Catholic Identity

Sacramental Candidates 2023/2024 ~ 

On Sunday our Sacramental Candidates came together for their Commitment Mass, as they begin the journey to receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation & Euchartist. It was a wonderful celebration where are candidates & their families stood before our parish community and received a blessing from Fr Ruel. 

We then came together at our school St. Mel's for our first Cluster Group, it was an opportunity to gather, pray together and learn from each other. Our focus/aims for our first session was together were that~ 

We belong to a family & other groups where we experience welcome, love, acceptance & responsibility.

Baptism celebrates our beginning as disciples of Christ who are filled with the Spirit. We become witnesses to Jesus’ values and teachings.

Baptism celebrates our belonging to the Church, experienced through our local parish community.

We also discussed the significance and meaning of the Sign of the Cross in our faith. This may be something you would like to share and talk about as a family. 

Here is a link to a great video clip from Fr Rob Galea who shares his wisdom: 

Thank you to our Sacramental Team for being present and participating in our night ~ Chris Dainton, Mel Shiels, Sr Pam, Anthony & Fr Rene. 

Thank you to our Year 5 & 6 leaders for helping to set up and prepare for our night, all who had been a part of this program in the last couple of years. 

Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.

Pope Francis 

Lent ~ 

One of our three pillars of Lent is prayer ~ how can we pray more during lent?

You might like to try Pope Francis' Five Finger Prayer ~ 

The five-finger prayer was written years ago by Cardinal Bergoglio before he became Pope Francis! It’s a great tool to teach children and adults how to pray because our fingers act as a visual and guides us to remember.

• The thumb is the closest finger to you. Start praying/expressing gratitude for those who are closest to you.
• The next finger is the index. Pray/express gratitude for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you.
• The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders and those in authority.
• The fourth finger is the ring finger, the weakest finger. It reminds us to pray for those in need.
• And finally, your pinkie reminds you to pray/be grateful for yourself.

Project Compassion ~

The theme of Project Compassion 2024 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each pastoral group has a  Project Compassion box you can use to donate or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website listed below.

Harmony Day ~

We eagerly anticipate celebrating the themes of Harmony and Belonging within our School Community. Each of our families brings with them a wealth of rich history and cherished traditions to share. We consider ourselves truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderfully diverse community. Our excitement mounts as we prepare and look forward to celebrating and embracing our diversity on Harmony Day this year and every day. Stay tuned for further details.

From the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians  3: 12 – 15

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever arguments you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Have a wonderful long weekend ahead, 

Danae Napier

Deputy Principal / Religious Education Leader.