Catholic Identity
Catholic Identity Leader: Mrs Elizabeth Holligan
Friday 7 March, 2025
Reflection
Ash Wednesday and Lent
On the Wednesday before the first Sunday of Lent, the faithful receive the ashes, thus entering into the time established for the purification of their souls. This sign of penance, a traditionally biblical one, has been preserved among the Church’s customs until the present day. It signifies the human condition of the sinner, who seeks to express his guilt before the Lord in an exterior manner, and by so doing express his interior conversion, led on by the confident hope that the Lord will be merciful. This same sign marks the beginning of the way of conversion, which is developed through the celebration of the sacraments of penance during the days before Easter.’ (Paschalis Solemnitatis, 21)
For more information on Ash Wednesday please click on the following link to St Mel’s Parish https://smps.org.au/news/a-catechesis-on-ash-wednesday
General Notices - Catholic Identity Leader
St Mel’s Parish 2025 Sacramental Program
St Anne’s College, as part of St Mel’s Parish, partners with St Mel’s Primary School and the Parish to run the Parish Sacramental Program each year. Once this year’s program has been finalised, dates will be published in the Parish Bulletin and in our school notices. The Confirmation and Eucharist Sacramental Program is recommended for Catholic children in Year 4 and above. The Reconciliation Sacramental Program is recommended for Catholic children in Year 3 and above. Further information can be obtained by contacting the St Mel’s Parish office (03) 5831 2194 between 9.30am and 2.30pm Tuesday to Friday.
Ash Wednesday
Fr Ruel joined our primary students for their Ash Wednesday liturgy on Wednesday afternoon. We are fortunate to have Fr Ruel visit us at St Anne’s and look forward to having him guide us as our Chaplin this year. The secondary student Ash Wednesday liturgies were led by their pastoral group leaders and our school Principal Mr Butts, Deputy Principals,Cherie Boltong and Kate McGrath and Catholic Identity Leader Elizabeth Holligan on Wednesday morning prior to their daily classes.
Enhancing Catholic School Identity Surveys
Every four years our Catholic schools take part in ECSI surveys to gain meaningful insights into how families view our school’s Catholic identity today and how such identity may be shaped for tomorrow. Everyone’s input is important. In the next week a random selection of school parents will be contacted and asked to complete the survey. Your input is important and confidential. Students from Year 5 up to Year 12 will be asked to complete a confidential survey as well. If you have any questions about the survey please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Upcoming Events
We have a very busy term ahead, highlights include Project Compassion, Caritas fundraising, Lent and Stations of the Cross. May our good God guide us as a community to share our talents and to show love towards each other. God Bless.
-Mrs Elizabeth Holligan, Catholic Identity Leader.