Religious Education News
Jessica Earle
Religious Education Leader
Dear St Mary’s community,
As we celebrate the Art Show, we are reminded that art is a gift given to humanity by God and can be offered back up to God. As a school, we have been working on the concept of Visio Divina as a method of prayer - tying in with last year’s focus on Lectio Divina - Visio Divina is about praying with images, such as iconography, to gain a deeper connection with God’s word. Earlier in the year, I was granted the opportunity to study in Rome where I met with Elizabeth Lev, art expert in the Vatican and discussed at length the deliberate choice of art in our local Church at St Mary’s - she was very familiar with the Architect who also designed our Melbourne Cathedral. She shared the interesting insight that art was not necessarily made because people were illiterate but because it told more of the story than merely words could. Lev also gave a lecture on the power of the Pieta - a particular focus we have used with the students in Vision Divina reflections this year - and a significant influence on our Passion Play in Term 1. There is of course a sculpture of the Pieta you can see in our St Mary’s Church in the side chapel - if you haven’t already gone to see this sculpture I encourage you to do so when you are next in to visit.
You can read her articles below on Art and Catholicism:
Thank you to the Fathers and Special Friends who attended Mass last week on Friday - your presence was special and our students loved praying and preparing a beautiful liturgy to offer prayers for you.
I also wish to extend a special congratulations to the Presentation Sisters who, this weekend, celebrate 150 years of service in Melbourne. The Presentation Sisters were the founders of our school - their impact in Victoria still can be seen in the work they continue to do. Our prayers are with them this weekend.
Sacrament of Reconciliation Year 3 families are please asked to keep a close eye out for a form going home soon regarding their child’s enrolment in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please note the dates listed in our Important Dates for Term 4 below. If your child is baptised and of age they may make the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. If your child has already made their first reconciliation there is the opportunity to join those Year 3’s on the night to make a subsequent reconciliation. If your child is not baptised but is interested in receiving the Sacraments of the Catholic Church please contact the Parish Office StKildaEast@cam.org.au as we are currently enrolling children for Baptism preparation in Term 4.
St Mary’s Liturgy Team As the Liturgy Team continues to develop we continue to invite those year 4 students who have made their First Eucharist to participate in the Liturgy Team. The liturgy team contributes to serving at the Mass as candle-bearers, cross-bearers, bell-ringers as well as helping to prepare for liturgies by lighting candles, offertory processions or leading prayers.
There are many ways to participate in the Mass at St Mary’s School, not exclusive to Catholics! If your child is not Catholic but would like to participate in assisting for Masses/Liturgies they can volunteer to read at Mass, hand out Mass Prayer Cards, and/or help lead the singing in Choir.
IMPORTANT DATES IN TERM 4
16th October 2024 5pm - Year 3 Reconciliation Family Faith Night
30th October 2024 6pm - Reconciliation Sacrament Year 3
1st November 2024 9.15am - All Saints Day Whole School Mass
9th December 2024 9.15am - Votive Mass of Immaculate Conception (Our School’s feast day) Whole School Mass
10th December 2024 - Christmas Carols Event Whole School
12th December 2024 5pm - Graduation Mass Year 6
17th December 2024 9.15am - End of Year Whole School Mass