Education in Faith

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

Once again a big thank you to the Mini Vinnies for giving up their lunchtime to collect and count the money donated to Project Compassion. They have been such an enthusiastic group of students! I am so proud of them!!!

What a fantastic effort by everyone!! The total amount SFS Community has collected is $538.65!!! The results for the end of Project Compassion are:

1st              Patrick                $ 209.50

2nd             MacKillop         $ 126.50

3rd              Bosco                 $ 107.55

4th              Teresa                $    95.10

Thank you to everyone for their contributions and support! A big thank you to all the families who were able to take Project Compassion boxes home. 

Remember this is only the beginning of the House Competition for the Community Spirit Award shield. We will have many more competitions where Houses will get a chance to earn points towards the shield. The winner of this particular shield will be announced at the end of the year.

ANZAC DAY BADGES

On the 25th of April is Anzac Day. Mini Vinnies are currently selling Anzac Badges for a gold donation. They have been selling them before and after school as well at eating time during 1st and 2nd lunch. We will continue to sell the badges in week 1 of Term 2. Thank you to all the people who have supported us so far.

Giuliana and SFS Mini Vinnies

Holy Week

The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, Holy Week, is the most sacred time of year in the Catholic Church. During this special time, we enter into the passion of Christ, his crucifixion, death and resurrection. While the season of Lent is a very important time in the Church, it is helpful to remember that our Lenten practices (prayer, fasting and almsgiving) are meant as preparation for the three days of the Triduum.

What Is the Triduum?

The three days of the Triduum are counted as the Hebrews counted their days, from dusk to dusk. Lent officially ends and the Triduum begins at dusk on Holy Thursday  and continues through dusk on Easter Sunday. Because we cannot separate Jesus’ death from his resurrection, the Church teaches that the Triduum is really one celebration that lasts for three days. However, in the liturgy, each day has its unique qualities and different focuses.

Holy Thursday

So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?” ~ John 13:12

The Vigil Mass on Holy Thursday begins the Sacred Triduum. On this night we  remember the Last Supper and celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. At the end of the liturgy, the sanctuary is stripped clean in preparation for the most somber of feasts, Good Friday.

 Family Faith Discussion: Talk about how Jesus is really present in holy Communion and how sharing in his body strengthens us to become the Body of Christ and to follow him each day.

Good Friday

He said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. ~ John 19:30

Good Friday is a somber remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. It is a day of fasting and penance and a time to examine  all of the places in our lives where we fail to follow Christ and fall into sin. Good Friday is not merely a commemoration of a historical event; rather, Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, along with his glorious resurrection, comprise the heart of the Christian faith.

Good Friday is not a Mass; holy Communion that is distributed had been consecrated on Holy Thursday and kept in the tabernacle for adoration. Also, many parishes offer Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.

Family Faith Discussion: Pray the Lord’s Prayer at bedtime on this night in remembrance of Christ’s gift for all of salvation.

Easter Vigil

Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there. ~ John 19:41-42

The Easter Vigil is the restoration of the early Church’s tradition as the great celebration of adult baptism and confirmation. It is the high point in the liturgical year. The vigil begins in darkness (usually outside) and the long procession of candlelight that enlivens the church reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world who has conquered all darkness and death. The Paschal candle that is lit at the Easter Vigil will remain in the church throughout the year as a sign of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Family Faith Discussion: During the day on Holy Saturday, spend some time as a family talking about the Paschal Mystery — Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection. Take a walk around your neighborhood looking for signs of new life in springtime. Talk about how Jesus rising to new life is truly transformative and life-changing.

Easter Sunday

Celebrate the risen Lord at Mass with the singing of the Gloria and alleluias, the  renewal of baptismal vows, a sprinkling with Easter water and receiving the Eucharist. The time you spend on your Holy Week preparations will make Easter Sunday more meaningful for the whole family!

3 Simple Ways to Celebrate Holy Week

Give yourself (and your family) the gift of quiet time for prayer and reflection in front of your home altar early in the morning or late at night.

Move your crucifix to the front door (or the door you use most) as a remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

During Holy Week, turn off your car radio and pray silently while driving.

Gospel Summary

Upon seeing that the stone had been removed from the tomb, Mary of Magdala ran to Simon Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved. She told them that the Lord had been taken from the tomb. Peter and the other disciple ran to see for themselves. The burial cloths were there, but the body of Jesus was gone. The disciple whom Jesus loved believed, even though neither Peter nor he understood the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

Discussion Starters

1. My favorite Easter symbol is ... because...

2. Mary Magdalene recognized Jesus' voice when he called her name. One time I  

    know Jesus called my name when...

3. Someone I will share the Good News of Easter with is ... because ...

Thank you

We greatly appreciate Fr. Anil’s gesture when he visited our children last Monday to talk to our children about their Frist Reconciliation by. He blessed the Rosary beads for our children which were presented to the children last Friday at assembly. 

Sacramental Dates for 2021

Please take note of the Workshop sessions and dates for First Eucharist workshop and Sacrament and Confirmation Workshop and Sacrament.

Sacrament Levy

A gentle reminder to remember to pay the Sacrament Levy ($15) for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.

Holy Week Liturgies

Thank you to all Home group teachers for organising Liturgies for Holy week within their Learning Spaces. 

Each liturgy was carefully and meticulously planned. They were prayerful, meaningful and motivated our children to remember the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The children were very respectful and reverent when they presented themselves for the liturgies.

A special thank you to Kristy for organising and setting up the sound system for our liturgies.

Palm Sunday

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

God Bless you and your families. Have a Holy and blessed Easter.

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au