Director of Faith and Mission
Mrs Rochelle Gough
🟪Lent
As we continue to journey through the liturgical season of Lent, we are invited to embark on a period of spiritual reflection, self-examination, and renewal. Lent is a time when we prepare our hearts and minds for the joyous celebration of Easter by engaging in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
During this sacred season, we are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who spent 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and praying, in preparation for his ministry. It is a time for us to draw closer to God, to deepen our relationship with Him, and to seek forgiveness for our shortcomings.
At our school, we embrace Lent as an opportunity for growth and spiritual development. Throughout these 40 days, we encourage our students to reflect on the values of faith, humility, and compassion, and to discern ways in which they can live out these values in their daily lives.
One of the central themes of Lent is fasting – not only from food but also from distractions and temptations that may hinder our spiritual growth. By abstaining from certain pleasures or indulgences, we are reminded of the importance of self-discipline and the need to prioritize our relationship with God above all else.
In addition to fasting, Lent calls us to prayer – to set aside time each day to communicate with God, to listen to His voice, and to seek His guidance. Through prayer, we find strength, solace, and inspiration to face life’s challenges with faith and courage.
Finally, Lent challenges us to practice almsgiving – to extend a helping hand to those in need, to share our blessings with others, and to embody the spirit of compassion and generosity that lies at the heart of the Christian faith. Whether through acts of kindness, charitable donations, or volunteer service, we are called to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
As we journey through Lent together, let us embrace this season of grace with open hearts and minds. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, growth, and transformation for each one of us, as we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and to embody His love and mercy in the world.
Wishing you all a blessed Lenten season
filled with reflection, renewal, and compassion.
🟪 Project Compassion
As part of Lent’s almsgiving, St Mary’s continues to be involved in fundraising for the Catholic charity Caritas Australia, through the program Project Compassion.
🟪 Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week will be celebrated in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne from 10–17 March 2024.
This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘In the Light of Christ’.
Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and walk the way of the gospel to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.
There are 331 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne that educate around 114,000 students and employ more than 16,000 teachers and staff, and most will celebrate Catholic Education Week in some way.
🟪 Sacrament Of Reconciliation
Our Year 3 students have begun their journey of learning about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Guided by their teachers and supported by our faith community, these young learners are exploring the significance of seeking forgiveness and experiencing God's boundless mercy. Through discussions, reflective activities, and age-appropriate lessons, our Year 3 students are gaining a deeper understanding of the sacrament's role in their lives. As they learn about the importance of making good choices and realising there are always consequences to these choices, seeking reconciliation with God and others, and experiencing the power of forgiveness. This sacrament lays a foundation for a lifetime of faith-filled living.
Parents and teachers both share the important task of preparing the children for this special occasion, which will take place on Wednesday 27th March at 6:30pm in St Mary’s Catholic Church.
A significant aspect of the preparation is a Sacramental Meeting on Wednesday 13th at 6:30pm to be held in the College Library. Parents and candidates come together to explore the sacrament and to develop further their understanding of their faith.
Rochelle Gough