Education in Faith

First Eucharist

On Friday 13th June, the Year 4 Candidates for First Eucharist (and those Year 4 students supporting them in their preparation) attended a retreat day at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) Primary School alongside students from OLGC and Our Lady’s, Wattle Park as well as students in the parish attending non-Catholic schools.

The day was facilitated by Gen Bryant and her team (https://genbryant.com). This day was a fundamental part of their preparation for First Eucharist. Each student participated in group activities that explored many aspects of this important Sacrament.

This Saturday (21/6), the following students will be receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time at the 6pm OHR Mass. 

Emme A, Emily B, Charlie C, Aston C, Dan C, Leo F, Tully F, Joe G, Jasmine H, Patrick J, Harrison K, Dilan R, Hailey W

Please keep these students in your prayers. May this special day be filled with joy, grace and a deep love for Jesus as they welcome Him into their hearts. 

Family Led Sunday Mass

During 2025, the Parish in conjunction with the Parish Primary Schools, has planned Family led weekend Masses. These Masses will be celebrated once a term and be followed by hospitality.  They will be a great opportunity for children and their families to be involved in a Mass within the parish community.

Family Masses will provide an opportunity for families to come together and to support each other in faith.  They can particularly be important for families who are presenting their children for Sacraments throughout the year.  There may be opportunities to reconnect with our own faith as adults.  There may be opportunities to engage with parish life and learn more about the faith, for those who are not so familiar with our local worshiping community.  All families are welcome at these family Masses no matter what your religious background or affiliation.

Family Masses scheduled for later this year are:       

Sunday, 17 August at 5.00 pm (OLGC Church)

Special invitation to Year 6 students and families (includes Confirmation Commitment)

Saturday, 15 November at 6.00pm (OHR Church)

Prep, Year 1 & Year 2 and new families for 2026 are particularly invited to this Mass

Nick Byrne

RE Leader

RE Learning in 5/6DG

In 5/6 DG we have been learning about the concept of being church. The phrase “Being Church” means doing acts of kindness. We have organised a challenge where the children would get into groups of 5 and make a proposal to Mr Dame on how we can encourage the OHR community to “Be Church.” We have created 4 different plans that are all unique such as the year 6 boys have created a concept where children bring bottles and cans to school to raise money at the 10c bottle exchange. The year 6 girls have made jars and notes with encouraging kindness challenges that will be handed out. All of these ideas were spoken and presented to Mr Dame who will take these items into consideration for the future. We have come to a conclusion that being church isn't coming to Church every week or donating to charity; it's the kindness or compassion that comes through your heart as you do these acts. We learned about a story called the ‘Widow's offering’ in the Bible. She offered 2 gold coins to charity but the man gave 100 gold coins. Jesus said, “This poor widow put in only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people. They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need." This shows that the Widow did it through her heart; it was all she could give.

By Gabby and Kiara

Sunday Gospel

The liturgy of the Catholic Church provides a framework for reflection which is used by Catholics throughout the world. Each week in the Newsletter, you will find the Sunday Gospel as well as some discussion questions to have with your child/ren.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus made the crowds welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.

It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people.’ For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, ‘Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.’ They did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.

Discussion Questions

1. Who do you invite when you share a meal?

2. Who does Jesus invite to share in his sacred meal?

3. What are some of the things we do at this sacred meal, the Mass?

4. Eucharist means ‘thanksgiving’. What can we thank God for in the Eucharist today?