Education in Faith

Ash Wednesday and Lent

On Wednesday February 26th, we gathered as a school for the Ash Wednesday Mass at Sts Peter and Paul’s. It was prepared by our Year 5 students and teachers. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and the mass was a wonderful occasion to stop and reflect. We would like to thank everyone in our school community who joined us. During the mass, everyone was invited to receive the ashes, a sign to remind us to live the way Jesus wants.

Lent is the season for preparing for Easter, (where we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, his passion, crucifixion and look towards his resurrection.) Lent is a special time when we stop and think about how we can play our part in God’s hope for a world that is fair, just and peaceful. We think about our relationship with God, and how through serving others, we can grow closer to him. We also think about the changes we can make in our lives, to be God’s love and mercy in our world, ensuring all people have a just future. During Lent we are asked to think about how we follow Jesus’ teachings in our everyday lives and where we need to change our ways, and ask for forgiveness.

During Lent we will be collecting food for the Friar’s kitchen located behind the Sts Peter and Paul Friary. The kitchen feeds many people in our South Melbourne community with warm home cooked dinners, morning teas and the Friar's Van feeds the less privileged in Fitzroy Street, just to name a few. Please send your donations to school and place them in the tubs outside the school hall. We thank you in advance for your generous donations of non-perishable foods.

Lent-Project Compassion

This year, we will once again be participating in Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal, Project Compassion. We will be raising much needed funds and awareness for the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. This year the theme of Project Compassion is 'Go Further Together' and how lives change when we all work together. Through your generosity during Project Compassion this year, you are empowering people to build a just future for themselves, their families and their communities.

This week's story is about Shirley and how Caritas assists her, her family and her community.

https://lent.caritas.org.au/page/week-1

Each classroom has a Caritas Project Compassion Box. We ask that your child brings along any coins/notes to donate to Project Compassion. We will be collecting money throughout Lent. On the last day of Term One we will send all donated money to Caritas Australia. Thank you for your support.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the Sacraments of healing and restoration. It celebrates the endlessly forgiving mercy of God and the change of heart of all those who turn back to God after sin. Many of our Year 3 students will be in the process of enrolling to make their First Reconciliation later this term. The dates for preparation and the celebrations for Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC), Middle Park and StsPP, South Melbourne are as follows:

• Thursday 27 February – 3:40-4:15pm - StsPP Preparation Session #2 in the parish hall
• Saturday 29 February - 4.30pm Preparation Session #3 in the O’Connor/Pilkington Rooms followed by 6.00pm Mass Ritual at OLMC
• Saturday 7 March - 4.30pm Preparation Session #4 in the O’Connor/Pilkington rooms followed by 6.00pm Mass Ritual at OLMC
• Thursday 12 March – 3:40-4:15pm - StsPP Preparation Session #4 in the parish hall
• Monday 16th March - Reflection Day at Galilee School - 8.50 - 3.25pm
• Wednesday 18 March - 7.00pm - Sacrament of Reconciliation OLMC
• Thursday 26 March - 6:00pm-Sacrament of Reconciliation-SPP

A Prayer for our Reconciliation Candidates

Loving God help us to teach our children that you love totally and unconditionally. Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to take responsibility for their words and actions, knowing that you always forgive. Assist us to pray with our children and to share our faith with them as we journey together. Guide us as we model your love in the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Enrolment Forms OLMC-Confirmation and Eucharist

Above are the OLMC enrolment forms For Confirmation (Term Two) and Eucharist (Term Three) 

Upcoming Dates

17 March: St Patrick’s Day at the Cathedral (School Captains with SJ leaders) - all day

25 March: Stations of the Cross - Galilee: 2:30pm (Assembly) - (All grades)

ECSI Survey

Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey.

All families will be invited through Care monkey to participate in the ECSI survey which will assist us in better understanding how our Catholic Identity is expressed in our work and practice here at Galilee.

The Catholic University in Leuven, was commissioned by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) to design a process and tools, based on sound research, to accomplish the goal of understanding our current Catholic identity and where the school community might like to see itself in the future.

The ECSI survey is a key element in this process.  The online survey gathers responses from students in Years 5 and 6, all Galilee school staff, and a representative sample of parents.

You will be asked to complete the survey online; it may take you up to an hour to do so and can be completed in more than one seating.

Many thanks in advance for your support of Religious Education at Galilee.

Inspiration

Matthew 3:13-17  (NIV)

The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

After His baptism of water and fire, Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and nights. (Lent)

Baptism represents dying to the old and coming out of the water anew. You might like to discuss as a family how you can follow in Jesus' footsteps this Lent dying to old ways and walking in new ones.

Helen Rochecouste