Religious Education   

This week saw our Year 3 students celebrate their Sacrament of Reconciliation. Although there were afew sweaty palms and nervous tummies, Father Ignatius and Father Peter quickly alleyed  fears by being very welcoming and letting the students know they were just going to have a 'friendly chit-chat' with the priest about some of their wrong choices. The students would then be absolved of their 'sins' and have a clean heart to start anew. 

As a penance they were asked to say some prayers and think about how they could 'reconcile' the relationship they had harmed through their poor choices. When the children returned to their seats after lighting their individual Reconciliation candles, there were many huge smiles and warmed hearts whilst reading the beautiful letters their parents had written them. 

Another special activity enjoyed by our students was our Pyjama and Oodie Day aimed at raising money for the homeless. Thank you to all families who donated money to this very worthy cause. So far $668 has been raised, however I know there are still more donations coming in!

As we were already wearing our PJs,  it was the perfect opportunity for our Preppies to participate in our Prayers in Pyjamas Faith Development. Many families gathered in the church to pray together and to deepen their understanding of prayer. Our preppies are very aware that prayer is just communicating with God which can be done in many different ways. They also created a number of special symbols that can be used in their prayer spaces at home. A Prayer Mat with special prayers they can read, a lantern to remind them that Jesus is the light of the world and leads us out of darkness. a cross to remind us of Jesus' death and resurrection and a prayer cube to encourage different types of prayers.

One way we can pray is through song. I'm sure God heard our prayers all the way from Aspendale when the prep children sang 'If I were a Butterfly.''

On a final note, we ended the week with a Father's Day Breakfast and a reminder that  Father’s Day is a special day to reflect on the role fathers play in our lives. 

Very appropriately, one of the stories the Year 3 students explored in relation to Reconciliation was the story of The Forgiving Father, also known as The Prodigal Son. 

This story is a reminder of the power of a father’s love. In the story, the son leaves his father’s house and squanders his inheritance. He eventually finds himself in a foreign land, working as a servant. He is so far from home and so miserable without his family.  One day, he decides to return to his father’s house. He knows he won’t be welcomed back with open arms, but he is hopeful that his father will show him some mercy. When he arrives, his father sees him from a distance and runs to meet him. The son falls on his knees and begs for forgiveness, but his father welcomes him back with open arms. This story is a reminder of the power of fathers to love unconditionally and forgive their children, no matter what they have done. It is also a reminder of the power of fathers to teach their children about grace and reconciliation. 

On this Father’s Day, let us all take a moment to reflect on the fathers and father figures in our lives and how they have helped us to become who we are today.

God is our perfect father, and He knows how to forgive us when we make mistakes. Just like our earthly fathers, God loves us deeply and unconditionally.

Father’s Day Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift of fathers. Thank you for the ways that they love and care for their children.

Lord, we pray that You would help all fathers to be the best dads they can be. Help them to be patient, kind, and loving.

Father, we pray that You would give them wisdom as they raise their children and lead their families.

And on this Father’s Day, we pray that You would bless all fathers with Your love and grace. Amen.