Nano Nagle Value: LOVE

This term the WHOLE school will be focussing on the Nano Nagle value of LOVE.

Our students follow our school rules of Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible. Students are reminded to follow these rules while showing LOVE, Love for their friends and teachers, Love for their environment, Love for learning, Love in God etc

You will notice that one of our class awards handed out at assembly will be for a student showing the value of LOVE in that week. Teachers are also handing out tokens on the playground to students showing the value of LOVE In their interactions on the playground.

Mini Vinnies Team ANNOUNCEMENT

Mrs Woodhouse and Mrs Moss are pleased to introduce our Year 6 Mini Vinnies team for 2025.

Congratulations go to: Demi S, Eloise L, Lily R, Sienna C, Aliyah F, Rosa N and Amelia S.

The Mini Vinnies team for 2025 will receive their badges at the end of our St Patrick's Day Mass on Monday 17th March.

St Patrick's Feast Day

All of our families are warmly invited to join us for Mass on Monday 17th March at 9am to celebrate the feast of our patron saint.

Mrs Moss and Mrs Sleishman will be taking our school leaders to St Mary's Cathedral to share in a mass with students from other schools who share St Patricks as their patron.

Feast of St Joseph

Husband of Mary - 19th March

On Wednesday 19th March, students in Years 5 and 6 will attend Mass to honour the feast of St Joseph. Families are warmly welcome to attend this 9am mass with our students.

Harmony Day

As Harmony Day for 2025 falls on our Pupil Free Day next Friday 21st March, we will celebrate Harmony Day at school on THURSDAY 20th March 2025.

Students are encouraged to wear a "touch" of orange in honour of this important day, where we celebrate Australia's extensive cultural diversity. (eg hair tie, scrunchie, socks etc)

The touch of orange is to be worn along with their usual Thursday school uniform. Teachers will complete Harmony Day activities in their classes and our Year 2 students will be sharing information about Harmony Day at our Assembly, which will be held on Thursday at 2.30pm.

Term 1 Liturgical Calendar

Project Compassion

Project Compassion donation boxes have been distributed to classes for students to add any loose change they might have and want to contribute to this worthy cause.

FAMILY EDUCATOR NEWS

Family Mass

Please join us for Family Mass @ 5.00 pm on Saturday, 22 March & stay for a sausage sizzle. Everyone is welcome!

Be A Pilgrim of Hope During Lent

Jubilee Year 2025

Pope Francis has declared 2025 a Jubilee Year, a special time of grace and renewal for the Church. The theme, Pilgrims of Hope, invites us to journey together in faith, seeking hope in a world affected by war, the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis.

What is a Jubilee Year?

The 2025 Jubilee Year began on Christmas Eve 2024 and concludes on 6, January 2026. In the Roman Catholic tradition, a Jubilee, or Holy Year, is a year of forgiveness of sins. It is a time of spiritual renewal and an opportunity to deepen our faith. One of the most symbolic traditions of the Jubilee is the opening of the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This door, which is normally bricked up, is unsealed to welcome pilgrims, reminding us that Jesus is the door through which we enter into life with God.

Pilgrimage and Plenary Indulgences

As part of the Jubilee, Catholics around the world are encouraged to make a pilgrimage, not just a physical journey to a sacred place, but also a spiritual journey of deepening faith. For those unable to travel to Rome, certain churches have been designated as Pilgrim Churches, where the faithful can participate in the Jubilee locally. In our area, both St Mary’s Cathedral in the city and St Catherine Labouré in Gymea have been appointed as Pilgrim Churches.

By making a pilgrimage to one of these churches and fulfilling specific spiritual practices, we have the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence. A plenary indulgence is a grace that removes the spiritual effects of sin, helping us grow closer to God. To receive this gift, pilgrims are asked to:

Attend Mass and receive the Eucharist with devotion,
Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession),
Recite the Creed - a profession of our faith
Pray for the needs of the church and the Holy Father
Strive to be free from attachment to sin.

Engaging Young People in the Jubilee

The Church is also making efforts to engage younger audiences in this special year. One initiative, an anime mascot, named Luce, which means “light” in Italian. Luce & Friends is part of an online platform designed to connect young people with their faith through social media, podcasts, and digital resources. Luce aims to make the message of the Church more accessible, offering reflections, prayers, and stories of faith in a way that resonates with younger generations.

Luce - Office Jubilee Hymn

Connecting Lent to the Jubilee Year

Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal, making it a perfect time to engage more deeply with the Jubilee Year. Just as the Jubilee calls us to be Pilgrims of Hope, Lent invites us to turn our hearts to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. By embracing these Lenten practices with a spirit of pilgrimage, we can journey closer to Christ, seeking forgiveness and renewal in preparation for Easter. Visiting a Pilgrim Church, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and praying for the needs of the Church during Lent can help us experience the grace of this Holy Year in a profound way.

Connecting Easter to the Jubilee Year

Easter is the celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death, making it a joyful and fitting time to embrace the Jubilee Year. Just as the Jubilee invites us to renewal and hope, Easter reminds us of the new life we receive through Christ’s resurrection. The graces of the Jubilee call us to live as Easter people, sharing the hope and joy of the Gospel in our daily lives. By participating in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and deepening our commitment to acts of love and service, we can fully enter into the spirit of the Jubilee. This Easter season, let us open our hearts to Christ’s mercy and share the message of hope with those around us.

