Feast of Mary, Help of Christians- May 25th 2026

This feast day commemorates the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under this title and is particularly significant in Australia, where she is honoured as the Patroness of our country.

Mary Help of Christians Prayer

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts

our love of Mary Help of Christians.

Through her prayers and under her protection,

may the light of Christ shine over our land.

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

Bless especially the men and women

of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Pentecost Sunday

This Sunday the Catholic Church celebrates Pentecost, which is the Church’s birthday! The word Pentecost is Greek and means "50th day." Fifty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their ministry to ‘make disciples of all nations’. At Pentecost, the Apostles and their followers were gathered in a room. At this time, a great wind blew and a flame appeared as a tongue of fire, which split itself into many individual flames above the heads of all those present. The Holy Spirit came upon these people and each began to speak in tongues. Despite the fact many had no common language, they were perfectly able to understand one another.

As disciples of Jesus today, we are called to use the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit in the best way possible, so that we can carry out God’s mission in our world today.

Gospel Reading: Jn 20:19-23

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

In the evening of the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.

‘As the Father sent me,

so am I sending you.’

After saying this he breathed on them and said:

‘Receive the Holy Spirit.

For those whose sins you forgive,

they are forgiven:

for those whose sins you retain,

they are retained.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Pentecost Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit

Make us Pentecost people.

Let your wisdom and right judgement

guide our decisions.

Let knowledge and understanding increase our capacity

for empathy and compassion.

Let reverence and awe fill us with

gratitude and respect for all of creation.

Give us the courage to give witness

to our faith in words and actions.

Amen

Sacramental Program- Term 2 First Eucharist

Eucharist Family Night

Last night we gathered with the First Eucharist children and their families for the First Eucharist Family Night. The session was led by Maria Forde, who is experienced with engaging families in preparation for the Sacrament of the Eucharist. There were discussions about the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, special times we have celebrated with our families, and how we can use our gifts to be like Christ in our homes, school, community and the world. It was fantastic seeing the children confidently answering questions and sharing their ideas throughout the session.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be celebrated at St Mark’s Church on Sunday 21st June at 10.00am. Please keep the children in your prayers as they continue preparations for this next step in their faith journey.

Saints Club News Term 2

Family Week at St Mark’s

Catholic Care Fundraiser

It was great seeing the excitement last week with members of our Junior Saints Club organising the lolly bags, which were sold last Friday. The final amount raised will be included in our next school newsletter.

Family Activity: It has been very pleasing seeing the very creative ‘In My House’ family activities being brought into school by the children. We look forward to displaying these in our school hall over the coming week.

Years 3- Years 6 - Outreach to Fawkner Kindergarten

Reflections by Students

On the 7th of May, we went to the kindergarten with Ben and Noah. We had lots of fun playing with the kinder kids. They were very excited that we were there. We made potato people, made puzzles and Noah even climbed through a little play tunnel! We visited the same kindergarten where we went when we were kinder kids. We thought it felt very different to when we were there as kinder kids. By Isaac and Oliver

We went to the kindergarten recently with Grace and we had an amazing time with the kinder kids. We met so many different personalities with different kids and we had so much fun. We played with the baby dolls, the bikes, playdough, barbies, the kitchen, the circus tent and Mr and Mrs. Potato Head, but most of all we had the most fun time of all with the kids! Thank you so much to everyone there and all the educators for inviting us!!!

By Zoe, Drishti and Alessia G

Dot Mash - RE Leader

Tues-Thurs

dorothy.mash@smfawkner.catholic.edu.au

Playgroup