Spiritual Connections

Diocesan Theme 2026 – Seek Peace and Pursue It. 

Mercy Values: 

The core Mercy values, deeply grounded in the tradition of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, centre on;  

*compassion,      *justice,  

*respect,          *hospitality,  

*service,           *courage.  

Respect: 

In the Mercy tradition, respect is a core value, defined as treating every person with dignity and recognising their inherent worth. It involves valuing self and others, practising courtesy, honouring diversity, and recognising the "goodness in everyone”. 

So always treat others as you would like them to treat you. 

Matthew 7:12 

Key Aspects of Respect in Mercy Values: 

• Dignity of the Person: Recognising everyone as special and loved by God. 
• Treatment of Others: Treating others with kindness, compassion, and how you would want to be treated. 
• Self-Respect: Taking responsibility for personal actions, behaviours, and learning. 
• Inclusivity: Welcoming all individuals and appreciating diversity. 
• Respect for Creation: Caring for property, the environment, and the community.  

Respect calls us to treat each person with dignity, knowing we are all valued and loved by God. 

How to Practise Respect: 

• Courtesy: Speaking politely and listening to others. 
• Stewardship: Caring for the belongings of others and respecting privacy. 
• Responsibility: Acting with integrity, honesty, and fairness. 

“Now and again bestow some praise.” 

Catherine McAuley. 

Wellsprings: 

A reading from the  Gospel of John (14:1-12) 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” 

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” 

The Gospel of the Lord. 

Reflection: 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms…” These beautiful words of John are often heard at funerals. We hear Jesus console his disciples hours before he meets his own death. “Do not let your hearts be troubled”.  

Like the disciples, we are promised a place in our Father’s house. How challenged our faith is when we hear these words of comfort! But Jesus reassures us that he is the way, the truth, and the life. That the Father lives in him as the Father lives in us. If we follow the example of Jesus, we, too, will know the Father. 

Sacred Heart 2026 Sacramental Program. 

Congratulations to the following children who made their First Reconciliation on Wednesday, 25th March. 

Alexandra H    Ruby D 

Mia L                 Olivia W 

Domenic C       Maycey B 

Stasiya B           Nunzio M 

Alec M              Olivia D 

Charlie D          Angelina C 

Evelyn T            Lottie S 

 It was a special occasion for the children and their families. We thank Fr Uday and Fr Vijay for leading us in our celebration. 

our celebration. 

Charlie was unable to attend on the evening – he will make his reconciliation in the coming weeks after a Friday parish mass. 

Preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist will commence at the beginning of Term 3. Key dates for this are listed below: 

Tuesday July 15th: Parent ONLY Information Session: Faith Formation / Program 

Outline

Sunday September 13th: Confirmation / Eucharist Mass at 10:30am Fr Uday.  

School-Led Liturgies: 

Once a term, as a school, we are rostered on to lead Sunday parish mass at 10:30am. There are many jobs to be covered during Mass, such as readings, or bringing up the gifts at offertory time. If families would like to help with these, could you please email me at school and I will arrange for this. Our involvement in weekend liturgies is a great way of connecting with our parish community. 

Email: tmcdonald@shtatura.catholic.edu.au 

School-Led liturgy date: 

Sunday 31st May: 10:30am. 

                      Project Compassion in 2026 

Thankyou to all our families for your generous support of Project Compassion this year. As a school community, we were able to raise $1100.00 to support the work of Caritas Australia. This money will go a long way to supporting communities in need. 

Sisilia, a student in Tanzania, has written a letter to express her thanks to all schools for their fundraising during Lent. She has shared the impact is has had on improving their lives of those in her school and community. 

Jambo! (That means hello in Swahili!) 

My name is Sisilia – I’m 13 years old and I live in a small village in northern Tanzania. 

For a long time, I had to walk long distances every day to collect water. It would take me up to 30 minutes each way, and I had to do it three times a day! The water would sometimes make me sick, and the long walks often left me feeling very tired and unable to focus on my studies. But with the help of students like YOU and your amazing support of Caritas Australia, everything has changed. 

Thanks to Caritas Australia, my school and village now have clean water taps – and they have made such a difference! It now takes me just two minutes to collect safe, clean water for my family, giving me more time to focus on my education, my favourite subjects (English, Science and Maths), and to chase my dream of one day becoming a pilot. I also joined a SWASH (School Water, Hygiene and Sanitation) Club, where I help to teach my friends about hygiene and sanitation through songs and poems – sometimes, we even get to teach our parents too! I feel proud to be able to share what I have learned with the rest of my community. 

Your fundraising during Project Compassion is making a huge difference, helping children like me go to school and build brighter futures instead of spending hours walking for water. 

I hope you feel proud – I think you are incredible! 

Asante Sana (thank you very much), 

Sisilia Tanzania. 

Term 2 Events/Dates: 

Friday 8th May: Mother’s Day breakfast and mass. 

Sunday 17th May: Feast of the Ascension. 

Friday 22nd May: Grade 1/2 attending mass. 

Sunday 24th May: Feast of Pentecost. 

Monday 25th May: Our Lady Help of Christians. 

Friday 29th May: Grade 3/4 attending mass. 

Sunday 31st May: Trinity Sunday. 

Sunday 31st May: School Led Liturgy. 10:30am. 

Sunday 7th June: Corpus Christi. 

Friday 12th June: Feast of the Sacred Heart – Giving Mass. Whole School Mass. 

School Feast Day. 

Kind regards, 

Tony McDonald. 

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