HOLY WEEK LITURGY & PICNIC LUNCH ~ WEDNESDAY 27TH MARCH

We will host a Liturgy on Wednesday, 27th March, at 12:30pm, focusing on Holy Week.

We invite families to bring and share a picnic lunch with their children at 1pm. After lunch, we will host an Easter Hat Parade at 1:45pm and finish the day with an Easter egg hunt.

Boggabri Ooranga Pre-school staff, students, and their families are also invited to participate in this day.

EASTER HAT PARADE

We ask that children work with their families to design and create an Easter Hat for

the parade on Wednesday 27th, March.

Hats or bonnets have been part of Easter celebrations for generations. Traditionally, women would wear their finest clothes and bonnets to attend Church on Easter Sunday. Over time, making a new hat for Easter became a tradition. The Easter hat parade in Australia has become part of the school calendar. The hat is usually decorated with eggs, flowers, bunnies or chicks, or other typical depictions of Easter and springtime.

This activity is designed to be fun for families and allows children to design, create, and problem-solve with their parents. If you cannot create a hat with your child, don't hesitate to contact their teacher to make alternative arrangements.

HOW DO CATHOLICS CELEBRATE HOLY WEEK?

Four special ceremonies commemorate the events of Christ's Passion, starting with his entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, through to His arrest on Holy Thursday and Crucifixion on Good Friday, to Holy Saturday, the day that Christ's body lay in the tomb.

Palm Sunday recalls Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey to the praise of the townspeople, who laid palms and cloaks in front of him as a sign of homage. In these times, this was a customary practice for people of great respect.

The Easter Triduum is especially important for Catholics and is considered 'the summit of the liturgical calendar'. It marks the three days just before Easter, starting on Holy Thursday.

Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper when Jesus consecrated bread and wine the night before he was betrayed and arrested. This is one of the most beautiful liturgies of the entire liturgical year. During Mass, the priest washes the feet of twelve parishioners, just as Jesus did.

Good Friday marks the day of Jesus' arrest, trial and crucifixion. The events of Good Friday are commemorated in the Stations of the Cross, a 14-step devotion traditionally prayed during Lent and especially on Good Friday. It is also a day of fasting and abstinence within the Church.

Holy Saturday remembers the day Jesus spent resting in the grave. This day celebrates the vigil that Christ's followers held for him outside of his tomb, waiting for his resurrection. It is a day of quiet and prayerful reflection on the true gravity of the crucifixion of Jesus' redemptive sacrifice.

Easter Sunday is the greatest celebration in the Catholic Church because it completes Holy week that ends with the resurrection of Jesus. Easter celebrates the beginning and foundation of Christianity. Easter is thus a symbolic reminder for Catholics that Jesus has overcome death and sin. It signifies the victory of good over evil.

The Easter story teaches us humility and love. It probes our desire to think of ourselves as compassionate and generous people. Jesus Christ's life, teachings, death, and resurrection together teach a lesson on the efficacy of humility, service, self-sacrifice, and true love. As Catholics, we live in hope, not fear, and can overcome anything life throws at us with God's mercy and love.

THE HEIGHTS

The Armidale Catholic Chancery has been working with the Armidale Catholic Schools Mission team to get some common messages to their respective audiences. As a result, they have developed a once-a-month publication, The Heights.

Please see the first edition via this link.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

IMPORTANT DATES:

Rite 2 Reconciliation - Thursday 4th April, 5:30pm, at St Joseph’s Church, Gunnedah

Retreat Day - Friday 5th April, St Xavier’s Primary School, Gunnedah

Sacrament of Confirmation - Sunday 7th April, 9:00am, at St Joseph's Church, Gunnedah

Grace Groves is preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. She will receive the last Sacrament of initiation during Week 10 of this term. During this Sacrament, she will receive the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which will help Grace throughout her faith journey.

We send our thoughts and prayers to Grace during this time of preparation:

God of all ages,

You send out your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people,

Look kindly on our candidate, Grace, for Confirmation as she seeks to hear your voice.

We pray that you send your Spirit to enlighten, guide, strengthen, console, and open her heart as she seeks a closer relationship with you.

Help Grace truly know your deep and abiding love for her and fill her with the joy of your presence.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

EASTER TIMETABLE ~ SACRED HEART CHURCH

Holy Thursday: 6:00pm

Good Friday: 3:00pm

Easter Vigil: 6:00pm

Easter Sunday: 8:30 am Gunnedah, 10:30am Mullaley

UPCOMING EVENTS