Religious Education

This week we heard of the very sad news that Pope has passed away after a long illness. I thought, how wonderful to die at Easter just as Christ did on Good Friday before he rose to new life on Easter Sunday. At Easter Jesus shares this new life with us, and we are full of joy and hope. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday — a day enveloped by the light of the Resurrection. A shepherd with a heart for the lost, a voice for the marginalized, and a tireless advocate for a missionary Church, Pope Francis dedicated his life to making the love of Christ known to all.

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He felt the call of God and was ordained a Jesuit priest on December 13, 1969. He was elected pope on March 13, 2013.

In Rome, Pope Francis, or Francisco, was known as il Papa, which means Father. The pope is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. He lives in Vatican City, which is a municipality inside the city of Rome. In his time as pope, Francis shared a vision of Church that emphasizes hope, mercy, and care for each other. Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope. He entered eternal life on April 21, 2025.

As the world mourns his passing, Pope Francis’ legacy will be remembered as one that brought the Church closer to its mission of love, mercy and justice.

Pope Francis was a passionate advocate of children and young people calling them the ‘joy and hope of the Church and the world!’ 

Pope Francis said that his own life story was a journey of hope. He understood that in a world that can feel scary or divided, God’s love and the hope it brings is needed more than ever. As we all know, he made hope the theme of this Jubilee Year. Pope Francis has inspired us all to work for a better world.

May we continue his legacy by bringing peace, love, compassion and mercy to all those we meet.

PRAYER

Loving God, 

We pray that we may be Easter people who bring your life and love to all those we meet. May we be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ through the loving kindness we offer each other. We thank you for the gift of Jesus and the new life he has given us.

May we be inspired to live out this new life by being people of hope, people of joy and people of peace.

This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Some Facts

Name: Jorge Mario Bergoglio

Born: December 17, 1936

Where: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Family: He was the eldest of five children, 

born to Italian emigrants who settled in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Ordained: December 13, 1969

Order: the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits

Became Pope: March 13, 2013

Entered Eternal Life: April 21, 2025

Things to Know:

• He chose the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, who is known for his care for the poor.
• His favorite soccer team was the San Lorenzo de Almagro football club.
• He once worked as a bar bouncer and a janitor before joining the Jesuits.

Welcome Back to Term 2! Although we started with a short week, we certainly did jam a whole lot into 3 days starting with our Alleluia Liturgy on Tuesday.  Through the resurrection. we celebrate that Jesus, who was dead, now lives again! We celebrate his risen life, his new life, our new life. We celebrate that we can rise from the pain, hurt and suffering that we experience, and, with the love and comfort of our God, we can find new life, new beginnings, new purpose. At Easter Jesus shares his new life with us, and we are full of joy and hope. 

  On Thursday we celebrated our school's 60th Birthday on the Feast of St Louis de Montfort. (Officially on Mon 28th April) Father Andrew led us in a lovely mass commemorating 60 Years of St Louis' School. 

Father Andrew also blessed our Jubilee Year Commemorative crosses that were given to each class as a momento of our 60th birthday.  

As we celebrate St Louis de Montfort’s  school’s 60th Anniversary, may we embrace the cross as a symbol of our love and devotion to Christ.

OUR HISTORY

During the late 1950s the Catholic population of Aspendale sought to celebrate Mass locally, initially at Martin’s Dance Hall opposite Aspendale Station. When the hall was sold, Mass was celebrated in the old Scout Hall at Regents Park. In 1961 the current Catholic school and church site was purchased, with the school opening in 1965.

Aspendale was part of the Parish of St. Brigid’s, Mordialloc.Parishioners asked the Parish Priest, Father J. English, to celebrate Mass in Aspendale.

