Mission and Religious Education

MRE Newsletter Term 1 Week 8

Mission and Religious Education

Big Water Walk - Project Compassion Fundraiser

Thank you everyone for your amazing support of our BIG Water Walk and congratulations to all of our wonderful students who walked respectfully chatting and enjoying the company of their friends. We still have some money coming in but so far this year we have raised $376.35 for Project Compassion, the main fundraising event for Caritas Australia during the Liturgical Season of Lent which calls us all to unite against poverty. Walking to Manilla Weir carrying our water bottles helped foster a sense of solidarity with those people who have to walk long distances each day to access clean water for drinking, cooking and bathing. It definitely raised our awareness of the importance of the work of Caritas Australia in bringing water to communities in need and gave us a sense of gratitude that we have access to clean water.

The Annunciation of the Lord

On Wednesday 25 March we celebrate the Annunciation. On this day we remember the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus. We admire the great love and faith Mary had for God, in accepting this great honour.

Lenten Reconciliation - Wednesday 25 March

The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) in preparation for Easter will be celebrated 2-3pm on Wednesday 25 March for students in Years 3-6 who have made their first Reconciliation.  Father Mario from Gunnedah will be assisting Father Damien.

Next School Mass - Friday 27 March

Friday 27 March is our fortnightly Mass at 9.30am. Everyone welcome

Chrism Mass - Tuesday 31 March

On Tuesday 31 March Confirmation candidates will travel to Armidale for the Chrism Mass. At this Mass Bishop Murphy consecrates the Oil of Chrism and blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens to be used in the Diocese.

Holy Week and Easter Sunday - Sunday 29 March - Sunday 5 April

Holy Week commemorates and celebrates the last week of Jesus’ life on Earth. Holy Week commences on Palm Sunday when we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem when people waved palm branches and greeted him as a king. Lent finishes just before Mass on Holy Thursday and then we commence the Paschal Triduum. The Paschal Triduum is the three days commemorating Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection and commences with the Mass on Holy Thursday and concludes with the evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. On Holy Thursday we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. At this supper Jesus washed his disciples feet as a sign that they and we, should love and serve one another. He instituted the blessed Eucharist which we remember and commemorate at every Mass when he blessed and broke the bread and shared it saying ‘Take and eat, this is my body’ and blessed and shared the cup of wine saying ‘Take and drink, this is my blood’. After Supper Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray where he was arrested. On Good Friday we remember that Jesus was arrested, sentenced to death, made to carry his cross, was crucified, died and his body was laid in a tomb. Holy Saturday is a time to keep watch and wait while Jesus lays in the tomb and concludes Holy Week. On Easter Sunday we commence the liturgical season of Easter and celebrate Jesus rising to new life and conquering death so that we too may rise to new life. Easter Eggs are given as a symbol of new life.

A letter has been sent home this week from Father Damien inviting current and past altar servers to serve during this important week.

Holy Week and Easter Liturgies Thursday 2 April

This year we will be celebrating our Holy Week and Easter Liturgies on Thursday 2 April in the Church  commencing at 10.00am. Everyone is welcome to join us as we remember and celebrate the important events that took place in the life of Jesus and are central to our faith. As Holy Week is in Week 10 this year, our Easter Sunday liturgy is in this term’s liturgies as part of the Easter Triduum.

Palm Sunday: Kindergarten and Year 1 will lead us in this happy celebration.

Holy Thursday: Year 2/3M  will lead us in the important celebration of Jesus’ last supper and Year 2/3C will lead us in reflecting upon Jesus’ agony in the garden.

Good Friday: Years 5 and 6 will lead us in this more sombre commemoration.

Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday: Year 4 will lead us in this joyful celebration.

Sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation

Confirmation will be celebrated on Saturday 25 July at the 5pm Mass for eligible students in Years 5 and 6 and First Reconciliation will be celebrated on Wednesday 12 August at 12pm for eligible students in Year 2.

Connecting With Our Parish

Parish Priest: Reverend Father Damien Locke, Parish Priest

Phone: 02 6785 1094 

Email: manillaparish@armidale.catholic.org.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMichaelsParishManilla

Weekend Mass Times

We encourage all of our families to celebrate Sunday Mass with our parish.

Manilla Parish Mass Times 

1st Sunday of the month - Sunday 8.30am followed by morning tea

2nd, 3rd & 4th Sunday of the month - Saturday 5.00pm (5.30pm DST)

Attunga Mass Times 

2nd, 4th & 5th Sunday of the month - Sunday 12 noon

Manilla Parish Confession/Reconciliation/Penance Times 

30 minutes prior to the weekend Masses or by appointment at any time with Fr Damien. 

If You Would Like To Be Involved In The Life Of The Parish

We encourage all of our families to be involved in the life of the Parish. There are many ways to be involved including:

• Altar Serving for those who have made their first Holy Communion
• Reading at Mass
• Taking up the Offertory Procession
• Visitations
• Odd Jobs

If you would like to be more involved in the life of our parish, please contact Father Damien (02) 67851094 for further details.

Living Well, Learning Well 

Living Well Learning Well is a student support framework for Catholic Schools in the Armidale Diocese. The framework is based on a universal and unconditional positive regard for children and young people and supports faith, learning, wellbeing and positive behaviour domains.

St Michael’s School Rules For Living

St Michael’s School Rules For Living encompass those in the Living Well Learning Well Framework.

Parents As Partners

Armidale Catholic Schools work with Realtalk to offer families free premium access to resources to help navigate difficult areas children face, particularly in the digital world, from a catholic perspective in an increasingly complex world. SIGN UP FOR FREE ACCESS HERE

“Let Your Light Shine”, support others to let their light shine and remember “We Shine Brighter Together”

Jacquelene Cronin

Assistant Principal - Mission