Ash Wednesday Prayer Service 2026

Please join us as we celebrate Ash Wednesday with a whole school Prayer Service in the GATHERING SPACE (adjacent to the Library) at 2:40pm.

All are welcome!

Tomorrow we celebrate Ash Wednesday, an important day in the Church year that marks the beginning of Lent. During our liturgy, each member of our school community will receive a small cross of ashes on their forehead.

The ashes are made from palm leaves blessed on last year’s Palm Sunday. They remind us that Lent is a time to turn back to God, to say sorry for our mistakes, and to try to live more like Jesus. The cross reminds us that Jesus is at the centre of our lives and that through Him we are given new life and hope.

Lent is a special 40-day season of prayer, giving and sacrifice. During this time, we focus on three important practices: prayer, fasting (giving something up), and almsgiving (helping others). Lent helps prepare our hearts for the great celebration of Easter.

Project Compassion – Unite Against Poverty

During Lent, we also support Caritas Australia through Project Compassion, its annual Lenten fundraising campaign. For over 50 years, Project Compassion has helped vulnerable communities around the world by providing access to clean water, education, healthcare and sustainable food sources.

The 2026 theme, “Unite Against Poverty,” reminds us that while we may not be able to change the whole world at once, each small act of generosity can make a real difference. The good we do today can create lasting change for future generations.

Each classroom has a Project Compassion box. We encourage all students and families to support this important cause and to donate generously this Lent. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope to others.

Thank You ~Staff Commissioning & Prep Welcome Mass

We sincerely thank Fr Jerald for presiding over our Commissioning Masses.

Thank you to all Holy Trinity and St Mary’s staff who were able to attend the Staff Commissioning Mass. Your presence and commitment to our community are greatly appreciated.

It was also wonderful to see so many families in attendance, especially our Prep families. Sharing this special celebration together continues to strengthen the connection between our parish and school community.

It was lovely to see staff and many families stay afterwards to enjoy a sausage in bread, mingle, meet new families and spend time chatting together. These simple moments help build the strong sense of community that we value so highly.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us. Your support and participation helped make the celebration a special and meaningful occasion for our whole community.

Celebrating a Special Sacrament ~Baptism

We are delighted to share that Oscar and Heidi were recently baptised at St Jude’s Church.

Baptism is a very special moment in the life of a Catholic, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith and welcoming each child into the family of God. As a school community, we celebrate this important step with Oscar and Heidi and keep them in our prayers.

We congratulate them and their family on this joyful occasion and look forward to supporting them as they continue to grow in faith within our parish and school community.

Sacrament of First Reconciliation 2026 ~Enrolment Information

The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is available to students who have been baptised and are in Year 3 or above and have not yet received this Sacrament.

The Parish of St Jude’s and Holy Trinity School are offering all eligible students the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in 2026.

At St Jude’s Parish and Holy Trinity, students usually receive the Sacraments in the following order:

Sacrament of First Reconciliation –Year 3
Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion) –Year 4
Sacrament of Confirmation –Year 6

An Enrolment eForm has been sent to all families in Years 3–6 to ensure everyone is informed. Some students may not be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation this year. However, if your child has recently been baptised or has not yet received this Sacrament, they may now be eligible.

Sacramental Preparation Requirements

Preparation for the Sacrament takes place in the classroom during Religious Education lessons. Students will also complete follow-up activities at home with their families.

There has been a small change to the Sacramental Program.

Please note that the previously advertised Parent-Only Workshop (Wednesday 25 February) has been cancelled.

Each family preparing for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation must participate in three compulsory components:

Commitment Mass
The child receiving the Sacrament and at least one parent must attend.
Parent & Child Workshop
The child receiving the Sacrament and at least one parent must attend together.
The Sacrament of First Reconciliation
Celebration of the Sacrament at St Jude’s Parish.

Please note:Families will only be able to book their child’s Sacrament date once they have:

Attended the Commitment Mass
Attended the Parent & Child Workshop
Completed any associated preparation tasks

We look forward to working with you as you support your child in preparing for this important step in their faith journey.

Key Dates…

Sacrament of Reconciliation Commitment Mass:

Term 1 Wk 5

Saturday 28 February

from 6:00-7:00pm

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend OR

HT & SJ

Term 1 Wk 5

Sunday 1 March

from 10:30-11:30am

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend

HT & SJ

First Reconciliation Workshop (one parent must attend both):

Term 1 Wk 6

Wednesday 4 March

from 6:30-7:30pm

at St Jude’s Parish Centre

child & at least one parent to attend

HT

Sacrament of First Reconciliation:

Term 1 Wk 8

Wednesday 18 March

from 6:30~7:30pm

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend

HT & SJ

Please indicate whether your child will be receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in 2026 by completing the enrolement eform by Thursday 26 February 2026.

Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion)

The Sacrament of First Eucharist is available for students in Year 4 or above who have been Baptised and made their Reconciliation and are yet to receive this Sacrament. Therefore, the Parish of St Jude’s and schools will be offering all our Year 4 students or above the opportunity to partake in the Sacrament of First Eucharist.

Key Dates…

Sacrament of First Eucharist Commitment Mass:

Term 2 Wk 2

Saturday 2 May

from 6:00-7:00pm

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend OR

HT & SJ

Term 2 Wk 2

Sunday 3 May

from 10:30-11:30am

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend

HT & SJ

First Eucharist Family Workshop:

Term 2 Wk 4

Wednesday 6 May

from 6:30-7:30pm

at St Jude’s Parish Centre

child & at least one parent to attend

HT

Sacrament of First Eucharist:

Term 2 Wk 2

Saturday 16 May

from 2:00-3:00pm

at St Jude’s Church

HT Sacrament of First Eucharist

HT

Sacrament of Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is available for students in Year 6 who have been Baptised, made their Reconciliation and First Eucharist and are yet to receive this Sacrament. Therefore, the Parish of St Jude’s and schools will be offering all our Year 6 students the opportunity to partake in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Key Dates…

Sacrament of Confirmation Commitment Mass:

Term 3 Wk 3

Saturday 1 August

from 6:00-7:00pm

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend OR

HT & SJ

Term 3 Wk 3

Sunday 2 August

from 10:30-11:30am

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend

HT & SJ

Sacrament of Confirmation Family Workshop :

Term 3 Wk 3

Wednesday 5 August

from 6:30-7:30pm

at St Jude’s Parish Centre

child & at least one parent to attend

HT

Sacrament of Confirmation:

Term 3 Wk 6

Friday 21 August

from 6:00-7:30pm

at St Jude’s Church

Sacrament of Confirmation

HT & SJ

Information regarding enrolling your child/ren in a Sacrament will be shared via SIMON, in the weeks leading up to the beginning of the particular Sacramental Program.

Kind regards,

Denham Harvie

Religious Education Leader

Week Day Masses

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday , Mass at 9.15am

Weekend Masses

Saturday 6pm,

Sunday 8.30am & 10.30am

Reconciliation: Saturday 5.30pm - 5.50pm

Ash Wednesday Masses

Wednesday 18th February - 9.15am & 7.30pm

Cath Events Website -www.CathEvents.org.au

This new website has manopportunities to participate in prayer gatherings, formation days, parish renewal training, caminos, professional development and more.

Now available on Australia’s Catholic events hub, CathEvents. Find online and in-person events to help connect with God and your fellow Catholics!

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