RENews
St Raphael’s Community of Unity
Welcome to 2018.
Dear Parents
This year we continue to look forward to sharing in a Faith filled journey. A journey that is made new not only by the beginning of the New Year, but made new by the presence we bring to it. A journey that for many different reasons has joined us together and has made us a part of this wonderful community. With God’s love let us share many memorable moments together.
We warmly welcome our Parish Priest Father Simon to the Parish. It was a special occasion to be a part of Fr Simon’s Installation, ‘Key to the Parish’ and we look forward to Fr Simon engage with the staff, children and parents throughout the year. We especially look forward to Fr Simon celebrating mass with us.
As Religious Education Leader I look forward to continuing my work this year, to ensure that we at St Raphael provide an engaging religious education and experiences for the children. I look forward to closely working with Fr Simon, our Principal Mr Damian Howard, staff, children and families to build upon our Catholic identity.
Throughout the year there are many events and celebrations scheduled. Please refer to the school calendar for special feast days and sacraments. Level mass will occur once a term for each level. All are most welcome to come and join us in these special celebrations.
Lenten Season
We began the Lenten Season on Wednesday 14th February, as we gathered together as a school and parish to celebrate Ash Wednesday and the Opening School Mass. It was wonderful to see the children participating in the liturgy and singing beautifully. It was also wonderful to share this occasion with parents, grandparents, extended family and parishioners.
We welcomed Fr Simon, new families to our school and their was the Commissioning of the teachers. As staff members at St Raphael Parish Primary School we accepted the calling to engage in the teaching ministry of Jesus, accepted the call of the Church to take an active part in the education of the children of this parish community, to do our best to live out the example of Jesus in our daily lives and strive to follow and foster the teachings of Jesus and build up the kingdom of God.
Prayer, Fasting and Good Deeds
During Lent there are many things you can do with your children to support what they are doing at school. Across the school students have learnt about Jesus’ time in the desert. Jesus was not only tempted by the devil in the desert; throughout his ministry he was constantly tempted to compromise his mission.
In our world today, we can also be tempted to be distracted by the messages we receive to have more, to want power, to be noticed. Lent is a great time to take some time to reflect on our lives and think about which one of these is a distraction for us and keeps us from building God’s kingdom:
Lent is an opportunity to change the way we live for the better – for ourselves and how we live in right relationships with others.
Live each day fully by being present at each moment.
Encourage and affirm the efforts and talents of others.
Notice the presence of God in the natural world and in others around you.
Talk to God every day in order to build a closer relationship.
Project Compassion 2018
Each family has received a family Project Compassion Box for 2018.
Over the forty days of Lent we are asked to do three special things: fast, pray and give.
This box will give you an opportunity to raise money for Caritas, who support communities in need around the world. The theme of Project Compassion for 2018 is ‘For a Just Future’. Please go to the following website to have a look at the number of projects Caritas currently run and support:http://www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion.
Please send your Project Compassion box and money to your child’s homeroom teacher in the first week back of Term Two (between April 16th and April 20th )
Thank you for your support.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Over the past weeks the Confirmation Candidates have been preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They have identified the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit and studied the Apostles Creed prayer. The candidates have chosen a saint to which they resonate with and reflects the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was wonderful to see all Candidates with their families participate in the initiation mass. Blessing and presenting the children to the parish community was a joyous occasion.
Bishop Curtain Visit
On Monday the 5th March, the Confirmation Candidates spent time chatting to Bishop Curtain (celebrant) about the significance of this special sacrament and the Bishop had an opportunity to get to know the students. It was a beautiful experience for all involved.
Confirmation Retreat Day
Last Thursday, the Year 6 students attended a Retreat Day in preparation for their Confirmation. They attended the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre where they were immersed in the story and life of Australia’s first saint - St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The students also attended Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne.
The Year 6 Confirmation candidates spent time reflecting on their up and coming sacrament, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in which they possess.
We wish the Confirmation candidates all the best in the rest of their preparation for this important sacrament.
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Saturday the 17th March at 2pm and 4pm at St Raphael's Parish Church. All are most welcome to join us for this special occasion.
Acceptance
As we begin the term with the School Value of Acceptance, we ask the Lord, to guide, protect and strength us each and everyday.
As we begin this school year, let us pray:
Open our minds to know, think and understand.
Open our minds, Lord.
Open our hearts to love, appreciate and welcome.
Open our hearts, Lord.
Open our hands to serve, create and lead.
Open our hands, Lord.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, our friend and teacher.
Amen.