• 1959 Mass celebrated at Martin’s Dance Hall (opposite the Aspendale Station) by Father. J.J. Byrne from Mordialloc Presbytery.
• Father English purchased the 8.5 acres site in Dolphin Street, Aspendale for $36,000. St. Louis Church and School buildings were commenced.
• 1963 Martin’s Dance Hall was sold and demolished. Mass was then celebrated in the old Scout Hall in Regent’s Park.
• 1964 St. Louis classrooms were built and Mass was celebrated there, initially in incomplete and unused classrooms then in the school corridor.
• 1965 St. Louis de Montfort School opened with 85 students in grades prep, 1,2 and 3. Brigidine sisters in charge of school from 1965-1984. An extra class was added each year thereafter.
• 1970 Presbytery at 17 Dolphin Street was purchased on 20th March. New Church / Assembly Hall built and conversion of Chapel into 2 classrooms.
• 1971 First Parish Priest, Father G. Briglia, was appointed. Multi-purpose room built behind Church.
• 1974 Father Anthony Eames appointed Parish Priest.
• 1975 Tennis Club formed (Multi-purpose room used as Clubroom).
• 1979 school yard filled to form the school oval and play areas. Bike Shed built.
• 1980 Father John Woodcock appointed Parish Priest.
• 1981 Two more classrooms added. Portable classroom (placed at side initially then moved to back of school).
• 1984 Multi purpose room extension to include Art room. Double portable purchased and placed in front of school. Mrs Jane Flannery appointed as first lay Principal.
• 1986 Classrooms converted to an office, staffroom and library.
• 1989 Bike path completed at side of school.
• 1990 Father Pat Purcell appointed Parish Administrator. (Fr. Woodcock ill).
• 1991 Father Peter Waters appointed Parish Administrator. Mr Chris Dickinson appointed Principal.
• 1992 Father Bill Gill appointed Parish Priest. Adventure Playground built.
• 1996 New School Offices and Teacher Resource Room built. Library extended. Old School Offices converted to Staffroom. Double portable classroom purchased. Pastoral Leader, Terry Curtin, appointed as Parish Leader.
• 1998 Official Opening and Blessing of Church and School extensions by Archbishop George Pell. Double portable classroom / Art Room purchased.
• 2000 Mr James Whelan appointed Acting Principal for 12 months.
• Father Michael Quigley appointed Parish Priest of Aspendale and Mordialloc parishes.
• 2001 Mr Tom Lindeman appointed Principal.
• 2002 Additional single portable classroom on loan from CEO.
• 2003 Major building program to demolish and rebuild toilet block, extend staffroom, erect new covered walkway to link external classrooms, build a new modular classroom block comprising 4 classrooms and multi-purpose room, upgrade electricity supply, replace drainage infrastructure, extend asphalt carpark and relocate basketball courts.
• 2004 Official Opening and Blessing of School extension and renovations by Archbishop Denis Hart.
• 2007 school enrolment 600
• 2008 school enrolments 635
• 2009 school enrolments 687 with 25 classes. Hall/gym built and library extended
• 2011 school enrolment 705 and 26 classes. Father Andrew Jekot was appointed parish priest  
• 2014 school enrolment 760 and 28 classes
• 2015 School celebrated 50 years
• 2017 Enrolments drop to 724
• 2019 Performing Arts Centre and the New learning centre were opened. Mr Tom Lindeman retired after 19 years as principal of St Louis
• 2020 Ms Carmel Stutterd appointed Principal and started in term 4

REMINDER- First Eucharist Family Night -Thursday 1st May -5pm/6.30pm in the Church

Important Dates.      

(** All Dates subject to change!)

Thurs 1st May- Yr 4 Eucharist Family Night

Tues 6th/Tues 13th May-  Yr 4 Eucharist Journey Masses

Thurs 8th May- Mother's day Mass-9.15am in the school hall

Sun 18th May- First Eucharist Masses to be held at St Brigid's Church 1pm /2.30pm

Sat 30/ Sun 1st June- Yr 6 Confirmation Commitment Masses

Sat 14/Sun 15th June- Yr 5 Family Masses

Thurs 26th June- Feast of the Sacred Heart- Whole School Mass-9.15am in the  hall

Tues 22/Thurs 24 July- Yr 6 Confirmation Journey Masses

Sun 3 Aug- Yr 6 Confirmation to be held at St Brigid's Church 1pm/3.00pm

Fri 8th Aug- Feast of St Mary of the Cross

Fri 15th Aug- Feast of the Assumption- Whole School Mass-9.15am in the  hall

Sat 16/Sun 17th Aug- Year 1 Level Masses

Sat 23/Sun 24th Aug- Year 3 Reconciliation Commitment Masses

Thurs 18th Sept- Yr 3 Reconciliation Journey Mass

Wed Oct 15th -Yr 3 Sacrament of Reconciliation

Sat 25th/Sun 26th Oct - Year 2 Family Level Masses

Sun 1st Dec- Advent Begins

Tues 16th Dec- End of Year Mass-Whole School Mass-9.15am in the  hall