Faith Matters

Dear St Francis Xavier Families,

Yesterday we commenced the liturgical season of Lent, a period of preparation to celebrate our Lord's resurrection at Easter.

LENT AT SFX

At St Francis Xavier we will be specifically addressing the 'pray' and 'serve' elements with the children. This ties in beautifully with the announcement from Pope Francis that 2024 will be marked as a Year of Prayer.  Over the last few years we have strongly promoted, encouraged and created a broad range of rich opportunities for our students to experience prayer in a range of forms.  Our recent Archdiocese Review acknowledged our practice by marking us at the highest possible level for all categories within the area of 'Praying and Celebrating'.  Once again, we will be sharing ideas and ways in which we can serve during Lent - the children will be considering behaviours and deeds that can be undertaken to show care and support for others.  This will complement the next stage of our whole school 'Respect' focus - What does respect look like?  I encourage you to chat with your children about what they have been learning and practising with regard to our respect focus and Lenten learnings.

PROJECT COMPASSION 2024

We have also begun the Caritas (Catholic International Aid and Development Agency) sponsored 'Project Compassion' which will continue throughout Lent.  Every classroom has a money box and accompanying posters which encourage us to donate towards supporting projects in aid of marginalised communities overseas.  Last year in addition to the coins the children brought in, we donated our Term 1 Zooper Dooper takings. It was our most successful Project Compassion campaign ever!  

God's blessings and best wishes, 

Marion O'Brien

Education in Faith Leader