Family and Faith

Thank you to the families who were able to celebrate fathers and father figures at the Bunnings Father’s Day Family Event last week. It was a wonderful night for all. Here are a few photos. So sorry I couldn't include everyone who attended.   Here are a few photos. So sorry I couldn't include everyone who attended.

And congratulations to the Bedwell family who won the major prize of the night!

The difference that dad makes

We all have a father, and almost any man can biologically father a child, but the irreplaceable and unique role of fathers is often little acknowledged. Fathers today are more likely to be closely involved and emotionally connected with their growing children than their grandfathers were. This is good news for children for many reasons.

1. Fathers get physical

Dads generally play (and roughhouse) with their children in ways that mums and older siblings don’t. They create excitement around physicality, but also predictability. They give their children (especially boys) opportunities to learn about masculinity without fear of being hurt – well not too much, and certainly not on purpose.

2. Fathers encourage risk

When it comes to their children, fathers are less risk-averse than mothers. They encourage their children to climb that tree, jump off that wall, or ride down that hill. They promote taking on challenges and push their children to be more independent. As a general rule, dads dislike cotton wool and bubble wrap around their kids.

3. Fathers protect

Fathers generally offer a physicality that children feel safe with. Their physical size, their strength, and their confidence or ‘presence’ gives children a secure base, a place to come back to and feel safe.

4. Fathers discipline

Research fairly consistently shows that dads are generally firmer with discipline than mums. They’re also more consistent with discipline and limits.

Mums can do all of that too!

While it’s true that mums can play and roughhouse, encourage independence, protect, and discipline frequently and firmly, there seems to be something different about what dads do and how they do it. And it’s these differences that appear to lead to important and positive outcomes for children, especially girls.

Fathers are a great gift to us all. CathFamily has put together a free printable for you to use in Father’s Day celebrations or just to share with family and friends.A big thanks to all our fathers!

Holy Communion Masses

Congratulations to the Year 3 children who made their First Holy Communion last weekend. The final Year 3 candidates will make their First Holy Communion this weekend. We wish them the grace of God as they receive Jesus for the first time.

 THANK YOU! - Prayer cards for Year 12 

- For De La Salle HSC Students  

Thank you so much to the families who have written the most beautiful prayers for the Yr 12 students at De La Salle College.This week the Family Educators will be assembling the HSC Prayer Packs and delivering the packs to the College on Monday 18th September. We know that the Yr 12 students will be grateful for the messages of support and encouragement from the OLF community.

Fatima Friends

What a great time we had starting off the OLF Book Week Parade! Thank you to all the Fatima Friends and families for coming along and supporting this event. Here are some happy snaps from the day. Slinky (a.k.a. Ms Bowler) had to visit the Animal Hospital in the Office to get her tail untangled. The Kindy teachers dressed as Toy Story characters.

Fatima Friends - Term 4: 

Friday at 9.05 am after Assembly

            Week 3 - 27th October  

            Week 4 - 3rd November 

            Week 5 - 10th November

            Week 7 - 24th November

            Week 8 - 1st December

            Week 9 - 8th December  

            N.B No playdates in Week 1, 2, 6 and 10

All Pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies with their parents or carers are all welcome to Friday Fatima Friends at 9.10am after our school Prayer Assembly in the playground.

WELCOME 2024 KINDERGARTEN FAMILY MASS

Saturday 4th November at 5.30pm in the Church. 

Please come! 

The OLF Parish community is welcoming 2024 Kindergarten families at this Mass.

Year 5, Year 4 and Year 1 students and families will be invited to lead us in the liturgy.

Each Kindy child will receive a special Prayer Pack at this Mass.

Gingerbread House Kits 

The Gingerbread House Making Night has been organised for parents and carers (adults only) on Wednesday 29th November from 6pm to 8pm in Keller Hall. Please email me your interest in either attending an adults only night at the Hall or a take-home kit as I have ordered 50 kits, so it will be first in first served! Each kit costs $40 and includes the house kit, board, icing bag, ribbon, cellophane and a prayer card. An order form will be issued Week 2 Term 4 but secure your early bird order with an email to me ASAP.

Vinnies Fundraiser Spring Lunch

The Catholic MEN’S CONFERENCE - ‘BE NOT AFRAID’ 

When:   Saturday, September 16th

Where:  St Mary’s Cathedral Hall  - Register NOW 

Cost: Adult: $55    Concession: $45          Clergy / Seminarians: FREE 

Click on this link to book:  https://www.trybooking.com/CKKFQ

The Inaugural ‘Catholic Men’s Conference’ – BE NOT AFRAID is a one day conference for men (18 yrs. plus) at St Mary's Cathedral Hall from 8am to 4.30pm.

The conference will include breakfast, coffee/tea, guest speakers, Q&A Panel, adoration, confession, mass in St Mary’s Cathedral, lunch and fellowship.

Keynote Speakers: Fr Daniele Russo and Fr Greg Morgan

Special Guest: Danny Abdallah on the ‘Power of Forgiveness’

Not to be missed. Limited tickets and Register NOW! - “Be Not Afraid”

See You Next Term!

This is my last Family and Faith newsletter for this term as I go on Long Service Leave to visit the Vatican city where our Holy Father Pope Francis resides and the sacred site of Međugorje which is a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Međugorje has been an unofficial place of Catholic pilgrimage since the Virgin Mary appeared on Apparition Hill in 1981. I’m looking forward to seeing the “Queen of Peace” statue marking the site of the 1st apparition and the one in front of the St. James Church. I’m so excited!

The Vatican City                                                     Međugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Please keep me in your prayers!

Tracey Bowler | Family Educator

tracey.bowler@syd.catholic.edu.au