Catholic Identity

Dear Families,

Let us Pray….

A huge welcome to all, once again.  We continue to look forward to partnering with our families and parish community for a year of safe, respectful learning.  

As we actively build on the wonderful partnerships between School and Parish, with the leadership of our Parish Priest, Father John Paul and our Principal, Pauline Hindson.   Our first school Mass is on Sunday 20th March - mark this day in your diary - so come help celebrate Mass with our School & Parish community.

This week’s Gospel  -  Luke 6:27-37

Be merciful as your Father is merciful.

​Jesus said to his disciples:

"This is what I say to all who will listen to me:

Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you.

Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you.

If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek.

If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt.

Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you.

Treat others just as you want to be treated.

"If you love only someone who loves you, will God praise you for that?

Even sinners love people who love them. If you are kind only to someone who is kind to you, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners are kind to people who are kind to them.

If you lend money only to someone you think will pay you back, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners lend to sinners because they think they will get it all back.

"But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back.

Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven.

He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel. Have pity on others, just as your Father has pity on you. "Don't judge others, and God will not judge you. Don't be hard on others,

and God will not be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you."

Reflecting on the Gospel Story….                                 

The kingdom God wants is a kingdom of love, compassion, forgiveness and generosity.

This is quite different from the world we live in. So what needs to change?

Imagine that you are in charge of the world. What would it look like? How would people treat each other?

​Would there be any people living in poverty? What would the environment look like?

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) – Tuesday 1st March

Shrove Tuesday comes from the custom of ringing the Shriving Bell to summon people to Church to be “shriven” that is to confess their sins at the beginning of Lent. At that time certain foods were given up for the duration of Lent. Those foods included egg, milk, meat and rich buttery dishes. So on Shrove Tuesday they used up these foods. It is from this that the tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday began. 

Grades will be making pancakes in their class groups. 

**Please donate a pancake mix (shake in a bottle ) for your child's class.**

*Gluten Free pancakes will be available for students with specific gluten allergies.

Gold coin/s donation can be made per student / family on the day to Caritas

Project Compassion

This year we would like to again call our school families to action.  Many students do jobs at home for pocket money which is a great way to build responsibility and cooperation in their home.  We would like to work with this idea and ask each student to do a job at home each day of Week 7. At the end of Week 7, the students would get paid a small value decided by the parent/guardian for their hard work but instead of putting the gold coin in their own money box at home, we would like them to bring it to school and put it in their classroom Project Compassion box.  Each class will keep a tally of how much they raise. 

In doing this, the fundraising effort is more aligned with the meaning of our Lenten season and less about fundraising by getting something yummy in return. 

In classes teachers will be sharing information and building student understandings of Lent and Project Compassion as we journey together toward Easter.

Ash Wednesday Mass – Wednesday 2nd March 9:15am  Grade 3/4

The Church, from its earliest times, prepares for Easter by inviting all people to examine their hearts carefully by praying, fasting and giving to others during Lent.  Lent begins on Wednesday 2nd March with the marking of ashes.  This sign reminds us to live the way Jesus wants. It is the beginning of our preparation for Easter when Jesus dies on the cross and rises from the dead. 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. 

Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving we take the focus from ourselves and instead focus on our relationship with God. We also think about giving all of ourselves to be God’s love and mercy in our world as we look to go further together this Lent. 

At Mass on Wednesday, the year 3/4s will have a cross marked on their foreheads with ashes by Father John. The ashes used come from the branches used in last year’s Palm Sunday ceremonies. These branches were burnt and the ashes stored ready to use this year.   Students in F-2 & 5/6 will also receive the cross marked on their foreheads with ashes in liturgies in their classrooms throughout the day.

More information to follow.

Resource:  LENT 2022 WITH THE CATHOLIC GUY BRUCE DOWNES

Be inspired, Be refreshed, Be renewed!

For 40 days you will receive a short, practical and inspiring video in your inbox every morning to help you make this Lenten journey more powerful and prayerful. 

This program is FREE and you can sign up here:  

DATES FOR TERM 1

Parish - School Mass - Children

The first School Mass for 2022 will be held on Sunday March 20th at 10am.                      This is a great opportunity for families to celebrate Mass with Fr John; the school community and Parish community.                                                                                              

We are looking for students to participate in this Mass:                                                               

* taking up the Gospel & Message Stick                                                                                     

* taking up the Gifts                                                                                                                             

* Prayers of the Faithful 

Please let your child’s class teacher or myself if you would like your child(ren) to be a part of this Mass. 

Mrs Nihill and the school choir will also be there to help us celebrate Mass and lead the singing. 

ALL WELCOME --- PLEASE COME ALONG AND HELP US CELEBRATE! 

Morning Tea will be held in the St. Mary's Hall after Mass.  Please bring a plate to share. 

**SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR 2022** PLEASE SEE THE ENROLMENT FORM FOR DETAILS. IF YOUR CHILD IS IN GRADES 3-6 PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE PART OF THIS PROGRAM FOR 2022. PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU REQUIRE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION AT THE SCHOOL.

Prayer for this week

Have a great week!

Debbie Turvey

RE Leader