Prayers and Acknowlegements
St Mel’s Primary School would like to acknowledge the Yorta YortaNation, whose clans include Bangerang (Pangerang) Kaitheban, Wollithiga, Moira, Ulupna, Kwat Kwat,
Yalaba Yalaba and Ngurai-illiam-wurrung, and pay our respects as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our school is situated.
The Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd 2023 theme, “Let the words you speak always be full of grace” which continues to draw on the 2022 theme of “Tell the Good News” in which we have been challenged to go out and share the good news of the Gospel. The beautiful theme comes from Colossians 4:6 and is drawn from a longer piece of scripture that encourages us to walk with wisdom and courage for the common good. When we speak our words have the power to break or connect communities. Pope Francis reflects on this Scripture through the concept of dialogue.
To let your speech be full of grace and seasoned with salt is to speak the truth in love, by being mindful that words have the power to break or connect communities. "If there is one word that we should never tire of repeating, it is this: dialogue. We are called to promote a culture of dialogue by every possible means and thus to rebuild the fabric of society.” Pope Francis- Address upon receiving the Charlemagne Prize, May 6, 2016
As we begin our new school year, we are reassured of God's presence every day. God lives in the hearts of our staff, students and families, inviting us to be God’s eyes, ears and voice.
May we accept the gift and speak God’s words to others.
May we also accept the gift of listening to others who speak God’s words to us.
Listening and speaking is called ‘dialogue.’
We grow as people of faith, hope and love when we share dialogue.
In 2023 “Let the words you speak always be full of grace.”
May 2023 be a year of grace for all of us as we grow and deepen our relationship with God. May we be in awe of the moments of grace we experience and may our students be inspired to get to know God through their encounters with us.--
Danae Napier
Deputy Principal / Religious Education Leader
St Mel’s Parish Prayer
God our Father,
Bless our Parish so that we may love you more. Encircle our families with your loving care. Help parents to be good examples to their children and our youth to grow in strength as good Christians.
To the sick, grant health.
To the aged, bring serenity and to those in sorrow, joy.
May we grow stronger in faith and may our love for one another become
deeper in our daily living.
Amen
St Mel's Parish Prayer
O Risen Christ, we rejoice in your resurrection and exult in your living presence.
Risen Christ, you come to transfigure our human nature.
Risen Christ, in you our resurrection has already begun.
Risen Christ, you fill our hearts with peace.
Risen Christ, your Spirit burns away our sadness.
Risen Christ, you come to gather us as one in your Body, the Church.
Risen Christ, from the waters of baptism you raise us up with you and renew your gift of life within us. Help us to grow as your people towards the fullness of life and love. Kindle in us the fire of your love.
Child Safe Commitment:
All students enrolled, and any child visiting St Mel’s, have a right to feel safe and be safe. The wellbeing of children in our care will always be our first priority and we have zero tolerance to child abuse. We aim to create a child safe and child friendly environment where children feel safe and are free to enjoy life to the full without any concern for their safety.