Weekes' Weekly News

Dear Sacred Heart Kew Families,

‘Sorry seems to be the hardest word’ (Elton John 1976) 

I reckon Elton nailed it. 

Today our Year Three children found this to be true, living this experience as they celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation (as a whole year level for the first time in a number of years). It was a very special and joyous occasion for all involved. Congratulations to all Year Three children who celebrated this important next step in their faith journey, after receiving the Sacrament of Baptism, a few years ago. 

For a number of years now, our school children have celebrated their Sacraments through the Parish Sacramental program or within the particular Parish in which they reside. These Sacraments have been celebrated a few different ways, in a variety of forms, for a number of different reasons. All the children who attend Sacred Heart Kew haven’t always celebrated these Sacraments in the one place, the best place, in our beautiful Sacred Heart Parish Kew Church. Until now. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of three Sacraments that primary school children usually celebrate throughout their time here at Sacred Heart Kew. But, what is Reconciliation? 

Reconciliation (officially called the Sacrament of Penance and also known as Confession) is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in his love and mercy to offer us forgiveness for the times we have made mistakes, sinned and turned away from God. And let’s face it, in our lives there are many times when we have all made mistakes. In the school yard or at home there are many times when children can do or say the wrong thing, upsetting others or treating them unfairly. But doing wrong or hurting others, doesn’t apply just to children. And then there are the adults… 

It might have been a simple argument or disagreement, a difference of opinion with another person, where things might have been said in the heat of the moment. You might have also treated someone unfairly (not just child-like behaviour), or held on to your anger or pride for too long, letting things fester unnecessarily, when a simple ‘sorry’ and ‘let’s move on’ is really all that is required. These are just a few examples of when mistakes may have been made, requiring reflection for our actions, saying ‘sorry’ and asking for forgiveness. And for some people, saying sorry doesn’t come naturally, it can be quite a difficult task. 

As part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation today, our Year Three children reflected (examination of conscience) upon their lives, recalling the times in which they may have done the wrong thing or made mistakes. They then (confessed) these things to God, through a conversation with Father Trevor, telling God how sorry they are (act of contrition) for doing wrong, and asking God for forgiveness (receiving absolution from their sins). This was all completed in the presence of God, back in our beautiful Sacred Heart Parish Kew Church. The final piece of the puzzle is now left in their hands, as our Year Three children go out and fulfil their penance, by righting wrongs, and learning from their mistakes, with new actions and words replacing the old behaviours. 

As we all know and understand, there have been some changes within our Parish since February this year, and these changes have flowed into our school and our community. In February we were introduced to Father Trevor Tibbertsma, getting to know and welcoming him to our school community. We’ve really enjoyed working with Father Trevor over the last few months, in turn, strengthening the relationship that exists between Parish and School. Father Trevor has been a breath of fresh air (I’ve heard this from a number of different sources) since his arrival here in Kew. We thank him for his faith leadership, his humility, and his openness, and his support of us as a school and staff, as he’s welcomed all members of our school and community to Church each week. Thank you to Father Trevor for celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation with our Year Three children today and for allowing the school to oversee the Sacramental Program this year and in the years to come. We are eternally grateful for this important part of our Catholic faith and tradition to be entrusted to us as a school once more. 

Thank you to James Millane (Religious Education Leader) for working closely with Father Trevor, organising the Sacramental program so that all our Sacred Heart Kew children can receive these Sacraments together, within the Sacred Heart Parish Kew Church. Thanks also to Father Trevor and James Millane for facilitating the Reconciliation Parent/Child Night earlier this week. Thank you to our Year Three classroom teachers for preparing and supporting our Year Three children with this important Sacrament, as they’ve always done within school time. As mentioned earlier, we congratulate all our children who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and we also acknowledge and thank their Year Three peers who participated in the Religious Education program during school time, and for supporting their classmates with this important faith milestone. 

‘Sorry seems to be the hardest word’ (Elton John 1976)

Yes this is definitely true, our Year Three children found this out today. However, they also found out and experienced the tremendous richness that exists in saying sorry, in receiving forgiveness and then righting wrongs. It’s really very simple. As simple as just ‘saying sorry’. And when you do, your life and the lives of others can be positively enhanced and effected in a truly special and meaningful way.  

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend.

Kind Regards,

Ed Weekes

School Principal