Religion
Beginning of School Year Mass
This Friday we will be celebrating our Beginning of School Year Mass in St Mark’s Church at 9.00am. We warmly invite you to come along and join us at this celebration.
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we read about Jesus teaching and how we are called to "give glory" to our Father in heaven through our "good works". This reminds us of the importance of our actions, which allow us to spread the light of Jesus with those around us. LET OUR LIGHT SHINE!
Gospel Mt 5:13-16
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’
The Gospel of the Lord
Prayer for our Students
Dear Lord,
As our students begin a new school year,
we pray that you will keep them in your care.
Send your Spirit to open their minds
to all that is true and beautiful and good.
Help them to see the gifts and talents
you have given them and to use them well.
Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Help them to be kind to others
and lead others to be kind to them.
Give their teachers patience and understanding
and help them teach what is just and true.
Enfold them in your peace and protection.
Hold them in the palm of your hand.
Amen.
St Mark, Pray for us
Church Season of Lent
On Wednesday 18th February we will gather as a community for the Ash Wednesday Mass at 9.00am. This day marks the beginning of the Church Season of Lent (which lasts for 40 days) and is a time of preparation for Easter.
During the Ash Wednesday Mass, we will be blessed with ashes, which calls us to reflect on our poor choices and to follow the teachings of Jesus in our words and actions. During the season of Lent we are called to focus on service of love (such as acts of kindness), fasting and spending time in prayer.
Our Mercy Tradition
Catherine McAuley founded the Order of the Sisters of Mercy. Our school was operated by the order of the Sisters of Mercy until 1976. Today there are still many Sisters of Mercy all around the world helping people in need.
Mercy Values- Justice, Hospitality, Courage, Service, Compassion, Respect
St Mark’s Mercy Values are based on the vision of Catherine McAuley. These values
remind us of the importance to respect the dignity of all persons, by using wisely the gifts that God has given us so that we can continue to promote peace in our world through our words and actions.
How can we today put into action the Mercy Values- at home and at school?
St Mark’s Saints Club
Next week your child will receive a letter inviting them to be a member of the St Mark’s Saints Club. The club’s main focus is looking at ways of putting our Mercy Values into action within and beyond our school and parish community.
2026 Sacrament News
Letters will be sent home soon to our Years 3, 4, and 6 students outlining information about this year’s Sacramental Program. We look forward to working in partnership with families in preparing the children for this next step of their journey in the Catholic faith.
First Eucharist: (Yr 4) Sacrament Mass: Sunday 21st June at 10:00am
Confirmation: (Yr 6) Sacrament Mass: Friday 21st August 6.00pm
First Reconciliation: (Yr 3) Sacrament Service: Wednesday 2nd September at 7pm
Staff Prayer Cloth
Our wonderful staff worked in collaboration during our Staff Day last week to create an artistic design for our Staff Prayer Cloth. We would like to offer this opportunity for a family member to assist with sewing the sections of our prayer cloth together.
Please contact me via email dorothy.mash@smfawkner.catholic.edu, or leave a message at the school office. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Dot Mash - RE Leader
Tues-Thurs