A Year of Hope

Whether by visiting a Pilgrim Church, taking time for prayer and reflection or simply opening our hearts more fully to Christ, the Jubilee Year is an invitation to grow in faith and hope. Let us embrace this opportunity to journey together as Pilgrims of Hope, seeking God’s grace in our lives and sharing that hope with others.

Play Group

Please join Mrs. Woodhouse in the Library for playgroup on Tuesday mornings from

9.00 am - 10.15 am:

Week 6 - 11 March

Week 7 - 18 March

Week 8 - 25 March

Week 9 - 01 April

Week 10 - 08 April

Nano’s Lanterns Community Meal Service

St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School was founded over 100 years ago by the Mercy Sisters. In 1950, the Presentation Sisters took on the care of the school, faithfully serving until the establishment of Sydney Catholic Schools. Today, we continue to embrace and uphold the charisms they imparted, honouring their legacy of education, service, and compassion within our community.

Last year, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Presentation Sisters' arrival in Australia. Inspired by their founder, Nano Nagle - affectionately known as the ‘Lady with the Lantern’- we introduced a community meal service called Nano’s Lanterns.

Nano’s Lanterns provides support to members of our school community facing difficult times - whether it’s coping with the loss of a loved one, illness or injury, financial hardship, or simply feeling overwhelmed. It also serves as a way to celebrate joyous occasions, such as welcoming a new baby, when an extra helping hand can make all the difference.

We are seeking compassionate families willing to prepare a home-cooked meal or snack when a need arises. Volunteers will be contacted as requests come in, and all meals will be delivered to the school in disposable containers to ease any burden on the recipients.

Anyone who has ever received a home-cooked meal during a challenging time knows that it’s about more than just the food, it’s about knowing that someone is thinking of you, praying for you, and reaching out with kindness. A simple meal can be a profound act of love, a reminder that we are part of a caring community. This initiative beautifully reflects Jesus’ commandment: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

To ensure a structure and privacy for the meals recipients, meal drop-offs will take place exclusively on Tuesdays during term time and only when meals are needed. The identities of both those preparing and receiving meals will remain strictly confidential.

If you would like to be part of Nano’s Lanterns, please register your family by clicking the link below:

Registration Form

Together, we can bring Nano Nagle’s motto, "Deeds, not words” to life, offering light and support to others.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

*The people receiving and making the meal will be kept private

*You will be called no later than Friday afternoon to make a meal/snack for the following Tuesday.

*When you are asked to make a meal/snack, please deliver it to the office of St Patrick's, Catholic Primary School by 9.30 am on TUESDAY.

*Where possible, can all meals be delivered to the school in foil/plastic disposable containers. This takes pressure off the recipients returning dishes/crockery/Tupperware.

*PLEASE LABEL MEAL: Main ingredients, date cooked, and how to reheat

*There is one meal drop-off day (TUESDAY) each week and only when meals are needed.

*You will be asked to make one meal/snack depending on the preference you indicated on the registration form.

*Nano’s Lanterns only runs during the school term. You may only be asked to provide a meal or snack 1-3 times per year.

You may receive a message from the school office phone or my mobile requesting a meal.

MEAL IDEAS:

*Cooked chicken Schnitzel in plastic containers to reheat. Mixed salad & bread rolls.

*Beef/chicken Casserole with a microwave pouch/cups of rice or a separate container of cooked rice.

*Lasagne with salad and garlic bread

*Mild curry with a microwave pouch/cups of rice or a separate container of cooked rice.

*Mexican Wraps. Wraps in a packet, salad, cooked Mexican mince or chicken filling, sour cream.

*Fried rice and cooked chicken

*Shepherds or cottage Pie and cooked veggies.

*Bolognese sauce. Uncooked pasta, garlic bread and salad.

*Hamburgers. Cooked patties, cheese slices, salad and bread rolls.

*Baked pasta casserole. Ready for baking or baked (ready for reheat).

*Chicken/Beef Pies and veggies

*Soup and fresh bread rolls.

*Slow cook casseroles with a microwave pouch/cups of rice or a separate container of cooked rice.

*Meatballs in sauce and uncooked pasta.

*Stir fry noodle and beef/chicken (ready to reheat)

*Meatloaf with salad.

*Beef Stroganoff with a microwave pouch/cups of rice or a separate container of cooked rice.

*Quiche and salad

SNACKS:

Snacks are included in each esky that goes home and can be used by the families for special treats for the kids, afternoon teas, lunch boxes – they are a lovely ‘comfort food’ for all members of the family!

*HOMEMADE cakes, muffins, cupcakes, slices, banana bread, cookies, etc.

EXTRAS: We would also love boxes of chocolates or special treats to add to the eskies for dessert.

If you know of anyone who would benefit from a Nano's Lanterns delivery or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ann.woodhouse01@syd.catholic.edu.au.

Men Alive Weekend

Play League or League Tag for Joeys in 2025