OUR FAITH
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
I know you receive what is in my heart. Let me be inspired by your words
and by the actions of your son, Jesus. Guide me to make sacrifices this Lent
in the spirit of self-denial and with greater attention to you and to those around me.
Help me to believe that you will grant me this because of the sacrifice Jesus made for me.
Amen
We pray ...
for..... Pope Francis, for our school community as we continue to pray, give and reflect on our words and actions through the season of Lent, and for those experiencing war and conflict.
LITURGY NEWS
Reconciliation and Class Visit
Yesterday some of the Year 5 students attended Reconciliation and Year 1 had a class visit from Fr Saji. We thank Fr Saji for his time and spiritual guidance.
Family Masses
Our next family mass will be held on Sunday 6th April (Yr 1 and Yr 5) at St Nicholas Church at 9.30a.m.
These Masses are an opportunity for our School community to come together with our Parish Community to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word and to share a ‘cuppa ‘and morning tea afterwards.
NEW BISHOP FOR ARMIDALE
Pope Francis made the announcement on February 27th, 2025, appointing Rev. Dr. Peter Murphy as the new Bishop of Armidale. Father Peter Murphy is currently the parish administrator of St Michael's Cathedral in Wagga Wagga and Vicar General of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga. Bishop elect Fr Peter Murphy will be ordained in early May at the Cathedral in Armidale. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed the appointment, with Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB stating, "It is with great joy we welcome the appointment of Fr Peter as Bishop of Armidale". Father Peter Murphy has a background in agriculture, working as a field agronomist before entering the seminary. He holds degrees in philosophy and theology and has served as a priest in various parishes.
JUBILEE DAY MASS
The Cathedral is on a pilgrimage! How is that possible? Well, it is not quite the actual Cathedral but it is a very detailed miniature replica. It will visit every parish and every school in our diocese. We will have an opportunity to view the mini Cathedral in October and find out more about the role of the Bishop, the place of the Cathedra and the Cathedral. The pilgrimage will begin at the Jubilee Day at the Cathedral in Armidale on March 25 which coincides with the Annunciation. Mr Flynn, Mrs Dunst, Jax Graf, Nate Drury, Layla Sumner and Sophie Dowsett will represent the St Nicholas Community at the Jubilee Day celebrations.
SACRAMENTS
This year our Year 3 and Year 6 baptised Catholic students will be involved in receiving the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion (First Eucharist) and Confirmation respectively. These are important events in the life of our students, school and Parish and we look forward to sharing these occasions with our students.
For any new students beginning at St Nicholas in 2025, if there is a Sacrament that they have missed receiving please contact Mrs Dunst as soon as possible rdunst@arm.catholic.edu.au
The following dates have been set aside for these special events;
First Reconciliation: Wednesday 18th June 2025 - St Nicholas Church 5.30pm
First Eucharist: Weekend of 21st/22nd June 2025
Confirmation: Weekend of 13th/14th September 2025
FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST EUCHARIST
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation and program will begin early in Term 2 for our students and parents in Year 3. This will include a Parent Information and Enrolment Session at St Nicholas Church on Wednesday 30th April at 5.30pm or a repeat session on Saturday 3rd May at 2.00pm. At least one parent is required to attend one of these sessions.
SCHOOL AGED BAPTISM
School - Age Baptism is being offered at St Nicholas Parish for children in Kinder to Year 6 who would like to be baptised.
Parent Information Session: Thursday 27th March, 4pm, Parish Meeting Room
School Age Baptisms: Saturday 5th April at 10am, St Nicholas Church.
Pamphlets are currently available at the back of St Nicholas & St Mary’s Churches or for more information please contact the Parish office on 67662228.