Religious Education News - Week 4 Term 3

Religious Education Dates for 2025

Confirmation

Thursday 14th August - Confirmation Reconciliation service - 11:40am

Saturday 16th August- Sacrament of Confirmation – 1pm and 3pm

Eucharist

Thursday 23rd October - Eucharist Reflection Day
Thursday 23rd October - Reconciliation at 11:40am and practise
Saturday 25th October - Sacrament of First Eucharist mass at 5pm
Sunday 26th October - Sacrament of First Eucharist mass at 9:30am

Whole School Mass/Events

Friday 15th August - Feast of the Assumption Mass at 9am
Friday 7th November - St Francis Blessing of the animals service from 9am to 9:15am
Tuesday 11th November - Remembrance Day service at 10:55am
Thursday 11th December - Year 6 Graduation at 6pm
Monday 15th December - End of School Mass at 9am - TBC

Confirmation

On Saturday 16th August we have the Sacrament of Confirmation masses. Please keep in your prayers the following children:

Aston, Oscar, Andrew, Hannah, Cynthia, Ruby, Isabelle, Zane, Lauretta, Noah, Nathaniel, Hudson, Conor, Erik, Jessica, Rhiannon, Leo, Max, Elena, Carla, Lakhi, Luke, Georgia, Kenny, Isabella, Koby, Zara, Jack, Ethan, Mila, Emma, George, Gabriel, Marc, Natalie, Noah and Eva.

Feast of the Assumption

On Friday 15th August the school will be celebrating the Feast of the Assumption at 9am mass. All families are invited to attend.

In preparation for the feast day the children have been learning about the Assumption of Mary. Below is some Assumption artwork from the Foundation children.

Gospel Reflection for by Dianne Bergant CSA

In the Western church this feast celebrates the assumption of Mary into heaven; in the East it commemorates her dormition or her falling asleep. The readings invite us to reflect on the role that she plays in the mystery of our redemption. Whatever we honour in Mary in some way points to her son.

Over the centuries devotion to Mary has been expressed in forms taken from the culture out of which it developed. Sometimes she is pictured as a humble peasant girl. At other times she is depicted as a queen robed in gold of Ophir who rules from heaven. Probably the most familiar pose is that of a mother with her child. Perhaps the most dramatic of these themes is that of the celestial woman from the vision found in the Book of Revelation. It is because of the cosmic significance of Jesus that this tradition has been applied to Mary.

Though the first reading depicts a cosmic woman, the gospel reading characterises Mary as a simple peasant woman intent on offering service to another. However, the words that are placed in her mouth are words of prophetic challenge. She announces the great reversals of God’s good news. The greatness of Mary is a reflection of the greatness of the Son of God whom she bore. He was the firstfruits of salvation. He was the victor who won the kingdom. Her part in this victory was to bring him to birth and into maturity.

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

Children’s Liturgy

The reintroduction of Children's Liturgy at St Mark's Church is up and running and looking for more volunteers!

The Children's Liturgy provides a great opportunity for primary aged children to engage with the gospel in a way that is accessible and meaningful to them. It runs every Sunday at the St Mark's 9:30am mass during school terms. At the start of mass the Children’s Liturgy adult leaders take the primary school age children into the hall for a small lesson and activity about the gospel of the day. Parents are welcome to join the session if they would like. If any parents are interested in volunteering to help with the Sunday sessions, please email Andrew Davies - andrew@smdingley.catholic.edu.au

School Advisory Council

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL: