Catholic Identity
St. Mary's Feast Day
On Friday the 23rd of May, our school community gathered to celebrate our school's St. Mary's Help of Christians Feast Day. Thank you to our Year 5s for leading our liturgy and to all families who were able to join us on the day. Thank you also to our beautiful St. Mary's School Choir for their closing performance of, "Let It Be" and to all our students who sang and danced to our liturgy songs so beautifully.
When I find myself in times of trouble,
Mother Mary comes to me.
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness,
She is standing right in front of me,
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Following our liturgy, students returned to their classrooms to take part in Mary focused activities reflecting on her guiding role in our lives as Mary, Help of Christians.
Thank you also to our beautiful St. Mary's staff and school community who wore blue to honour Our Lady. Blue represents Mother Mary's purity, holiness, her connection to the divine and connection to Heaven.
CONFIRMATION
REFLECTION DAY / PARENT INFORMATION SESSION:
On Tuesday the 20th of May, our school held a Student Reflection Day at school where our students engaged in prayer and meaningful activities focused on preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We were especially honored to welcome Bishop Tony to our school, where he helped our candidates unpack the meaning of the Sacrament of Confirmation and deepen our understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
A big thank you to Fr. Martin for leading our Parent Information Session and to all famillies who are were able to attend. We value your support and active participation in your child's faith journey.
SACRAMENTAL MASS:
On Thursday the 29th of May, St. Mary's joined Sacred Heart, Sandringham at Holy Spirit and St Francis Church for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We thank Bishop Tony and and Fr. Martin for leading our beautiful mass. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Whatmore, the Year 6 team, the staff of Sacred Heart, and all families for their invaluable support throughout the preparation of our candidates for the Sacrament. Your dedication and partnership have been greatly appreciated.
In his homily, Bishop Tony addressed the First Reading,
The Acts of The Apostle (Acts 1:3-8)
You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit and you will be my witness
Jesus had shown himself alive to the apostles after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at the table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. It is,’ he had said, ‘what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with the water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ Now having met together, they asked him, ‘Lord has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied ‘It is not for you to know the times or the dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria and indeed to the ends of the earth.’
He invited our candidates to dwell deeper into what it means to be called by God as His witness as they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “You don’t not have to be perfect,” he explained, “you just have to be real.”
For our school community, I invite us all to reflect on this year’s Jubilee theme, "Pilgrims of Hope" which encourages us to be witnesses of hope in our lives and communities and to renew our faith, seek forgiveness, and celebrate God's love. How will you be a witness of hope and be led by your faith in a way that inspires others and radiates hope in your daily life?
Other ways to actively participate as a witness of hope in this year’s Jubilee include:
Go on a pilgrimage:
Consider participating in local or international pilgrimages as part of the Jubilee Year.
Pray and reflect:
Dedicate time to prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.
Seek forgiveness:
Consider receiving the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) during the Jubilee Year.
Attend Jubilee events:
Many dioceses and parishes are planning special events and celebrations throughout the Jubilee Year.
RECONCILIATION
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the Sacrament of Healing and is the second Sacrament for those baptised within the Catholic Church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Friday, June 20th 2pm at St. Mary's Church.
Baptism Certificates:
For your child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, your child must have been baptised in the Roman Catholic Church. If you have not yet done so, please kindly email me a copy of your child's Baptismal Certificate by Monday 02nd of June. vdelcastillo@smhampton.catholic.edu.au
Thank you to all families who have already shared this with me.
RECONICILIATION KEY DATES
- Reflection Day: Thursday, June 12th 8:45am - 3:15pm (in class)
- Family Preparation Session: Thursday, June 12th - 3pm - 3:30pm (Church)
- First Reconciliation Liturgy: Friday, June 20th - 2pm (St Mary’s Church)
Reflection Day:
In preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, students will take part in a Reflection Day — an opportunity to gather together in prayer, participate in meaningful activities, and reflect on the importance of forgiveness and God’s loving mercy.
Please note that on Student Reflection Day, students will come in casual clothesall day.
Family Preparation Session:
A requirement of the Sacramental Program is for families to attend the Family Preparation Evening; an opportunity for you as parents to have an understanding of the Sacrament. We thank Fr. Martin in advance who will be leading our session.
Sacramental Stoles:
Parents whose children will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take home a white stole which they will wear on the day of their Sacrament of Reconciliation. On the stole, the student’s name will be placed on the side with the school logo (embroidered, ironed, glued or written) and a symbol of the sacrament on the other side.
Symbols of reconciliation may include praying hands, Bible, prayer book and cross.
For more Reconciliation symbols please view the link below (under Reconciliation Symbols heading): https://www.nancyscreations.com.au/symbols_fonts.html
Family Gospel Reflection
(From Loyola Press)
Gospel Reading Luke 24:46-53
The Ascension of the Lord
Jesus is taken to heaven and the disciples remain in Jerusalem awaiting his sending of the Spirit.
Family Connection
Any family that has tried to sit down to a family dinner or packed the car for a trip has heard children argue at least once about who should sit where. To sit next to someone, especially if that person is important, is to have a place of honor. Jesus has this place of honor, seated now at the right hand of the Father (as we say in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed), but there's more to this metaphor than where Jesus sits in relation to God. To be in the place of honor is also to be in a place of power. Knowing people in powerful places can be very helpful.
Children remind us of this each time we are called upon to referee a conflict. Jesus, honored now at God's right hand, is a powerful ally for us.
As you gather as a family, recall a time when there was a discussion, or perhaps even an argument, about where people were going to sit. Talk about why it might be important to a person to sit in a particular place. Mention that in this Sunday's Gospel we learn about Jesus' place in heaven. Read together Luke 24:46-53. Talk about how in the Creed we describe Jesus' place in heaven as “seated at the right hand of the Father.”
Discuss what we might learn about the relationship between God and Jesus from today's Gospel and from the Creed and what we can learn about Jesus' relationship to us. Observe that one of the things we learn is that Jesus continues to help us from this place of honor in heaven. Pray together the Apostles' Creed.
May the light of Christ continue to shine in every aspect of your lives,
Veronica Del Castillo
Religious Education Leader