St Mary's Faith & Family 

Religious Education News

This year our school theme has been taken from the Book of Psalms and based on Psalm 42. 

Pope Francis called for a day of prayer and fasting on October 7, the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. “In this dramatic hour of our history,” the Pope said, “while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations,” the Christian community is reminded of its call to "put itself at the service of humanity."

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek 

to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, 

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 

We also keep our children preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in our prayers. 

Please pray for: Quinn, Akul, Sullivan, Adam, Charlotte and Samuel as they enter into this special time of preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

I invite you to keep the following dates in mind as opportunities to participate in the faith life of our school and parish.

St Mary’s Parish, Castlemaine current newsletter can be found here.

Week 1

Thursday October 10th 

 

 

Confirmation Preparation

Week 2

Thursday October 17th 

 

Sunday October 20th

 

Confirmation Preparation

 

Confirmation Commitment Mass 10:30am

Week 3

Wednesday October 23rd 

 

 

Bishop Terry visiting our Confirmation candidates 10:00-11:00. 

Week 5

Thursday November 7th 

 

Confirmation Retreat 9:30-3:00. 

Parent Information Session for Confirmation 3:30-4:30 in school library.

 

Week 6

Monday November 11th

 

 

Sunday November 17th

 

Remembrance Day liturgy led by Grade 4/5 & 6 in school library at 10:30am. 

 

Mass of celebration for Confirmation. Celebrant Bishop Terry. St Mary’s Church 10:30am. 

Week 9 

Monday December 2nd

 

1st Sunday of Advent liturgy led by F/1 at 9:15am in school library. 

 

Week 10 

Monday December 9th

 

Wednesday December 11th 

 

Friday December 13th

 

 

2nd  Sunday of Advent liturgy led by Grade 2/3 at 9:15am in school library. 

 

End of Year/Graduation Mass. St Mary’s Church at 9:15am. 

 

Nativity Play led by F/1 and final assembly for the year. Commencing at 9:15am in school library. 

 

Week 11 

Monday December 16th

 

3rd  Sunday of Advent liturgy led by Grade 3/4 at 9:15am in school library. 

 

 

Sacramental Dates: 

 

Confirmation

 

Bishop Terry visiting St Mary’s School to speak with the Confirmation candidates from 10:00-11:00. 

 

Commitment Mass for candidates Sunday October 20th at 10:30am. All families and friends of our Confirmation candidates are invited to attend this Mass. 

 

Retreat Day for candidates on Thursday November 7th. This day will be followed by a Parent Information Session from 3:30-4:30 in our school library. 

 

Mass of Celebration on Sunday November 17th  at 10:30am. 

 

 

Julie Cotter

Acting Religious Education Leader