Holy Week Prayer Services

On Monday our Year Prep-2 students lead the Palm Sunday Prayer Service. It was a very prayerful & joyous celebration.

We warmly invite families to join us for our other Holy Week Prayer Services, led by our students. These special liturgies are a meaningful opportunity for our students to reflect on the story of Holy Week, share their learning and lead us in prayer.

Holy Thursday Prayer Service led by Yr3/4 students

Date: Tuesday 1 April Time: 2:40pm Location: Gathering Space

Stations of the Cross Prayer Service by Yr5/6 students

Date: Wednesday 2 April Time: 12:00pm Location: Gathering Space

We would be pleased to have you join us in celebrating these important moments in the Church calendar.

Sacrament of First Reconciliation 2026 Photo

Congratulations to our students who received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation at St Jude's Church on 18 March. Thank you to the families and staff for supporting them in their Sacramental journey. We ask that you keep them in your prayers as they continue their faith journey.

If families have a photo of their child, or a group photo, we would really appreciate an electronic copy for our school newsletter and archives.

Photos may be sent to my email address (dharvie@htws.catholic.edu.au )

St Patrick’s Cathedral Mass & Celebrations

On 20th March, Mr Evans, Mrs Harris, the student Captains and I had the privilege of attending the Schools’ Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral. Students and staff from Catholic schools across Victoria gathered together for this special celebration, which was led by Archbishop Peter Comensoli and a number of priests.

The beauty of the cathedral, along with the magnificent pipe organ and choir from Avilia College, created a truly prayerful and uplifting experience for all who attended.

Following the Mass, we walked to Treasury Gardens to enjoy lunch together. The students had a wonderful time playing games, including soccer matches with students from other schools. Adding to the festive atmosphere, several secondary school bands performed live music in the gardens. Our students enthusiastically sang along and even enjoyed dancing to some of the songs.

It was a joyful and memorable day, celebrating our shared faith and our connection as part of the wider Melbourne Catholic school community.

Project Compassion – Unite Against Poverty

During Lent, we also support Caritas Australia through Project Compassion, its annual Lenten fundraising campaign. For over 50 years, Project Compassion has helped vulnerable communities around the world by providing access to clean water, education, healthcare and sustainable food sources.

The 2026 theme, “Unite Against Poverty,” reminds us that while we may not be able to change the whole world at once, each small act of generosity can make a real difference. The good we do today can create lasting change for future generations.

Each classroom has a Project Compassion box. We encourage all students and families to support this important cause and to donate generously this Lent. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope to others.

Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion)

In St Jude’s Parish and at Holy Trinity School, students currently receive their Sacraments in the following order: -

Sacrament of First Eucharist –Year 3

Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion) –Year 4

Sacrament of Confirmation –Year 6

This information is being shared with all families in Years 4–6 to ensure that no student misses the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion) in 2026.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist is available to students who have been baptised in the Catholic Church, are in Year 4 or above, and have already received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation.

In partnership with St Jude’s Parish, Holy Trinity School will support eligible students in preparing for and celebrating this important Sacrament.

A more detailed email, including enrolment information, will be sent in the coming weeks.

As part of the Catholic school and parish partnership, families are expected to attend all components of the Sacramental program.

These include:

Two Parent & Child Workshops (attendance at both is required)
One Commitment Mass (choose 1 Mass)
The Celebration of the Sacrament of First Eucharist

Attendance by the child and at least one parent/carer is required at each of these.

Key Dates…

First Eucharist Family Workshop (child and one parent/carer must attend both):

Term 2 Wk 2	Wednesday 29 April	from 6:30-7:30pm	at St Jude’s Parish Centre	child & at least one parent to attend	HT
Term 2 Wk 3	Wednesday 6 May	from 6:30-7:30pm	at St Jude’s Church	child & at least one parent to attend	HT

First Eucharist Commitment Mass:

Term 2 Wk 2	Saturday 2 May	from 6:00-7:00pm	at St Jude’s Church	child & at least one parent to attend OR	HT & SJ
Term 2 Wk 2	Sunday 3 May	from 10:30-11:30am	at St Jude’s Church	child & at least one parent to attend	HT & SJ

Sacrament of First Eucharist:

Term 2 Wk4

Saturday 16 May

from 2:00-3:00pm

at St Jude’s Church

HT Sacrament of First Eucharist

HT

Sacrament of Confirmation ~later this year

2The Sacrament of Confirmation is available for students in Year 6 who have been Baptised, made their Reconciliation and First Eucharist and are yet to receive this Sacrament. Therefore, the Parish of St Jude’s and schools will be offering all our Year 6 students the opportunity to partake in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Key Dates…

Sacrament of Confirmation Commitment Mass:

Term 3 Wk 3

Saturday 1 August

from 6:00-7:00pm

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend OR

HT & SJ

Term 3 Wk 3

Sunday 2 August

from 10:30-11:30am

at St Jude’s Church

child & at least one parent to attend

HT & SJ

Sacrament of Confirmation Family Workshop :

Term 3 Wk 3	Wednesday 29 July	from 6:30-7:30pm	at St Jude’s Parish Centre	child & at least one parent to attend	HT
Term 3 Wk 4	Wednesday 5 August	from 6:30-7:30pm	at St Jude’s Church	child & at least one parent to attend	HT

Sacrament of Confirmation:

Term 3 Wk 6

Friday 21 August

from 6:00-7:30pm

at St Jude’s Church

Sacrament of Confirmation

HT & SJ

Information regarding enrolling your child/ren in a Sacrament will be shared via SIMON, in the weeks leading up to the beginning of the particular Sacramental Program.

Kind regards,

Denham Harvie

Religious Education Leader

Week Day Masses

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday , Mass at 9.15am

Weekend Masses

Saturday 6pm,

Sunday 8.30am & 10.30am

Reconciliation: Saturday 5.30pm - 5.50pm

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