Education in Faith News 

Opening of the School Year Mass

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Opening School Year Mass on Tuesday. It was heartening to see such a wonderful turnout, from our new Prep families to our Year 6 school leaders, as well as families from across all year levels.

Ash Wednesday - Lent

Next Wednesday, 18 February, we celebrate Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of the Catholic Church’s season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance in preparation for Easter. 

During this solemn day, Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross, symbolizing mortality and repentance, with the reminder, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." It is also a day of fasting and abstinence, where Catholics reflect on their relationship with God and commit to spiritual renewal. 

While not a holy day of obligation, many attend services to begin Lent with humility and a renewed focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For the St John’s School community, mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 12pm in the church, where the blessed Ashes will be distributed. Parents are most welcome to attend. 

Lent - Project Compassion launch  

This Lent, our school community is invited to be a part of something incredible. Once  again, we are called to stand hand in hand with thousands of others across the country and Unite Against Poverty by supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. 

Last year, our school was a part of a nationwide movement that raised over $10 million to bring opportunity and change to vulnerable communities across the world. This year, with your support, we hope to have an even greater impact. 

By taking home a Project Compassion donation box this year, you’ll be answering the Gospels’ call to care for our global family and walk alongside the most vulnerable. Your generosity will enable Caritas Australia to provide life-changing support to communities facing poverty, food insecurity, lack of education and water shortages, while building resilience against future challenges.

Together, through faith and action, we can bring hope and opportunity to those most in need. 

Caritas Fundraiser 

Icy treats are back on Fridays - Fruit juice tubes will be available for purchase each Friday for Term 1, commencing next week. If a child would like an icy treat, they are asked to bring $1 to school on Fridays.  All funds raised will be passed on to Caritas Australia.

Sacrament Dates

First Eucharist   

• Presentation Parish masses - weekend of 28 /29 March @ 6pm, 8:30am or 10:30am 
• Family Faith Formation evening - Tuesday 5 May @ 6pm
• Sacrament celebration - Sunday 17 May 1pm (4D) & 3pm (4BT)

Confirmation  

• Commitment Parish masses - weekend of 13 /14 June @ 6pm, 8:30am or 10:30am 
• Family Faith Formation - Wednesday 5 August @ 6pm
• Sacrament Celebration - Friday 28 August @ 6pm held at Mary Immaculate Ivanhoe

Reconciliation 

• Presentation at Parish mass - Thursday 30 July @ 9:15am
• Family Faith Formation - Wednesday 9 September @ 6pm
• Sacrament - Thursday 15th October @ 6pm