Loving God, we thank You for the wonderful gift of the Eucharist.

We pray for the children preparing to receive You in Holy Communion for the first time.

Fill their hearts with joy, love, and peace as they grow closer to You.

Bless their families who guide and support them in faith each day. May their homes be filled with kindness, patience, and prayer. Help them to continue walking together in Your love and to always feel Your presence in their lives. May this special celebration strengthen their faith and remind them that You are always with them.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen

Eucharist Family Faith Night

Our Eucharist family faith night for Year 4 children will take place this Wednesday, the 20th of May, at 7.00pm at Our Lady Help of Christians in the OLHC Parish Hall, located beneath the church at 49 Nicholson St, Brunswick East. Our Lady Help of Christian will be hosting this event. Families from St Joseph's Brunswick, Our Lady Help of Christian and St Fidelis will join together for this event. This evening will be facilitated by Sarah Smith. Sarah is an Educational Consultant specialising in Catholic Identity and Strategic Leadership. Sarah offers a contemporary, relatable approach to understanding the sacraments in everyday life, creating opportunities for meaningful, relaxed conversations between parents and their children. We invite all Year 4 children who are receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist, along with their parents, to attend this event.

Year 1OB & 5/6NT celebrating mass

Thank you to all the parents, carers and children for attending Mass last Thursday. Your presence, participation, and reverence helped make the celebration a special and meaningful occasion for our school community.

Liturgical music program

This week, we continue with our liturgical music program facilitated by Anna De Simone. The children enthusiastically take part in liturgical singing sessions, building their vocal confidence while strengthening their participation in Mass and other liturgical celebrations. These sessions will continue on a fortnightly basis. Foundation to Year 2 students will participate in singing sessions on Mondays, while students in Years 3–6 will attend sessions on Wednesdays. We extend our sincere thanks to Father Brendan for organising this valuable opportunity for our students.

KidsView Social Justice Incursion

On Monday, 25th May, the Year 5/6 students will participate in a KidsView Social Justice incursion. KidsView is an organisation that supports children in the Philippines. The purpose of this incursion is to raise students’ awareness of poverty, access to education, and children’s rights, while encouraging them to consider how they can help create positive social change.

Throughout the session, students will listen to real-life stories of children living in poverty and finding hope despite challenging circumstances. These stories will help students develop a deeper understanding of real-world issues and encourage thoughtful discussion about fairness, inequality, wealth, and opportunity.

Eucharist retreat day

All Year 4 students are invited to participate in a special Retreat Day at St Fidelis on Friday 12th June. This retreat offers the children a valuable opportunity to step away from their regular classroom routine and to reflect more deeply on their faith journey.

Throughout the day, students will take part in a range of meaningful activities including prayer, reflection, discussion, and quiet time, all focused on developing a deeper understanding of the sacrament they are preparing to receive. The retreat aims to support students in recognising the importance of the sacrament in their lives and encourages them to reflect on their relationship with God and with others. It will also provide opportunities for students to ask questions, share their thoughts, and deepen their understanding in a supportive, faith-filled environment. Lunch will be provided for all children, and Year 4 students are welcome to wear casual clothes on the day.

Service at the altar

We invite young people in our parish to become Altar Servers — a special way to serve God and our community at Mass.

Altar Servers assist the priest and take an active part in the liturgy, growing in faith, confidence, and teamwork while building friendships along the way. It is a meaningful leadership role in which young people can deepen their love of the Eucharist and grow in service to others.

No experience is needed — training will be provided.

Young people from Year 4 and above who have received First Eucharist are welcome.

Join us and be part of something special!

Project compassion

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community for your generous donations to Project Compassion. Your kindness and support will help make a meaningful difference in the lives of those experiencing poverty and hardship around the world.

Upcoming School Mass Times

Throughout the term, students will have regular opportunities to attend Mass as part of their faith journey and spiritual development. These celebrations provide meaningful moments for prayer, reflection, and connection with our school community. The following schedule outlines the allocated times for each class to participate in Mass and other prayer experiences. We warmly invite parents and carers to join us whenever possible, as your presence enriches these special occasions and strengthens the partnership between home, school, and parish.

Week 6 Thursday 28th May @ 9.15am	3DG & 1CW
Week 8 Thursday 11th June @ 9.15am	4ZK & 1AM

God bless, and have a great week.

Annette Gasbarro | Religious Education Leader

Family Engagement