Mission & Religious Education News
Prayer for Pope Francis
Loving God,
We ask you to look with favor on your servant Francis, who has served you as a Jesuit, a priest, an Archbishop, a Cardinal, and now as a Pope.
Most of all, he has served you as a faithful Christian, sharing the love, mercy and compassion that your Son showed all he encountered, especially those who were poor or struggling.
As Pope Francis faces this new illness, help the doctors and nurses who care for him, help him to bear any pain with grace, and help him to heal quickly. We ask this in your Holy Name.
Amen
Lent and Ash Wednesday: A Time of Renewal
Lent begins this year is on March 5
Lent is a sacred season in the Catholic Church, lasting 40 days (excluding Sundays), beginning on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, helping us to reflect on our faith and grow closer to God.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. On this day, Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross, a biblical sign of repentance and humility. The ashes remind us of our mortality and call us to turn away from sin and follow Christ more faithfully. This tradition dates back to the early Church and continues as a powerful expression of our journey towards Easter.
Throughout Lent, Catholics are encouraged to pray, fast (especially on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday), and give to those in need. These practices prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter, the most important feast in the Christian calendar.
May this Lent be a time of renewal and grace for our school community!
Long Walk for Water
Armidale Catholic Schools has registered a team for Caritas Australia’s Long Walk For Water. If you would like to sign up, please use our team link and sign up through the “Join My Team” button!
Pilgrims of Hope
The Cathedral is on a pilgrimage! How is that possible? Well, it is not quite the actual Cathedral but it is a very detailed miniature replica. It will visit every parish and every school will have an opportunity to visit the mini Cathedral to find out more about the role of the Bishop, the place of the Cathedra and the Cathedral. The pilgrimage kicks off with Jubilee Day at the actual Cathedral on March 25 which coincides with the Annunciation. Mass is at 12:15pm and there is morning tea, adoration and lunch in the cathedral precinct from 10.00am. Please RSVP to Damian Roff.
Cornerstones
Cornerstones is a micro qualification run through BBI-TAITE for ACS staff that is helpful in upskilling those working or intending to in the Religious Education space. It is a free qualification with time given each term for webinars and workshops to complete tasks.
To enrol or to continue your enrolment from last year, simply complete THIS FORM.
Dates for Cornerstones this term (choose one) are March 14 or March 28.
As this is a BBI-TAITE course, not an ACS course, if you have any problems with the Zoom classes or the Blackboard site, please contact BBI directly.
New Staff Induction
New Staff to our schools and system are required to attend an induction day in Armidale. There are 3 dates throughout the year to ease the burden for schools with a number of new staff and to cater for those that join the diocese later. To register for these days, please liaise with your leadership team and complete THIS REGISTRATION FORM.
The dates for 2025 are:
- September 4
- October 23
Upcoming Important Church Calendar Days
February
Thu 27 Saint Gregory of Narek
March
Tue 4 Saint Casimir
Wed 5 Ash Wednesday
Fri 7 commemoration of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
Sat 8 commemoration of Saint John of God
Sun 9 1st Sunday of Lent
Sun 16 2nd Sunday of Lent
Mon 17 Saint Patrick
Tue 18 commemoration of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
Wed 19 Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sun 23 3rd Sunday of Lent
Tue 25 The Annunciation of the Lord
4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)