Education in Faith

Whole School Masses - Term 1

This term, we have two more Whole School Masses planned. The times and dates are as follows:

Ash Wednesday Mass - Wednesday 18th February @ 2.15pm

Closing of Term One Mass - Friday 27th March @ 9.00am

Family and friends are more than welcome to join the students and staff at any of these Masses, which will be held in the OHR Church.

Together at One Altar (https://www.togetheratonealtar.catholic.edu.au) a resource from the National Catholic Education Commission has drawn on Church documents when describing the Mass as having many purposes, some of which are outlined below.

Burning of the Palms

On Tuesday 17th February at 2.45pm, Father Sang/Father Ian will lead all our students in a palm burning ceremony outside the Church in preparation for Ash Wednesday. Using ashes obtained by burning palms from the previous Passion Sunday provides a wonderful life-death-life symbol of the paschal mystery to explore. The palms are a symbol of Christ our triumphant king (life); that triumph turns to ashes at the crucifixion (death); being marked with those ashes signifies our commitment to journey to the font at Easter (life). Everybody is most welcome to come along. Students will be marked with these ashes at our Ash Wednesday Mass. This will occur on Thursday for our Prep students as they are still having Wednesday as a rest day.

Project Compassion

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. The theme for this year’s appeal is Unite Against Poverty.

During Lent our RE Year 5/6 Student Leadership Team will be selling Zooper Dooper icy poles for 50c after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 - 3:30pm at the tuckshop window. This will start on Thursday 19th February. All money raised will be donated to Project Compassion. If anybody would like to donate a pack (or more) of Zooper Doopers please bring them to the office. We can look after the freezing for you‼

Rite of Christian Initiation of Children

Invitation for Primary School Families. Does your child want to become a Catholic?

The parish is offering a Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) for primary school–aged children. See flyer below.

RCIC 2026

Sacramental Dates for 2026

Please see the letter from the Parish linked below in regards to Sacramental dates for 2026. Further details can be found on the Parish website.

OHR Sacramental Dates 2026

Nick Byrne

RE Leader

RE Learning in 5/6KM

In 5/6 KM we have been learning about what God is like and the names that He is called in the Bible. Some of the names include El Shabbai (Almighty God) Adoni (Lord/Master), Yahweh (Lord), Elohim (God/Creator), Jesus, God, Lord and Father.

The name Yahweh/Lord is used in the bible 6828 times.

We have been reading Exodus 3:1-15 to learn how God revealed himself to Moses. God took the form of a burning bush, He did this to show his power. In the scripture we discovered that God introduced himself in many ways

The Lord
The God of your ancestors
The God of Isaac, Abraham and Jacob
A god who rescues
A god who sees his people
A god who knows his people
A god who cares for his peoples suffering

In Exodus 3:14, Moses asked God to say who was sending him, God replied “I am who I am” . This verse tells us that God IS. God is one God, eternal, everlasting, all knowing and all powerful. He is in control of the universe.

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 Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish them but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.

‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.

‘You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.

‘It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever felt angry with someone?

2. Is it easy to make peace after you have had an argument or a fight?

3. Do you feel happy or sad after an argument?

4. Do you feel better after you make peace?

Jesus tells us to make peace with other people before we offer gifts to God. This can be difficult but God will help us. Praying for someone who has hurt us is a good step to take in making peace with them.