St Nicholas School

OUR FAITH

PRAYER 

All powerful and ever living God, source of all holiness, we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place. May the prayers of your saints bring us your forgiveness and love. May our hearts be on fire with your love. 

Amen

We pray ... 

for.....  all those loved ones who have gone to be with our heavenly Father, all Year 12 students in particular the McCarthy Catholic College students as they undertake their HSC exams. 

LITURGY NEWS

Yesterday some of our Year 4 students had the opportunity to attend Reconciliation. Next Wednesday more of our Year 4 students will have the opportunity to attend Reconciliation and Year 2 will have a class visit with one of our parish priests. We thank Fr Chris and Fr Saji for their time and spiritual guidance.

FAMILY MASSES

Family Masses for this term will be held Sunday 3rd November (Yr 3 families) and Sunday 1st December (Yr2 and Yr 4 families) at St Nicholas Church at 9.30a.m. 

 

These Masses are an opportunity for our School community to come together with our Parish Community to celebrate and to share a ‘cuppa ‘and morning tea afterwards.

 

Feast Days 

All Saints Day (Friday 1st November) & All Souls Day (Saturday 2nd November)

excerpt from Mercy Partners - 

 

Relationships We Hold Dear

As we celebrate All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day, we enter a meaningful time of reflection, inviting us to explore the connections between life, death, and our shared human experience. These days remind us not just of the traditions that help shape our beliefs but also of the relationships we hold with those who have come before us. Halloween, rooted in All Hallows’ Eve, becomes an opportunity to honour not only saints but also all those we have loved and lost.

 

While many might see Halloween as a time for costumes, sweet treats or tricks, it carries a deeper significance. As noted by Christopher Wells in the Vatican News, “Halloween has deep roots in the Catholic Church, particularly through the Vigil of All Saints.” This celebration serves as a bridge connecting us to our heritage, encouraging us to reflect on our lives and the legacies of those who have walked alongside us.

 

In these moments of contemplation, we can think about the lives of those who inspire us. Each saint, with their unique story, illustrates our shared humanity. They remind us that they, too, faced challenges and triumphs, much like we do. This connection to their experiences encourages us to live authentically, guided by compassion and love. Celebrating these lives gives us the chance to recognise that their journeys still resonate with us today.

 

All Souls Day follows All Saints Day, inviting us to remember our loved ones who have passed away. It serves as a gentle reminder that death doesn’t break our bonds; rather, it transforms them. As Pope Francis beautifully puts it, “When we lose a loved one, we do not lose them completely; they continue to live in us.” This thought brings comfort, assuring us that our cherished memories keep our departed loved ones alive in our hearts.

 

We can remember our departed loved ones in many ways. Here are a few suggestions:

 

Light a candle

  • Set aside a special time to light a candle in memory of your loved ones.
  • Consider creating a small memorial space in your home with their photos or mementos.

Share stories

  • Gather family and friends to share memories and stories that celebrate their lives.

Cherish moments

  • Reflect on the cherished moments and special times spent together.

Create rituals

  • Establish a yearly ritual on All Souls Day or another meaningful day to remember them. This could include a special meal, a family gathering, or a quiet moment of reflection.

Pray or meditate

  • Take time to pray or meditate for the souls of your departed loved ones. This can be a comforting way to connect with them spiritually.

Keep their legacy alive

  • Consider starting a tradition or charity in their honour that reflects their values or passions.
  • Share their stories with younger generations to keep their spirit alive in family history.

As we enter into this trio of days, let us engage in meaningful reflection on our connections with both the saints and those we have lost. In doing so, we celebrate not just the past but also our present, embracing the shared journey of our lives. May we find joy in our connections and inspiration in the stories of those who have illuminated our paths.

 

https://www.mercypartners.org.au/mercy-moments/relationships-we-hold-dear/

REAL TALK - YEAR 4 AND YEAR 6

The REAL Talk team will facilitate workshops with our Year 4 and Year 6 students on Friday 8th November. It is important that parents are aware of what will be discussed with their child. Real Talk has therefore provided a link to the parent membership site. Access to all content is free and very beneficial. https://realtalkparents.com/primaryfreeyear

 

WHO IS REAL TALK? Real Talk provides seminars, reflection days and up-to-date resources to young people on topics relating to identity, eSafety, relationships, love, sex and marriage. They speak to over 30,000 students each year and provide resources to support children and their parents.

ALTAR SERVERS

Any interested student who would like to become an Altar Server and has made their First Eucharist is strongly encouraged to join the training sessions for new altar servers. The training sessions will be conducted by Fr Chris and will be held on Tuesday 29th October and Tuesday 5th November from 4.00 - 5.00pm at St Nicholas Church. For further information or for any questions please email or phone Mrs Renee Dunst rdunst@arm.catholic.edu.au - 67661500

 

YOUTH GROUP