Mission and Religious Education

MRE Newsletter Term 1 Week 2

Mission and Religious Education

Welcome Father Damien Locke

We extend a very warm welcome to Father Damien Locke as our Parish Priest following the retirement of Father John Curran. Father Damien has visited the school and met the students and staff and is looking forward to meeting our school families. He is enjoying his move to Manilla and we look forward to working and celebrating with him this year and for many years to come.

Beginning of Year Mass

Next Friday 13 February we will celebrate our Beginning of the School Year Mass at 9.30am in St Michael’s Church. As a school family it is important to take the time at the beginning of each school year to gather and pray for God’s blessings and everyone is welcome to join us for this very special celebration. Our School Captains: Alice Coombes and Miller Burke and our Sports Captains: Georgia Abra and Jet Martin will be officially inducted during the Mass and presented with their badges. Our school staff will also be inducted.

This year children who have not made their first communion will receive a special blessing.

Lent

Lent is the Church season when we prepare to celebrate Easter. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving to the poor). The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and finishes on Holy Thursday at sundown.  Busted Halo has a clip Lent in 3 Minutes that is helpful in understanding Lent.

Ash Wednesday Mass

On Ash Wednesday 18 February we will be attending Mass with the parish. At this Mass all in attendance are signed with a cross of ashes on their foreheads. We are reminded on this first day of Lent that Jesus loves us and throughout Lent we try to grow closer in our relationship with God.

Confirmation

This year eligible students in Years 5 and 6 will be confirmed by Bishop Peter Murphy. Please note the change of date due to a clash with the Manilla Show. Bishop Murphy will speak to the children being confirmed on Friday 24 July and the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Saturday 25 July. Parents and carers may like to contact their child’s sponsor now to ‘save the date’.

Connecting With Our Parish

Parish Priest: Reverend Father Damien Locke

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

Our Lady of Lourdes

On Wednesday 11 February we keep the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes which is also designated by the Church as World Day of Prayer for the Sick. We will celebrate an outdoor Mass (weather permitting) at 9am in the little rose garden in the backyard of the presbytery, dedicating it to Our Lady of Lourdes. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will also be available. All are most welcome.

Lenten Reflection Group 2026

The Lenten Reflection Group will be held each Wednesday afternoon from 18 February-25 March from 4-5pm in St Michael’s Primary School. All are most welcome to attend.

Missionary Orders Special Collection

For a number of years, the Diocese has taken up a special collection in support of the work the Missionary Orders, who have priests ministering here in the Diocese of Armidale, undertake in their own country. The funds from these appeals will help to support the marginalised people in the local areas where the La Salette’s (Philippines), Rogationists of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (India) and Oblates of Saint Joseph (Philippines) minister.The Missionary Orders Special Collection will be held this weekend. Special envelopes are available inside the bulletin which can be placed on either collection this weekend or next.

Thank you!

Working Bee

St Michael’s Parish Organisation will have a working bee in/around the church at 8.30am on Saturday 21 March.

Returning of Last Year’s Palms

Please return your Palms from last year so that they can be prepared for Ash Wednesday on 18 February.

Bishop Murphy’s Visitation and Confirmation

In consultation with the schools in Manilla & Barraba and considering dates of local events, Bishop Murphy’s Visitation and Confirmation have now been rescheduled to 24-26 July 2026.

Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for February

For children with incurable diseases, asking for necessary care, support, and for them and their families to never lose hope.

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