Education in Faith

Sacramental Dates for 2026 

Parents please be aware of the following dates and note them in your calendar:

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 19th November 2026.
• Grade 3 will receive First Eucharist in Term 2 on Saturday, 13th June 2026.
• Grade 6 will receive Confirmation – Term 3 on Saturday, 29th  August 2026.

Reconciliation: baptised Catholics in Year 2.

Eucharist: baptised Catholics in Year 3 or who have celebrated their Reconciliation.

Confirmation: Year 6 Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

“Christ Beside Me: Walking in the Footsteps of St Patrick”

As we begin a new academic year, we warmly welcome all staff, students and families back to our school community. A special welcome to our new families and staff joining us this year, we are delighted that you are now part of our story. 

We look forward to journeying together in faith, learning and community as we place Christ at the centre of all that we do.

This weekend’s Gospel for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 5:1–12) presents us with the Beatitudes, some of the most beautiful and challenging teachings of Jesus. From a hillside overlooking the crowd, Jesus describes what it truly means to live as one of his followers. He blesses the poor in spirit, the gentle, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who seek what is right. Rather than praising power or success, Jesus lifts up humility, kindness, courage and compassion.

At first glance, the Beatitudes may seem upside-down to the world around us. Yet Jesus reminds us that God’s way is different. True happiness is found not in what we have, but in how we love, how we treat others, and how we trust God especially in times of challenge. These words invite us to reflect on the choices we make each day in our learning, playground, homes and workplaces.

Our theme for the year, “Christ Beside Me: Walking in the Footsteps of St Patrick,” connects beautifully with this Gospel. St Patrick’s life was shaped by a deep trust that Christ walked beside him in every circumstance through hardship, uncertainty and mission. Like St. Patrick, we are reminded that we never walk alone. Christ is beside us as we learn, teach, forgive, begin again, and grow together as a faith community.

As we begin this new school year, may the Beatitudes guide our hearts and actions. May we notice Christ beside us in moments of joy and difficulty, and may our words and actions reflect God’s love to everyone we meet.

Discussion Starters 

• Which Beatitude do you find easiest to live? Which one do you find most challenging? Why?
• What might it look like to be a peacemaker at school, at home, or in the playground?
• How can we show mercy and kindness in our family this week?
• When have you felt that Christ was “beside you” during a difficult or important moment?
• How can St Patrick’s trust in God inspire us at the start of this new year?
• May this term be filled with learning, hope and the reassurance that Christ walks beside us always.

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose

Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

Welcome back to a new school year, 2026!! 

We will miss our Grade 6 Mini Vinnies who have now gone onto Secondary School but we welcome back our current Grade 6 Mini Vinnies who were Mini Vinnies in Grade 5 last year. They will now lead the group. We also welcome our new Grade 5 Mini Vinnies who have chosen to join our team.

Today I called for all interested Grade 5/6 students to attend a meeting. We discussed the purpose of the SFS Mini Vinnies and the fact that we are a part of the St Vincent De Paul Society. We spoke briefly about the St Vincent de Paul Society logo and the significance behind it.

“The logo of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is quite well known throughout the world as it is now one of largest voluntary Catholic groups in the world. The logo stands as a symbol of hope and goodwill and is quite cleverly made to signify the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul.

The logo depicts three hands on top of one another. The middle one holds a cup, the top hand is place over the cup with the palm facing downwards, and the bottom hand is placed below the middle hand with the palm facing upwards. The hand at the top signifies the hand of Christ, which blesses the cup. The hand in the middle signifies the hand of love which offers the cup blessed by Christ. And the bottom hand signifies the one who is suffering and must receive the cup. This is truly a brilliant depiction of the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul. The members of this society are popularly known as ‘Vinnies’ and they work under the slogan of ‘good works.’”

We had 34 students sign up to be part of the SFS Mini Vinnies this year but I am sure we will get a few extra members with students who were absent today. They will attend meetings during 2nd lunch on Fridays. They will have this term to attend the meetings and find out a bit more about what Mini Vinnies do. They will then be asked to make a commitment to join Mini Vinnies by the end of this term when they will be presented with their Mini Vinnies badge. 

Well done to all those students who are willing to give up their lunchtimes to make a difference in our community and world.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

Today we also distributed the House Point sheets to each Home Group. Staff will begin to give out points to students who demonstrate community spirit within the Learning Space and out on the playground. This will include demonstrating our school PBL Values. 

We will begin to give you updates of points next week.

Giuliana

Mini Vinnies Facilitator

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au