Religious Education News

‘BE THE KINDNESS YOU WANT TO RECEIVE’

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday 12 May, 2019

Gospel of John 10: 27 - 30

‘I give my sheep eternal life’

Mother's Day Reflection

Thank you to our wonderful PA who put on such a lovely breakfast for the special women in our life. A huge thank you to our sensational Social Justice Liturgy Team who led our reflection today. Thank you for the time and effort you put into all our school Liturgies.

Kidsview Conference

Last Tuesday, May 7, our School Captains, SRC Leaders and Social Justice Liturgy Team Leaders attended the annual Kidsview Conference. The Kidsview Conference is a child friendly conference held by the Bahay Tuluyan Philippines Australia Inc. The conference is aimed at students, helping to make them aware of the lives of others in our world today, particularly in the Philippines. This year the theme, Rewrite the Stars, will be at the forefront of our Social Action Day.

Congratulations to our Year Six Leaders who attended this Conference and represented our school with pride. We thank them for their input and look forward to our Year Six students lead Social Action Day. Thank you to Lexie Hawken, Thomas LaFerlita, Grace Nailer and Olivia Cifone who wrote the following reflections on behalf of the Year Six Leaders who attended.

On Tuesday the 7th of May the School Captains, Social Justice Team and the SRC’s went to Saint Gregory the Great Primary School in Doncaster for the Kids View Conference. While we were there we learnt about the people in the Philippines and their day to day life. In one of the activities we got a new identity, so we could learn about their life and struggles. We were sorted into ether poor, wealthy or rich and we learnt if you were poor you didn’t really have any benefits or possibilities. After the day ended, I think we all felt very grateful for our wonderful lives were we can drink clean water, have a roof over our heads, food in our fridges, a safe home and most importantly a loving family.

Lexie Hawken

My character name was Ida. I was an eleven year old from Benin in West Africa. I speak French and love taking care of my little sister. My favourite food is pilipili and when I grow up I want to be a nurse.

This was just one of many interesting, interactive and fun activities that we participated in at the Kids View Conference which was held on Wednesday 7 May at St Gregory The Great in Doncaster.

The day focused on many Social Justice problems such as poverty, conflict and homelessness and allowed us to imagine ourselves in those situations.

I came away from the conference with a sense of gratitude for the house that I live in and the school that I go to. We are so fortunate to live in such a safe country like Australia.

Tom LaFerlita

On Tuesday the 7th of May 2019, The Social Justice Team,School Captains and SRC’s travelled with Holy Trinity to the Kids View Conference. It was held at St Gregory the Great Primary School in Doncaster.The theme this year was Reach for the Stars. Two people from the Philippines came to speak to us. Their names were Justin (age 19) and Donita (age 18). They did an amazing performance about their life in the Philippines and they did lots of fun activities with us. Overall the day was and amazing experience and I really enjoyed it.

Olivia Cifone

The Kids View Conference 2019 was a fun and educational experience. I learnt a lot about how children and adults who live in poverty make a change and the struggles they go through in everyday life. We learnt about how the world is not fair and how many people don’t have nearly as much as us. We played games that showed us what it’s like for people who live in poverty and have illnesses but do not have the access to hospitals medications like we do. The other game we played showed us what it is like for the parents who live in poverty, have children to look after, bills to pay and find a job even if they haven’t finished school. We watched a performance by two teenagers from the Philippines that showed the difficulties they have/had living in poverty and having very little. We read about children from all over the world who have made a small difference with a big impact. These kids have helped make the world a better place for everyone and everything. We then thought about what we could do for the world.

By Grace Nailer

Social Action Day

Each year, our two Parish schools come together to participate in Social Action Day. It is a day of awareness raising and fundraising. We make the time to reflect on the advantages that we have, living in Montmorency and consider the very different circumstances in which other people live their lives. We look at the theme of how we can ‘Be the Kindness we want to receive’, making it a better place for everyone, help make a difference even in small ways and that we all share a responsibility for caring for each other throughout our world.

Social Action Day this year is Thursday June 6. Our Year Six children will be working together and with the Year Six children from Holy Trinity to design the activities for the day. Our Year Prep to Two children will remain here at St Francis Xavier and work with our Year Six Leaders. The Year Three to Five children will will travel to Holy Trinity and work with their peers from Holy Trinity and the Senior school.

This is also one of our key fundraisers for our sister school Buhisan Elementary in the Philippines. We have an ongoing commitment to lend our financial support to the school as well as build a relationship with their school community. On this day we ask that children bring in a gold coin donation to support this worthwhile cause.

Reconciliation 2019

If you have not booked a session for Reconciliation for your child on trybooking, please do so. Use the link below to assist you.

Please only book one session for your child.

Please do not book for parents or family members to attend.

https://www.trybooking.com/BBEAM

Confirmation

The dates for the Sacrament of Confirmation will occur on August 22, 23 and 24. The planning and preparation for this celebration has already begun across the two schools and parish. Please note that we will be using trybooking for this occasion.

Once the bookings open

Please only book for your child.

Please do not book for parents or family members to attend.

One row will be allocated to each family.

More information to come this term.

Project Compassion

The Theme for this year is ‘Lives change when we all give 100%’. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Each classroom has been given a box to collect money this year for Project Compassion.

Class Masses

An important and much loved part of our RE Program at SFX has always been the Class Masses. The children enjoy being able to share this special celebration with their friends and family. Class Masses will be at 9.10am and will take place either in the classroom or the church.

We look forward to the Year Two Class Mass in Term Three on August 1.

Dates and times are as follows:

Class	Mass Dates and Times
Year 2	9.10am August 1
Preps	9.10am August 16 (Friday)
Year 3	9.10am August 29
Year 6	9.10am October 31

Important Dates - Term Two

Tuesday and Thursday 21, 23, 28, 30 May and 4 June – Sacrament of Reconciliation for all Year Three Students. Parents and children to attend one of the above dates

Thursday 6 June - Social Action Day. Year P - 2 and Year 6 @ SFX, Year 3 - 5 @ HT. SFX travelling to and from HT by bus shuttle.

Thursday 13 June - Holy Trinity Feast Day

Looking Ahead to Term Three

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July - Rite of Enrolment Masses for all Confirmation Candidates. Year Six students attend one of the Parish Masses: 6pm Saturday or 8.30am or 10.30am Sunday.

Thursday 25 July - Confirmation Faith Night. All Year Six student, parents and sponsors to attend in the Church @ 7.30pm

Thursday 1 August - Year Two JE and LA Class Mass 9.10am in the Church

NOTE CHANGE OF DAYS AND DATES: Monday 12 and Thursday 15 August - Confirmation Practice Days in SFX Hall. Thursday and Friday candidates practice on Monday 12 August and Saturday candidates practice Thursday 15 August.

Friday 16 August - Prep JS and AS Class Mass 9.10am in the Church (PLEASE NOTE: It is on a Friday)

Thursday 22 and Friday 23 August - Confirmation Celebrations in the Church @ 7.00pm

Saturday 24 August - Confirmation Celebrations in the Church @ 11am and 2.00pm.

Thursday 29 August - Year Three TH and LB Class Mass 9.10am in the Church

Adriana Bownds

Religious Education Leader (REL)

Reflection

No one can suggest it is always easy to follow the Gospel and hang in here with one another. Jesus was never under any illusions about what following his lead may cost, but he underlines how much we need each other to survive in this world.

Richard Leonard