Our Lady of Good Counsel

On Monday we gathered to celebrate the Patron Saint of our school, Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel.

The Gospel story that we listened to teaches us how to welcome others. We listened to the story of the Wedding at Cana and how Mary asked everyone to listen to Jesus and to do what he asks.

In this story, Mary gives advice to people.

Let us remember that each of us is called to make a difference in our world. We can give advice to others.

We can give advice in our words, in what we say.

We can give advice in our actions, by what we do.

Catholic Education Week

The Diocesan theme for this year and across Catholic Education Week is ‘Seek Peace and Pursue It’.

This theme is both a challenge and a guide for each of us. It reminds us that peace is not only about no conflict or fighting, but the presence of justice, mercy and love.

It calls all school communities, including St Mary’s Primary School, to be places where peace-making is lived and modelled - in our classrooms and playgrounds, in our learning, and in life with our family, our parish and the wider community.

Seeking peace is important to the mission of Catholic education.

This week is a full and exciting week for St Mary’s, yet importantly so, as we celebrate and take pride in who we are, what we strive to achieve and our purpose. Please help us celebrate each and every element in whichever way possible.

Throughout the week learners in each Year level are asked to bring peace to the lives of others in the following ways:

Foundation: Toys

Year 1: Clothes

Year 2: Books

Year 3: Winter woollies

Year 4: Bring a rock to write a kindness message for others

Year 5: Writing letters to the residents at local Aged Care Homes

Year 6: Donating time (helping & seeing a need without being asked)

Please bring these items to school before Wednesday 6th May as these will be included in our Mass on Thursday.

All donations will support St Vincent de Paul.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

A.N.Z.A.C. Day

It was wonderful to have the support and engagement of so many of our learners and families at the A.N.Z.A.C. Day service on Saturday morning. Our learners conducted themselves with reverence as they marched and participated in the Service. Thank you to St Mary’s Choir who led those gathered in the singing of ‘The Spirit of The A.N.Z.A.C.s’.

Mother’s Day

We look forward to welcoming our learner’s mothers and the special women in their lives to our Mother’s Day celebrations on Friday 8th May. This opportunity provides our learners with an avenue to celebrate you and all that you mean to them. Please see Compass Post for more details regarding our Mother's Day Event.

Good and Gentle God,

We pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women who have shared in the wonder of bringing forth new life.

Bless them with strength when they are weak, wisdom when they are unsure, and patience with the many demands placed upon them.

May they feel loved and appreciated today and every day.

Amen.

Sacramental Candidates

This weekend the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist will be conferred at St Mary’s Church by Father Novie and Very Reverend Father Brian Boyle across two Masses: Saturday 2nd May @ 6.00pm and Sunday 3rd May @ 9.30am.

We continue to keep the following candidates and their families as they nurture their faith journey:

Ryder Bourke

Samuel Farrant

Sofia Montgomery

Joey Rankin

Brady Richardson

Levi Spence

Hudson Russ

Cyrus Stafrace

ECSI Survey

As the deadline for completing the ECSI Survey falls today, we extend our sincere thanks to the parents who have taken the time to participate. Your responses will provide valuable insights to support reflection and ongoing improvement at St Mary’s.

Successful entrants for the two prizes will be contacted and published in the next newsletter. Good luck to all!

Term 2 Mass & Liturgy Timetable

Week

Number

Year Level

Date & Time

Venue

3

Week beginning

4th May

Whole School

Thursday 7th May @ 9.15am

(4th - 8th May

Catholic Education Week) Mass with Fr Novie

Friday 8th May - Mother’s Day Liturgy & Morning tea

Brigidine Centre

Mass with Fr Novie

Brigidine Centre

4

Week beginning

11th May

Year 4

Mass

Wednesday 13th May

@ 12.00pm

St Mary’s Church Mass with Fr Novie

5

Week beginning

18th May

6

Week beginning

25th May

Whole School Liturgy

Each Year Level

Tuesday 26th May

National Sorry Day Liturgy @ 2.30pm

Wednesday

27th May Reconciliation Week Prayer

Eid al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice begins) - Islam

Brigidine Centre

Year Level

Shared Spaces

7

Week beginning

1st June

8

Week beginning

8th June

G’day Weekday Mass

with Healy Community

(Foundation, Years 1 & 2) and Parishioners

Year 3

Liturgy

Wednesday 10th June @ 12.00pm

Thursday 11th June @ 12.30pm

Brigidine Centre

Mass with Fr Novie

Brigidine Centre

9

Week beginning

15th June

Year 5

Liturgy

Thursday 18th June @ 12.30pm

Brigidine Centre

10

Week beginning

22nd June

Year 6

Liturgy

Year level Morning Prayer (NAIDOC Week)

Thursday 25th June @ 12.30pm

Friday 26th June

Brigidine Centre

Year Level

Shared spaces

Local News and Events

After School Activities

Echuca Auskick & Superkick

Young Carer

Foster Caring

Playgroup