Education in Faith

Sacramental Events and Dates

Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,

Please take note of the important dates for our Sacramental celebrations that will take place throughout the school year. Sacraments play a significant role in the spiritual journey of our students and we need to ensure that you are well-informed and can actively participate in these meaningful events. 

Kindly mark the following dates in your calendar:

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Sacramental Program, celebrations or preparation process, please feel free to contact the School's Religious Education leader.

Thank you for your continued partnership in the spiritual formation of our students. We look forward to celebrating these sacred moments with you and your families as a parish community. 

May God's blessings be with you and your loved ones.

Sacrament Levy

There is a $25 Sacrament Levy to cover the cost of stoles.

• This levy needs to be paid in full to the school in an envelope clearly indicating your child’s name, Home Group and name of Sacrament being received.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

The Story:

Imagine being at a big party with lots of food and friends. Everyone is chatting and having a great time. Suddenly, the guest of honour, who is known for telling amazing stories, stands up and says something very surprising: “I am the special bread that gives life forever!” At first, everyone thinks this is a strange thing to say. Many of the guests are puzzled and start to leave, thinking they don’t understand what he means. But one of the guest’s best friends, Peter, says, “Lord, we trust you. You have the best words and we believe in you.”

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus talks to his friends about something very important. He says that he is the “Bread of Life,” and that if people eat this bread, they will live forever. Many of his friends were confused and didn’t understand what he meant. They found it hard to believe, so they left and stopped following him. But Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, spoke up and said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Reflection:

Imagine you’re at a big picnic with lots of food, and someone says, “I’m bringing the most special food that will keep you happy forever!” Some people might be excited, and some might be confused. Jesus is like that special food. He gives us something even more important than yummy snacks - he gives us love and life forever.

Sometimes, things about Jesus can be hard to understand. It’s okay to ask questions and talk to him about what’s on your mind. Peter, one of Jesus’ friends, trusted him even when things were confusing. He knew that Jesus had something very special that no one else could give.

Sometimes, when someone says something that’s hard to understand, it can make us feel confused, just like the people at the party. But Jesus was trying to tell us something really important: He is like the best, most nourishing bread that makes our hearts and souls strong and happy forever. It’s not about the kind of bread you eat for lunch, but about the love and strength that Jesus gives us.

Just like Peter, we can trust Jesus even when things are hard to understand. He is always there to help us, and his words and love are the most important things we can have.

Closing Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, thank you for being the Bread of Life. Help us to trust you even when things are confusing. We know you have the best for us. Amen.”

Discussion Starters

• How do you think Jesus felt when his audience rejected what he’d been saying?
• What did Jesus mean when he said, ‘The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life’?
• Why do you think so many followers left Jesus after this event?
• When have you learnt something important from an unlikely source?
• In what ways do your words and actions convey Jesus’ message?
• What historical reality might be captured by the description of disciples not accepting Jesus’ teaching?
• In what ways can John, chapter 6, be seen as a defence of early Christian belief and practice?
• Why does Jesus appear to simply accept that some people do not believe what he says?
• How might the Twelve have responded to so many people leaving Jesus after this gospel event?

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose

Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

MINI VINNIES SOUP & CHAT NIGHT

What a fantastic night it was!! 

We had Robert from the Youth Engagement Team at the St Vincent De Paul Society come and present to us various ways the Society helps those less fortunate. He then ran some activities that the Mini Vinnies were extremely engaged in, experiencing what some of the issues people in our community and world may face when things may not go right and they need to decide what things they can do without in their lives. 

Mini Vinnies demonstrated not only empathy but mature thinking when deciding what things they could do without and explaining why.

Thanks to our parents and staff who were working hard in the kitchen, warming soups that had been made by our Mini Vinnies parents, buttering rolls, cutting up fruit, the students then had a meal of soup, bread and fruit, similar to what people in our community may have if they go to a soup van. The only extra treat Mini Vinnies received, which our soup van clients wouldn’t, was Kristy’s slice as a thank you to the students for all the time they give up and the hard work they do as Mini Vinnies.

We would also like to extend a big thank you to Coles - Lynbrook for donating a number of items for the evening and Woolworths - Marriott Waters who also donated fruit. 

We then returned back to the community room and Mini Vinnies discussed where we should donate the money they raised for this evening. 

I am very proud to announce that the students raised a total of $1,107. 

Such an impressive amount! Students discussed for a little while, then finally decided the money would go to Ozanam House run by VincentCare in North Melbourne. 

Once again, I am so proud of the Mini Vinnies not only for the amount of money they raised but also the maturity which they demonstrated when discussing where the money should be donated to.

MINI VINNIES 2ND CHANCE APPEAL

Mini Vinnies then decided they wanted to complete one more action for this term. But an action where we wouldn’t be asking SFS families for money or to buy things to donate. They decided our 2nd Chance Appeal that Mini Vinnies started last year, was a great action to continue. Families would be able to clean out their homes, donating items that they no longer needed and were in good condition to our 2nd Chance Appeal. These items will then be donated to either a Vinnies Op Shop or an organisation that could put these items to good use by giving them to those less fortunate. 

House baskets have once again been placed in Learning Spaces. Please look through your toys, books, clothes at home. Is there something you no longer need but is still in good condition that you would like to donate? Please bring them to school and place in your House basket in your Learning Space. Not only will your items have a second life, but they will also be helping those less fortunate. And you will get House points that go towards the Community Spirit Award.

SVDP SCHOOL CONFERENCE NETWORKING EVENT

Next Friday,  11 of the Grade 6 Mini Vinnies will attend the School Conference Networking Event at Nazareth College. They will get a chance to meet and work with Mini Vinnies from other schools and also present an action that the SFS Mini Vinnies have taken. 

The Grade 6s have decided to present our Christmas Appeal as they felt that this action was one that always helps many people within our community, helping them to celebrate this special time of year. Once again, these students demonstrated their passion for what they do as they helped me plan and work out the power point that they will present next week at Nazareth College.

Giuliana & SFS Mini Vinnies

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au