Catholic Identity 

Sacramental Program 2024

Sacrament of First Reconciliation

We have begun preparations for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation which will take place later this term.  As part of the Year 3/4 Religious Education studies this term, students are exploring the concepts of forgiveness, sorrow and contrition. They will also explore the Sacrament of Reconciliation in greater detail in preparation for its celebration.

 An important part of this preparation is the participation in a Family Sacramental Evening. This will take place on Wednesday 13th March - at the OLSC Sports Centre, from 6.30-7.30pm. Attendance at this evening is compulsory, as the program is designed to deepen the faith and understanding of all within the family to allow the sacrament to be celebrated with reverence and understanding. 

We also  request that students receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation attend the  Community Masses prior to the sacrament, 17th March at 10am in the OLSC Sports Centre. 

The Sacrament of Penance will be celebrated on Wednesday 20th March, at the OLSC Sports Centre at 6.30pm. 

The following students have indicated their intention to celebrate the sacrament this term. If your child is not on this list and you believe/wish for them to be, please contact John as soon as possible. 

Sacrament on First Holy Communion (Eucharist) and 

To receive the Sacrament of Eucharist, children must be baptised Catholic or have been welcomed into the Catholic Church and received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. 

Children will prepare for the sacrament as part of their Religious Education studies. An important part of this preparation is the participation in a Family Sacramental Evening. This will take place Tuesday 7th May at OLSC, from 6.30-7.30pm. Attendance at this evening is compulsory for those receiving the sacrament, as it is designed to deepen the faith and understanding of all within the family to allow the sacrament to be celebrated with reverence and understanding.

There will be two celebrations of the Sacrament of First Eucharist this year: Sunday 16th June and Sunday 21st July. Both will take place at 10am, in the OLSC Sports Centre. These celebrations will be part of the Community Mass. We also request that children receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist attend the two Community Masses prior to the sacrament - 21st April and 19th May at 10am at the OLSC Sports Centre. Everyone is invited to attend the celebrations, in support of those receiving the Sacrament.

As part of their preparation for the Sacrament, your child/ren will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation at school prior to Eucharist. 

The following students have indicated their intention to celebrate the sacrament this term. If your child is not on this list and you believe/wish for them to be, please contact John as soon as possible. 

Sacrament of Confirmation

Further information for both will be shared with families in the coming weeks, via the newsletter and notes given to students. Please keep an eye for these. 

Bishop Martin's Pastoral Visit 

Next Friday, the Western Region Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Martin Ashe, will be visiting OLSC as part of his pastoral visit to St. Andrew's Parish. He will first lead us in a liturgy in the hall at 12pm. Following this, he will spend some time with the 5/6 students and then have a tour of the school. Finally, he will share some lunch with staff before returning to the parish. 

All of our community is invited to the liturgy with Bishop Martin at 12pm. It is a very special honour to have him visit our school. We hope to see as many people attend as possible!

Ideas how to celebrate Lent in the 'Domestic Church'

The following are some ways you may wish to commemorate and participate in the Lenten season in the 'Domestic Church' - at home!

• Pray as a family before the evening meal.
• Read the Bible daily - Choose one of the Gospels and try to finish it by the end of Lent.
• Read about the lives of the Saints.
• Decorate a prayer space in your house with colours and symbols of Lent. 
• Celebrate the Sacraments regularly - Go to Mass and Reconciliation.
• Pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent.
• Prepare 'simple' dinners on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Project Compassion

Next week we begin our fundraising efforts for Project Compassion. Every year, Project Compassion is the main fundraiser for Caritas Australia, the charitable arm of the Catholic Church in Australia. Through this, Caritas helps those in Australia and overseas to become financially independent and self-sufficient through study, work and other means.  Please give generously throughout this Lenten season. 

School Masses

School Masses will take place twice a term this year. Our celebrations are open to all of those in our school community, and we hope to see as many of our families join us for Mass. Our next Mass is Friday, 22nd March at 12pm in the Sports Centre.  Please find below times and dates of all of our school Masses for 2024. 

Community Mass in 2024

Community Masses have resumed and will take place every third Sunday of the month. Mass will take place in the OLSC Sports Centre at 10am. It was wonderful to see so many of our school community at the first Mass last weekend. We encourage as many of our families and friends to attend these Masses, as we reinvigorate the Wyndham Vale Catholic Community. These Masses, while taking place on school grounds and involving students from our school, are open to all members of our local community. So please spread the word!

2024 Masses will be as follows:

John Dini

Catholic Identity Leader