FIRST HOLY COMMUNION RETREAT DAY

To help the students prepare for their upcoming sacrament the Year 3 class and other students receiving their First Holy Communion, will engage in a retreat day on Wednesday the 4th of September.

The students will engage in many reflective activities, reconciliation and adoration on this day. We invite the parents to join us from 8:50 am until 9:50 am for Religious Storytelling and activities in the Year 3 Classroom.

Please be reminded that FIRST HOLY COMMUNION will take place on Sunday, 8th September at 9.30am.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Students in Year Six are invited to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year. The Bishop’s office has confirmed that this will take place in the Holy Family Church on October 31st at 6:00 pm. Students will complete the preparation for this sacrament in class with Mr Brett and the help of Father Allan and Father Rafael.

Please take note of these important dates:

Parent Information Night - 10th of September at 6pm in the Hall
Commitment Masses - Every weekend up until the Confirmation Ceremony following the information night. Families can choose which Mass time.

Students will be asked to be involved in each Mass. They may like to read, altar serve or take part in the offertory procession.

Students and their families are required to attend all the dates listed above as they are a requirement of the sacramental program.

FEAST OF MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP

Thank you to Miss Siapkas and Year Three for leading our community for Mass to acknowledge the Feast of Mary of the Cross MacKillop. This feast is held on the 8 August in honour of the revered Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. She was the first Saint of Australia, and her influence has spread far and wide. She is recognised for her commitment to the poor, helping those who needed it the most in any way she could.

MISSION DAY/FATHER'S DAY

On September the 2nd St Aidan's will hold their annual Mission Day Celebration. This year we will also be beginning the day with the Father's Day breakfast starting at 7:45 am which will be followed with Open Classrooms.

Mission Day is a long standing tradition at St Aidan’s. It consists of Year 6 running games and activities, selling items that are donated to the school and delicious food with money raised going to the CWF (Charitable Works Fund) and the 'Little Sister's of the Poor'.

Mission Day would not be possible without your generous donations and the help of parent volunteers. We kindly ask families to donate the following items:

GRADE	ITEM TO DONATE	DELIVERY DATE
Kindy	Bags of Lollies (to be made by Year 6 into lolly bags)	Anytime from Friday 9 August
Year 1	Juice Poppers
Year 2	Single bags of Fairy Floss
Year 3	Baked Goods - these donations can be purchased or homemade. They need to be in individual size servings, for example, cupcakes, slices, chocolate crackles, brownies, etc. Please note that all food donations must be NUT FREE.	On the day Monday 2nd September
Year 4	Single small packets of Chips or Popcorn	Anytime from Friday 9 August
Year 5	Hair Spray & Temporary Tattoos & Nail Polish
Year 6	Any items they need for their individual stalls Prize for your events ie mini rubbers, bouncy balls, stickers (not sweets for prizes)
EVERYONE	Trash and Treasure, bric-a-brac, costume jewellery, children’s books, board games, pre-loved toys, bags, etc Prizes for the chocolate wheel

If you do not wish for your child to participate in any of the Mission Day activities or eat any of the food that will be on offer, please contact the school office and your child’s classroom teacher.

Please note that students who have an allergy will wear a lanyard so that all adults are aware of this allergy.

If you are able to help please return the slip along with your childs sausage sizzle note that your child brought home early in the term.

CLASS PRAYER

We are so excited to announce that this being the Year of Prayer we will be reintroducing Class Prayer. Each class will lead a small class prayer in thier classrooms which will reflect what they have been learning in class. Please see the timetable below for when your childs Class Prayer will take place:

Class	Day and Time
Year 2	Thursday 29th of August @ 2:45
Year 6	Thursday 5th of September @ 2:45
Year 3	Thursday 12th of September @ 2:45
Year 4	Wednesday 11th September @ 2:45
Kindy	Thursday 19th of September @ 2:45
Year 5	Thursday 19th of September @ 2:45

CLASS MASS

You are warmly invited to to join us to weekly mass. Please find the date for your child’s class mass below.

Friday 30th of August	Year 1 to lead - Whole School Mass
Friday 6th of September	Year 2
Friday 13th of September	Year 4
Friday 20th of September	Year 3

To allow all students the opportunity to read at mass, students will be allocated readings which will be sent home prior to their class mass for them to practice.

ST AIDAN'S PRAYER BEAR

We welcome to the St Aidan's Community Aidan the Prayer Bear. Being the Year of Prayer we would like to introduce a new initiative of a Prayer Bear. Aidan the Prayer Bear will be allocated to one family each week to encourage prayer at home.

When we pray, we grow closer to God, just like when we chat with people in our family or our friends at school. Talking and sharing our thoughts and stories make us better friends. God loves it when we talk with Him in our prayers.

Aidan the Prayer Bear will be sent home with a journal and a set of instructions and needs to be returned each week to pass on to a new family. We also ask you send an email the school office with a photo of you praying with the Prayer Bear and include in prayers enjoyed most. You may be included newsletter.

FAMILY PARISH MASS

We are so excited to announce that this term's Family Parish Mass will take place the same day as First Holy Communion, Sunday the 8th of September. We have the amazing opportunity to support our First Holy Communion Candidates in receiving this special sacrament as a community. We hope to see you there!

REMINDERS WHEN TAKING THE BODY OF CHRIST

Just a gentle reminder from the Parish in relation to taking the Body of Christ during Mass. We have reminded students that when receiving Communion we approach the altar with reverence. When receiving the host, either place your hands in a cupped position or open your mouth, and consume it immediately. This should only be received by those who have been previously baptised in a Catholic Church and have received their First Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Please see linked document for further information LINK

HOLY FAMILY PARISH CONTACT DETAILS

Please find below the contact details for Family Parish

The parish contact details are: holyfamilymaroubra@outlook.com and 9349 1198

Jenna Smithson,

Religious Education Coordinator

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