Our Faith - Religious Education

Term 2 Class Mass Dates in the Cathedral & Class Reconciliation

Catholic Schools Week

Next week, St Mary's joins with Catholic schools across the nation to celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW) — a special time to give thanks for the gift of Catholic education. It is a week of prayer, celebration, and community, where we come together to recognise the learning, faith, and service that shape our school.

This year, our celebration is deeply enriched by the Year of Jubilee theme: Pilgrims of Hope. As a school community, we are reminded that we are part of a larger journey: walking together in faith, guided by hope, and looking to the future with trust in God’s promises. As pilgrims, we carry the light of Christ into the world, supported by the love and unity found in our Catholic tradition.

Catholic Schools Week gives us a chance to pause, celebrate, and walk forward with renewed purpose and joy, and 'to have life and live it to the full.' (John 10:10)

A Prayer for CSW

God of light and hope,

We thank You for the gift of our Catholic school community.

As pilgrims on a journey, guide our steps with love and purpose.

May our hearts be open to learning, our hands ready to serve,

And our voices filled with hope for the future You promise.

Bless our students, staff, and families this week and always.

Amen.

Our Lady Help of Christians

Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians – May 24

This week, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, the patroness of Australia. This special feast day holds deep significance for our Catholic community, as we honour Mary, the mother of Jesus, under the title of Help of Christians—a title that has comforted and inspired generations of the faithful.

Our Lady Help of Christians has been a guiding presence in the history of the Church in Australia, especially during times when early Catholics had little access to priests or the sacraments. Mary was a source of hope, strength, and protection for those who kept the faith alive.

We encourage families to take a moment together to pray or reflect on Mary’s loving presence in their lives. May we all continue to grow in faith and trust, just as Mary did.

Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.

O Mary, Help of Christians, 

we turn to you with trust and love.

 Look with favor upon us, 

your children,

 and intercede for us in our needs. 

Grant us strength in our difficulties, 

hope in our sorrows, 

and guide us always on the path to your Son,

 Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

Around the classroom

Year 6 receiving their badges

Confirmation Dates for 2025

For Catholic Students in Year 6 Parent Enrolment Evening

Confirmation Enrolment Evening Wednesday 19th March  at 6pm, Cathedral

Lesson 1     Sunday - 30th March 9am Cathedral

Lesson 2     Sunday  - 6th April  9am Cathedral

(School Holidays)

Lesson 3     Sunday -  4th May  9am Cathedral

Lesson 4     Sunday - 11th May  9am Cathedral

Lesson 5    Sunday - 18th May  9am Cathedral

Lesson 6   Sunday - 25th May  9am Cathedral

Lesson 7    Practice  -Sunday 1 June  9am Cathedral

Pentecost Sunday  - 10am Mass 8 June

Year of Jubilee

2025 is a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church.

A Jubilee Year is traditionally proclaimed by the Universal Church every 25 years. It is a particular year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on spiritual life.

The theme is Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis has invited Catholics to renew our hope and discover a vision that can "restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone". We are also invited to rediscover a spirituality of God's creation in which we understand ourselves as "pilgrims on the earth" rather than masters of the world.

You will see this logo often this year...

The logo symbolises unity and fraternity among all of humanity, with four stylised figures from different corners of the earth embracing each other. The leading figure holds a cross, representing faith and hope. The rough waves beneath the figures symbolise life's challenges, emphasising the need for hope in difficult times. The elongated lower part of the cross forms an anchor, a well-known symbol of hope. This image depicts the pilgrimage as a communal journey towards the cross, which reaches out dynamically to offer presence and hope. 

Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope   (Youtube)

The Jubilee Prayer

To pray and download the Prayer for the 2025 Jubilee, click here. Copies of the Jubilee Prayer are available in Braille. Please contact the Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry for a copy: specialneedsministry@adw.org or 301-853-4560.

The Jubilee Logo

To learn about the meaning of the logo for the 2025 Jubilee, click here.

Official Hymn for Jubilee

Click here to listen to the hymn.

CATHEDRAL PARISH OF SAINT MARY & JOSEPH ARMIDALE 

Administrator Father Damien Locke

armidaleparish@armidale.catholic.org.au

phone 67722218 

Mass Times

Saturday Vigil Mass 6 pm

Sunday 8 am, 10 am & 5:30 pm 

Diocesan Prayer Card