Dear St Martha’s Families

Congratulations!

“Mercy will always be greater than any sin,

and no one can place limits on the love of God

who is ever ready to forgive".

Pope Francis

Congratulations to all the children who made their First Reconciliation last night and this past Tuesday night! What beautiful, joy-filled evenings! How wonderful it was that also to see so many parents, grandparents and older siblings going to Confession.

When I was younger, I thought that Sacrament of Confession was there only so that our sins are forgiven, but a few years ago I learnt that in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, not only are our sins forgiven, but we also receive the Grace not to commit more sins or greater sins.

It was also ao touching to see how, once again, the St Martha’s families are such beautiful role models of charity in action, and kindness: last night, a girl from a local school came to make her First Reconciliation dressed in her school uniform, and she was extremely upset when she saw that none of the other children were wearing their school uniform. Our Sacramental Coordinator tried to remind her that God looks at our heart, not at our clothes, but this little girl was just so sad and devastated! All of a sudden, one of our beautiful mums (Carla) went up to that girl from another school and offered her to swap her school dress with Carla’s youngest daughter’s stunning white dress. The girl was so overjoyed! That girl’s mum was so moved by Carla’s family’s thoughtfulness and kindness that she couldn’t stop tears of joy coming down her eyes.

Thank you, Carla, to you and your whole beautiful family, for your constant and selfless generosity!

One of the things I love the most about St Martha’s is how extraordinarily caring, kind and thoughtful every student, parent, grandparent and staff member is.

Pilgrimage to Mary MacKillop's Place

A friendly reminder that tomorrow (Friday, 17 November 2023), is the very last day to register for our upcoming pilgrimage to Mary MacKillop's place taking place on Wednesday 22 November 2023. It will be a wonderful day filled with many blessings.

So far, over 30 parents and grandparents have registered for the pilgrimage. Here is the link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1kpqnzsctdksrbybVFrBbhcsXxqE8-46eymQm8QDGzzYNVg/viewform

Vinnie's Night Patrol - Thank you!

A huge thank-you to all the parents who have joined the Vinnies Night Patrol, and to the parents who are finalizing their application to become Vinnies' volunteers.

If you haven't started your application yet, but you would like to volunteer at one of the Vinnies Night Patrol opportunities in 2024, please email me at any time at elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au and I'll email you Vinnies' form, the link to apply for the FREE Police check and the information on how to obtain your Working With Children Clearance (if you don't already have one), thank you.

It was wonderful to spend some quality time with the parent volunteers last week while serving people in need in the city and in Balmain.

Our Vinnies Night Patrol Team serves sandwiches and hot drinks every four weeks. Our upcoming Vinnies Patrol Nights are on:

Wednesday 3 January 2024
Wednesday 31 January 2024
Wednesday 28 February 2024

We meet at the Vinnies centre in Lewisham between 6:15pm and 6:30pm. Even if you are available only one or two nights in all of 2024, we would love to have you join our Vinnies' Team. It truly is a terrific opportunity for everyone involved, including your own children who witness their parents' great kindness and generosity in serving local people in need.

Vinnies also asked out help to serve BREAKFAST once a month on a Sunday morning, if you’d like to volunteer serving breakfast in the city on Sunday morning, could you please email me at elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au. Many thanks.

Dates to Remember

Tonight: Thursday 16/11: Parenting: Challenges and Practical tips from parents at St Vincent's College, Ashfield 6:30pm to 8pm (please, see flyer attached)
Tomorrow (Friday 17/11) is the very last day to register for our Mary MacKillop's pilgrimage: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1kpqnzsctdksrbybVFrBbhcsXxqE8-46eymQm8QDGzzYNVg/viewform Please email elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions about the pilgrimage
Tuesday 21/11: Family Rosary on Zoom at 7pm for the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Feast Day - please email elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au by Friday 17/11 if you or your children would like to lead a decade of the Rosary
Wednesday 22/11: Parents, Carers & Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Mary MacKillop’s Place (please see flyer attached to register)
Thursday 23/11: Storytime in the St Martha's School library 9am to 10am
Saturday 25/11: Women Advent Retreat (please, see flyer attached)
Sunday 3/12: 3-6 Family Mass at 10am, followed by morning tea, if you could kindly bring a NUT-FREE plate to share, we would be very grateful, many thanks
Wednesday 6/12: Women’s Event with Matt Fradd at Novotel Sydney 9:30am to 12:30pm, please email elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au if you’re attending the Women’s Event with Matt Fradd. A special women’s event on Wednesday, 6 December, at Novotel, Sydney Olympic Park. The morning event will include brunch, fellowship, and a presentation on the Blessed Mother by Matt Fradd with Q&A and meet and greet. Tickets are available at $35 per adult or $90 for a group of three adults. Purchase your tickets here https://www.trybooking.com/CMDPP

Wishing you all a very blessed and beautiful Friday and weekend

Elena Razzoli

Family Educator

Newman Symposium

Mrs Kate Zilich