Religious Education
St John Vianney Primary School
Sacrament of Reconciliation
On Tuesday, October 28th, many of our SJV students took a beautiful step in their faith journey by celebrating the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. Reconciliation is a vital part of the Catholic faith, reminding us to make things right, show kindness, and begin again with love. We thank our families, school staff, Mr Schinck and Fr Justin Ford for their wonderful support in preparing the children for this milestone.
Lord God,
Our hearts are full of gratitude as we reflect on our students' First Reconciliation.
Thank You for reminding them—and all of us—that with You, we can always make a fresh start.
May the peace they felt after receiving Your sacrament stay with them as they grow.
Bless their families and teachers who walked with them to this milestone, and guide our school community to always be a place of mercy, understanding, and second chances.
Amen.
All Saints' Day
Last Sunday, November 1st, Christians celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints. This is a day when we commemorate all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. It is celebrated on 1 November in the Western churches and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Eastern churches.
The origin of All Saints’ Day cannot be traced with certainty; however, the first evidence for the 1 November date of celebration and of the broadening of the festival to include all saints as well as all martyrs occurred during the reign of Pope Gregory III (731–741), who dedicated a chapel in St. Peter’s, Rome, on 1 November in honour of all saints. From this date onwards, All Saints Day was kept on 1 November, and it also appeared in a 9th-century English calendar on that day. It was Pope Gregory IV in 837 who ordered its general observance.
All Saints' Day is followed by All Souls' Day on November 2nd.
For our children, holiness can begin with ordinary choices: including someone in a game, speaking kindly, forgiving a friend or helping without being asked.
Jesus' example reminds us that love is something we put into practice each day.
Families may like to take a quiet moment together to remember someone special, share a favourite memory and offer a prayer. We keep in our prayers all members of our community who are grieving or caring for someone who is unwell.
A prayer for our community
Loving God,
Thank you for the people who teach us to love.
Help us follow Jesus through kindness and care.
Comfort those who are grieving, and strengthen those who are unwell and those who care for them.
Hold our loved ones who have died in your eternal love.
May our school be a place where everyone feels they belong.
Amen.
Key Dates for Term 4 2026
Tuesday, December 8th: End of School Year Mass 9:15 am