Easter & Sacramental Program

An Easter Prayer

Loving God,

We believe that in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we have the great sign of hope for the world.

In this world, people live prayerfully, simply and generously – always mindful of your presence.

May we go forth on this day, blessed by your great love, inspired by the selfless love of Jesus and enlivened with the hope of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Last Call for Sacramental Program Enrolments – Year 3 and up

All Sacramental Program enrolment forms need to be returned by the end of this week – and a hard copy of the enrolment forms where sent home to all students from Year 3 up (who haven’t previously completed the program).

Forms can be returned to the office (with a baptism certificate) or sent to Josh Page via email (jpage@stpats.catholic.edu.au) or the school email (info@stpats.catholic.edu.au)

The aim is to complete Reconciliation in Term 2, and Confirmation/First Communion in late Term 3/Early Term 4. Dates will be finalised shortly and we will confirm all details as soon as possible.

If you require enrolment forms please do not hesitate to contact the office.

Holy Week / Easter

As we approach the end of Term 1 – for the first time in quite a while the Easter Long Weekend falls completely within the school holidays. Therefore – Week 11 will nominally be Holy Week – which is the most important week in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar as we acknowledge the last week in Jesus’ life. The week officially begins with Palm Sunday (this coming Sunday) – which marks the triumphant entry of Jesus in to Jerusalem, and ends on Easter Sunday where Jesus is resurrected after dying on the cross.

As part of this week – our classes are acknowledging the week with three different prayers in class that will celebrate:

Palm Sunday

Holy Thursday – Last Supper/Washing of the disciples feet

Good Friday – Stations of the Cross – a visual representation of the last day of Jesus’ life.

Easter Eggs

As part of our Catholic Easter traditions - generally the giving of Chocolate Eggs is completed on Easter Sunday as a sign of new life - and is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection from the tomb after the crucifixion. Also - the egg - in ancient times was also one of the foods from which people fasted from during Lent - and therefore is

another reason it has been used for Easter chocolate - as people looked forward to being able to eat eggs again.

Many countries/Christian religions have then also had their traditions around egg decorating in relation to Easter.

To help our students celebrate Easter – as part of this week students will be decorating Easter baskets and preparing a space in their classrooms in preparation to celebrate Jesus resurrection in Week 1 of Term 2. The school will be supplying some Easter Eggs to the students which will be handed out on the first day back next term.

Recycling Easter Egg Foil

Did you know that the foil packaging of Easters eggs do not need to be thrown into landfill bins. This packaging can be placed in the recycling bin – as you each your easter chocolate, take the foil wrappers and make a large foil ball, by continuing to add foil over and over again. Once the foil ball is the size of a small fist (or larger) then place it in the recycle bin.

End of Term Message

As we approach the end of a busy Term 1 – I would like to wish everyone in our school community a wonderful break and hope that you are able to spend some quality time with your families and friends to recharge and get ready for another fun-filled Term 2.

Joshua Page - Acting Deputy Head of Campus