Catholic Identity 

Catholic Education Week                                                        

As ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, this week we have celebrated Catholic Education Week through fun, prayer and celebration. As hope-filled people we have much to celebrate at St Mary’s as we continue to reflect on the elements of faith, love and trust. 

Pope Leo XIV 

Yesterday the first American Pope was elected to lead the Catholic Church taking the name Pope Leo XIV.  

We pray to our Lord, to give to our shepherd, Leo, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. 

Mother’s Day 

Lord,  

Bless all mothers and motherly figures this Sunday and every day.  

Grant them strength, patience, and overflowing joy in their roles as caregivers. Father, we lift up all mothers, grandmothers and motherly role models among us. We celebrate their wisdom, their strength, and the  

unconditional love they pour into our lives. 

Amen. 

Pentecost 

In Religious Education lessons, each Year level commences the new term learning about Pentecost, our Church and the celebration of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

Pentecost is a Christian holy day that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter.  

It also celebrates the birthday of the Christian church. Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish holiday held 50 days after Passover. One of three major feasts during the Jewish year, it celebrated thanksgiving for harvested crops. However, Pentecost for Christians means something far different. 

Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after him: 

       ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.     Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind  

came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and  

came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’ 

                                                                                             Acts 2:1–4 

The disciples were filled with courage. If this same Spirit helped the disciples to do such amazing things for God, then it can surely help us do the same in the particular and unique way that we’re called to serve today.  

Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit is still with us today. 

Pentecost also reminds us that nothing is impossible for God. 

St Mary’s Choir 

Such an exciting time as we begin Term 2 with our very own school choir! Twenty-four beautiful voices from enthusiastic learners have begun choir training and have successfully debuted at the Parent Information evening on Wednesday evening.  

“He who sings,” said St. Augustine, “prays twice.” The holy Bishop of Hippo meant that singing adds to our praise and worship of God - that our voices are gifts, with which we can make music to the Lord. 

Thank you to each of our members who have stepped up to share their gifts and love for music with others. 

Altar Servers.                                                                                        

This week we welcomed 7 new Altar servers who will support the current list of Altar servers and Fr Novie during School and Year level Masses as well as weekend Parish Masses. 

The role of Altar server provides an opportunity for young people to participate in a ministry of service within the celebration of the Eucharist. Congratulations to Radmilo (RJ) Kurilic, Luca McCallum, Elke McCallum, Soulbella Phelan 

Evie Gillie, Molly Cashin and Aisha Bourke who have now joined the list of Altar servers at St Mary’s. Thank you also to our experienced Altar server, Sam Liwanag for mentoring these new servers and supporting Fr Novie during this induction. 

Laudato Si Week: 17th – 24th May                                                         

Ten years ago, Pope Francis wrote an encyclical, ‘Laudato Si’ in which he invited every person on the planet to care for our common home, regardless of where we live or what resources we have.  

This call to ‘ecological conversion’ is not only about large-scale policies, but also about integrating sustainability into our daily lives in ways that fit our local context. 

Reducing waste is one way to live more sustainably. 

Small steps can make a big difference. 

Each day during this important week, Week 5, learners and staff are asked to reduce waste in their lunchboxes.  

Let's aim for a rubbish free week at school in support of our earth! 

Mass and Liturgy Timetable for Term 2