Friday, 20th June from 9:00–11am. Together, you’ll create a ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ prayer chain and explore how the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are activated in our lives through the grace of Confirmation. 🕊️ RSVP is essential for catering – please click on the flyer to confirm your attendance. We look forward to sharing this meaningful time with you!
How are your 'Seeds of Hope' growing?
We received this beautiful photo from the community at St Francis of Xavier Lurnea, after they picked up our 'Seeds of Hope' initiative. Their sunflowers are beginning to bloom! If your sunflowers are growing, we'd love to see them!
Please email your photos to us.
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:
Whole School Family Mass to celebrate St Anthony's Feast Day.
Please join us to celebrate the Feast of St Anthony at our whole school Family Mass on Saturday 14th June at 5pm followed by a light supper of homemade Foccacia bread, to commemorate the tradition of St Anthony's bread and Hot Chocolate.
Friday 23rd May: Introducing Our New Outreach Initiative: St Anthony's Hearts of Hope.
Grief touches every life. For families keeping vigil at the bedside of a dying loved one, the days and nights can feel long, lonely, and exhausting. We know this personally. When my mother was dying, we sat by her side for three weeks. During that time, someone gifted us a bundle of small, knitted hearts made by volunteers. Their kindness moved us deeply. Each of my siblings now keeps one of those hearts as a reminder of Mum — and of the love of strangers who cared.
That simple act of compassion inspired our new outreach initiative, St Anthony’s Hearts of Hope. These handmade felt hearts may be small, but they carry a powerful message:
"You are seen. You are loved. We are praying for you."
Every Friday morning from 9–10 am, we’ll gather in the Library to sew and package these hearts with a message of prayer and support, then deliver them to local hospital palliative care units.
We welcome parents, carers, grandparents, and siblings — no sewing experience needed, just a willing heart.
📍 Where: St Anthony’s Library🕘 When: Friday mornings👪 Who: All welcome
We launch during National Palliative Care Week on Friday, May 23rd. No need to register — pop in for a few minutes or stay the hour. Every heart matters.
Friday 13th June: Parent & Grandparent Excursion Opportunity
Parents and Grandparents are invited to join Sydney Catholic Schools for an excursion to the home, museum and chapel of Australia's next Saint Eileen O'Connor in Coogee! The day will include a coastal walk, a presentation about Eileen O'Connor, a tour of her home and time for prayer and reflection at her tomb inside the chapel. Guests can meet me at St Brigid's Church in Coogee at 9.30 am. Lunch is included and the cost is $10pp. I hope you can join me for this special experience. Places are limited so book early!
Laura Neeson,
Family Educator