Religious 

Education News

Project Compassion 

The annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal commences on Ash Wednesday, continuing throughout the duration of Lent. The appeal works with local communities, worldwide, to end poverty, promote justice and uphold the dignity in each and every person. Throughout the period of Lent, we are encouraging your children to actively participate in Project Compassion at school to make a significant impact on the lives of those less fortunate than we are. Through fundraisers such as Jersey Day and Project Compassion donation boxes in each classroom, students at 

St Francis Xavier are encouraged to reflect, sacrifice and give. The theme for Project Compassion is For all future generations, inspired by the Bible’s story of the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-20). This theme reminds us that the good that we do today will create a lasting impact for generations to come. This message invites us to step up for those who don’t have the basic needs for survival. 

What can you do as a parent?

This year, we are reaching out to you too, our parent community, to get actively involved with Project Compassion. As your children are actively participating in Project Compassion, we would like to invite parents to jump on board too! 

A project compassion box is in the school office foyer for you to add any spare coins or change that you would like to donate and give to those less fortunate. A little goes a long way. As Easter approaches, we encourage you to get involved by taking part in Give it up for Lent – whether you forgo your daily coffee, or indulge in a little less screen time during Lent – contribute to brighter futures, for all generations.  

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, in support of Project Compassion. Let us make this season of giving truly special. All Project Compassion boxes will  be collected throughout Holy Week. 

Stations of the cross

The Stations of the Cross is a Lenten devotion that offers witness fo Jesus’ Passion and Death. At each station, we use our senses and imagination to reflect prayerfully upon Jesus’ suffering, walking on a pilgrimage with Him through a series of visual reflections. 

To follow Jesus as he makes the way to His death is disturbing; this is not a comfortable prayer. However, by remembering the Stations of the Cross, walking with Jesus and taking up our crosses as Jesus calls us to do, we come more willing to be patient, to love and to sacrifice. 

We become more like the people God created us to be when we remember Christ’s sacrifice.

Each grade (Years 3-6) will take part in praying the Stations of the Cross in the church. Additionally, K-2 students will have an opportunity to visit the Church and observe the Stations of the Cross. 

Below are the dates:

Stage 3 Friday 1st March 12pm

Stage 2 Friday 8th March 12pm 

Parents are welcome to join us in the church for the Stations of the Cross.

Sacrament of Penance 

Students in years three to six will receive the Sacrament of Penance in the coming weeks. This sacrament restores and strengthens our relationship with God. It is a form of reflection on our actions, a way of seeking forgiveness, and experiencing the joy of a renewed relationship with God and others.

International Women's Day - Friday 8th March 

Prayer for International Women’s Day 

Women are a reflection of the glory of God.

Today we honour the women of all times and all places:

Women of courage. Women of hope. Women suffering. Women mourning. Women living fully. Women experiencing joy. Women delighting in life. Women knowing the interconnectedness of the human family. Women honouring the sacredness of the relational, the affective. Women quietly tending the garden of human flourishing. Women boldly leading the transformation of unjust global structures. Women seeking wisdom. Women sharing wisdom. Women receiving love. Women giving love. Women: life-giving. Women: the image of God.

Loving God, we celebrate your faithfulness and love. On this day we commit ourselves to the promotion of the full humanity of all women everywhere. We know that whatever denies, diminishes, or distorts the full humanity of women is not of God. Help us to be faithful to your call to love. 

Amen.