Director Faith and Mission
Mrs Loretta Shannon
Holy Week
Commences this Sunday 29th March, with Palm Sunday.
Prayer for Holy Week
Loving God,
As we enter this sacred time of Holy Week,
we walk with Jesus on his journey of love.
Help us to welcome him with open hearts,
as the people did on Palm Sunday.
Teach us to serve others with humility,
as Jesus did at the Last Supper.
Be with us in moments of sorrow and struggle,
as we remember the sacrifice of Good Friday.
And fill us with hope as we wait in faith,
trusting in the promise of new life.
Guide our thoughts, our actions, and our hearts this week,
so that we may grow in compassion, courage, and love.
May we follow Jesus more closely,
and live out his message in all that we do.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
What is ‘Holy Week’ all about?
Palm Sunday – Welcoming Jesus
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It remembers the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and was welcomed with joy and palm branches.
Jesus comes as a ‘King’ of peace and humility, not power.
Mercy Connection:
Hospitality & Welcome
Like the crowd, we are called to welcome others with openness and kindness.
Respect
Seeing Christ in every person we meet.
Holy Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – A Time to Reflect
These days invite us to slow down and prepare our hearts for the events of Holy Week.
It is a time to reflect on our actions and relationships.
Mercy Connection:
Integrity – Being honest about how we live and treat others
Reflection – Growing in awareness and compassion
Holy Thursday – The Last Supper – The Washing of the Feet
Holy Thursday recalls the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a meal with his disciples and washed their feet.
This shows that true leadership is about service and love.
Mercy Connection:
Service – Putting others first
- Compassion – Caring for those in need
Good Friday – A Day of Reflection and Sacrifice
Good Friday marks the day Jesus died on the cross.
It is a solemn day that reminds us of love, sacrifice and justice.
Mercy Connection:
- Justice – Standing up for what is right
Courage – Acting with love even when it is difficult
Holy Saturday – Waiting in Hope
Holy Saturday is a quiet day of waiting and reflection.
It reminds us that even in times of uncertainty, hope is present.
Mercy Connection:
Hope – Trusting in new life
Faith – Believing even when things are unclear
Easter Sunday – New Life and Hope
Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of new life.
It is a day of joy, renewal and hope.
Mercy Connection:
Joy – Celebrating life and new beginnings
- Dignity of the Person – Recognising the value and worth of all
Why Holy Week Matters in Our St Mary’s College Community
Holy Week invites us to live out the values of:
- Compassion
- Service
- Justice
- Hospitality
Hope
Inspired by Catherine McAuley, we are called to:“Be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”
Student Work in Faith Education
Year 6 Students – Exploration of the Stations of the Cross
“We have been exploring ‘The Passion of Christ’ through The Stations of The Cross. We visited the Church to look at The Stations and talked about the detail and the story that was being told. When we returned to class, we created our own with charcoal and put them around the garden for display. We are preparing for Holy Week.”
Project Compassion
The 2026 theme for Project Compassion 2026 is “Unite Against Poverty,” inviting communities across Australia to come together in solidarity with those living in poverty and marginalisation around the world. It’s a call to action rooted in unity, reflecting Jesus’ prayer for all to be one, and encourages prayer, fundraising, advocacy, and compassionate service during Lent to help create a more just and dignified world for all.
The students have been challenged to come up with fundraising ideas in their homegroups. The homegroup who raises the most money who will receive a prize for their efforts. Each homegroup has been provided with a Project Compassion money box. Project Compassion boxes have also been distributed to students for use at home over the Lenten Season and will be collected at our Easter Liturgy on the final day of term 1.
Below are some feature stories from the Caritas website which support us to understand more fully the work of Caritas and Project Compassion.
Project Compassion - Caritas Fundraisers
See the flyers below for Information about our final College Fundraisers for Caritas on Monday 30th March.
All primary and secondary students to dress up (it would also be great to see some Staff dressed up)
There will be prizes for the best dressed!
Primary Students only complete the 'Big Water Walk' @ 12pm
Our Primary community is taking on The BIG Water Walk together!
We will walk around the College grounds to support people in Africa, Asia and the Pacific who have to walk long distances to collect clean water every day. They are often carrying a bucket and their small children at the same time (hence the bucket and doll/teddy).
Our walk, and every dollar raised, will create lasting change and help empower people to lift themselves out of poverty.
Don’t forget your gold coin donations!
Year 8 Caritas Fundraisers
There are several raffles that have been arranged by Year 8 Homegroups. Tickets can be purchased for the below Easter Egg Raffles and ‘Guess the number of Easter Eggs’ at the front office.
Easter Liturgy
Term 1 will culminate with our Easter Liturgy. It will occur in the MPH on Thursday 2 April at 9:00am. Families are warmly invited to attend this Liturgy which explores this very special time in our Liturgical calendar. Our Project Compassion fundraising will culminate at this time, with the Homegroup that has raised the most money and our total funds raised as a College for Caritas, being announced.
Wishing you a blessed Easter Season and holidays with your families.
Blessings!
Mrs Loretta Shannon
Firector Faith and Mission