Catholic Identity
PRAYER
Next Sunday marks the third week of the Season of Lent. Sunday’s Gospel from Luke recalls Jesus preaching a lesson on repentance, by telling the parable of The Barren Fig Tree. This Gospel story is the inspiration for the Carl Rahl painting depicted above.
The parable of the Barren Fig Tree contrasts the patience and hopefulness of the gardener with the practicality of the property owner. When told to cut down the fig tree because it is not producing fruit, the gardener counsels patience. If properly tended, the barren fig tree may yet bear fruit. As we will be mid way through Lent on Sunday this Gospel is a timely reminder for us to recommit to our Lenten promises of fasting, praying and almsgiving.
Prayer
Below is a simple prayer, the Act of Hope, which families could pray over the coming weeks of Lent. When we pray the Act of Hope, we show God that we trust in Him. We have faith in Him to take care of us, to lead and guide us in our lives, and to help us to enter into the promise of Heaven.
Act of Hope Prayer
O my God,
Relying on your infinite mercy and promises
I hope to obtain pardon of my sins
The help of your grace, and life everlasting
Through the merits of Jesus Christ
My Lord and Redeemer.
Amen.
HOLY WEEK PRESENTATIONS
Over three days students in Year 1, Year 4 and Year 6 will be presenting the main events of Holy Week. The details of each event are:
Palm Sunday
The Year1s will be retelling the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, on Friday 28th March. Parents can attend either the 12:30 or 2:30 performance. These will take place in the school Hall. The Year 1s have been practising very hard for this production and are looking forward to seeing parents at these performances.
Holy Thursday
Our Year 4 students will be releasing their Last Supper Video on Monday 31st March. Families will be sent a link to this Video via Operoo. This has been a great way for the students to begin their preparations to receive their First Holy Communion later in the year.
Good Friday
The Year 6s will lead our school community through a live reenactment of the passion and death of Jesus, on Wednesday 2nd April. Students will be presenting the 14 Stations of the Cross and giving other students the opportunity to pray and reflect on the sacrifice made by Jesus for us all.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2025
All baptised Catholic students in Year 3, 4 and 6 will be preparing to celebrate a Sacrament this year. Our Year 3s will be going to Confession for the first time this Thursday 20th March to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students in Year 4 will receive their First Holy Communion in Term 2 and our Year 6 students will be Confirmed in Term 3.
An important aspect of preparing for any Sacrament is to attend Mass each weekend. Fr Albert is encouraging every child in the Parish of St Andrew’s who is preparing to celebrate a Sacrament this year, to attend Mass regularly, to receive God’s abundant graces.
Recently all students who are preparing for a Sacrament received their Sacramental Journal. These Journals are given to all children in the Parish who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, their First Holy Communion or to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year. The Journal is an easy way for families to record the Masses they attend throughout the year. Please remember to take a pen to Mass so the priest can sign your Journal for you at the end of Mass.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Baptised Catholic students in Year 3 have been preparing to celebrate their Sacrament of Reconciliation this year. Thank you to all the families who attended our Meeting Night last week. A reminder that the Sacrament will take place this Thursday 20th March @ 7:00pm in the School Hall. We look forward to seeing everyone on the night and thank you once again for your continued support.
COMMUNITY MASSES 2025
Throughout the year we will be holding a number of Community Masses here in our school hall. These Masses are generally celebrated on the fourth Saturday of the month (excluding school holidays or where the weekend is next to a public holiday). Families with a child preparing for a Sacrament this year received their Sacramental Journal at the February Community Mass. Those who were unable to attend are required to attend our March Community Mass this coming Saturday 22nd March and will be receiving a reminder via Operoo. Below is a list of this year’s Community Mass dates, we look forward to seeing many of our families there.
Saturday 22nd March
Saturday 24th May
Saturday 28th June
Saturday 26th July
Saturday 23rd August
Saturday 25th October
Saturday 22nd November
Parish Take Away Sheet
SACRAMENTAL DATES 2025
Below are our Sacramental Dates for this year. These dates are particularly important for Baptised Catholic students in Years 3, 4 & 6. Families need to be aware the Sacrament of Reconciliation has two important dates coming up in March.
