Catholic Identity 

Sacramental Program 2024

Sacrament of First Reconciliation

We have begun preparations for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation which will take place later this term.  As part of the Year 3/4 Religious Education studies this term, students are exploring the concepts of forgiveness, sorrow and contrition. They will also explore the Sacrament of Reconciliation in greater detail in preparation for its celebration.

 An important part of this preparation is the participation in a Family Sacramental Evening. This will take place on Wednesday 13th March - at the OLSC Sports Centre, from 6.30-7.30pm. Attendance at this evening is compulsory, as the program is designed to deepen the faith and understanding of all within the family to allow the sacrament to be celebrated with reverence and understanding. 

We also  request that students receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation attend the two Community Masses prior to the sacrament - 18th February and 17th March at 10am at the OLSC Sports Centre. 

The Sacrament of Penance will be celebrated on Wednesday 20th March, at the OLSC Sports Centre at 6.30pm. 

The following students have indicated their intention to celebrate the sacrament this term. If your child is not on this list and you believe/wish for them to be, please contact John as soon as possible. 

Sacrament on First Holy Communion (Eucharist) and Confirmation

Further information for both will be shared with families in the coming weeks, via the newsletter and notes given to students. Please keep an eye for these. 

Ash Wednesday

“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19.

The line from Genesis reminds us our lives on this earth won’t last forever. We are a finite people who hold hope in something infinite and beyond ourselves. Bearing a mark throughout the day that is visible to others puts an explanation point on the Genesis passage. We become walking witnesses of that place of truth.

Heaping ashes upon the head, rending the garment, and donning sackcloth were all outward signs of penitence in biblical times. Such a display was one of abject humility and repentance, but could also turn into an occasion for infighting and ego-inflation.

The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are obtained from the burning of the palms of a previous Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks Jesus' return to Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches to celebrate his arrival. The ashes are blessed by the priest during the Ash Wednesday Mass after the homily. Then the ashes are applied to each person's forehead in the shape of a cross.

We will be having a short liturgy with the distribution of ashes this Wednesday, 14th February, at 9am in the Sports Centre. All are welcome to join us. 

Ideas how to celebrate Lent in the 'Domestic Church'

The following are some ways you may wish to commemorate and participate in the Lenten season in the 'Domestic Church' - at home!

• Pray as a family before the evening meal.
• Read the Bible daily - Choose one of the Gospels and try to finish it by the end of Lent.
• Read about the lives of the Saints.
• Decorate a prayer space in your house with colours and symbols of Lent. 
• Celebrate the Sacraments regularly - Go to Mass and Reconciliation.
• Pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent.
• Prepare 'simple' dinners on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Project Compassion

Next week we begin our fundraising efforts for Project Compassion. Every year, Project Compassion is the main fundraiser for Caritas Australia, the charitable arm of the Catholic Church in Australia. Through this, Caritas helps those in Australia and overseas to become financially independent and self-sufficient through study, work and other means.  

Please give generously throughout this Lenten season. 

School Masses

School Masses will take place twice a term this year. Our celebrations are open to all of those in our school community, and we hope to see as many of our families join us for Mass. Our first Mass is next Friday, 16th February at 12pm in the Sports Centre.  Please find below times and dates of all of our school Masses for 2024. 

Community Mass in 2024

Community Masses will resume at the start of the 2024 school year and take place every third Sunday of the month. Mass will take place in the OLSC Sports Centre at 10am. We encourage as many of our families and friends to attend these Masses, as we reinvigorate the Wyndham Vale Catholic Community. These Masses, while taking place on school grounds and involving students from our school, are open to all members of our local community. So please spread the word!

2024 Masses will be as follows:

John Dini

Catholic Identity Leader