Religious Dimension
St Roch's Parish Primary School 
A Lenten prayer:
Loving God,
As we enter this Lenten season,
Help us to welcome your call to live as you have taught us to live.
Open our hearts to be more loving, caring and accepting of others.
Enlighten our minds, O Lord, so that we may see what needs to be done to build your kingdom here on earth.
Loving God, we are reminded of your constant presence in our lives.
Help us to be always ready to reach out to you in times of trouble and rejoice with you when times are good.
May we never lose sight of you.
Amen.
Year 3 Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Family Faith Night
To launch the Year 3 Reconciliation program, it was great to see our school hall filled with families and students for our Family Faith Night. Father Gallacher reminded us of the Holy Land as living evidence of our faith and how receiving Reconciliation helps us to grow closer to God.
It was a night full of opportunities to reflect on 'forgiveness' as a family and to create a prayer bag to encourage regular prayer at home together.
Thank you to Father Gallacher, Jess Mount, Kate Ries, Emma Faye, Angie Mastoras and Nadine Bolton for supporting.
Year 3 Family Commitment Mass
Our families also joined together with Father Gallacher and parishioners at the Commitment Mass on Sunday evening. This provided an opportunity for the students to pledge their commitment to the Reconciliation program and to receive a blessing from Father Gallacher.
The students proudly handed out prayer cards to the St Roch's parishoners asking for their prayers over this time.
Ash Wednesday: Whole School Liturgy
To acknowledge the season of Lent, we came together as a school for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Thank you to our Year 6 leaders for supporting this liturgy. Father Gallacher reminded us all how this is a time to 'pray, fast and give'.
Pope Leo XIV also shared 2 core messages with the world at this time:
- A Fast from Hurtful Words: Pope Leo XIV encourages "disarming" our language by abstaining from offensive, harsh, and judgmental speech in everyday life and digital spaces.
- The Power of Listening: The message highlights listening to Scripture to recognize the needs of those suffering, fostering a deeper relationship with God and others.
Term 1, 2026 'Religious Dimension' dates to note:
- Catholic Education Week: 15-22 March
- St Patrick's Day Mass and Concert in the Park (Yr 6 attending): Friday 20 March
- Year 6 and Prep Buddies Mass: Sunday 22 March @ 9.30 am
- Year 3 Reconciliation Retreat Session: Tuesday 24 March @ 9.00am
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Thursday 26 March @ 4.30/5.00pm
- Holy Week Reenactment: Thursday 2 April @ 9.15 am
- Mini Vinnies: 'Project Compassion' Lenten Appeal: due by the end of Term 1
Louise Bolton
Religious Dimension Leader