OUR FAITH

PRAYER 

God our Father, hear our prayers for a truly fruitful Lent. May our efforts in prayer and our deeds of mercy lead us to renewal, reconciliation and Easter Joy. 

Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

We pray ...

for..... our school community as we continue to pray, give and reflect on our words and actions through the season of Lent, and for those who are undergoing and/or recovering from procedures and surgeries. 

LITURGY NEWS

This week we warmly welcome our new St Nicholas Assistant Parish Priest Father Antony Vattakkunnell.

Next Wednesday some of our Year 6 students will have the opportunity to attend Reconciliation. 

Family Masses

Our Family Masses have become an important part of our School culture over the past few years and these are usually held on the first Sunday of every month of the school term. Therefore our first Family Masses for this term will be held on Sunday 5th March (Kindergarten and Yr 6) and Sunday 2nd April (Yr 1 and Yr 5) at St Nicholas Church at 9.30a.m. These Masses are an opportunity for our School community to come together with our Parish Community to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word and to share a ‘cuppa ‘and morning tea afterwards. 

Project Compassion Boxes

Yesterday each family received a small Project Compassion box to keep in their home during Lent. We are particularly encouraged during Lent to give greater attention those who might be in need. 

One way we are able to do this as a Catholic Community is by supporting Project Compassion run by CARITAS Australia and over the next forty days of Lent we should be looking to make monetary contributions (big or small) to these boxes.

We are aware of many local families doing it tough given the current circumstances so prayers for those in need and random acts of kindness that don't cost money can be just as good as a monetary contribution!

GREEN DAY

SACRAMENTS

This year our Year 3 and Year 6 students will be involved in Sacramental Programs for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation respectively. These are important events in the life of our students, School and Parish and we look forward to sharing these occasions with our students. For new students enrolling at St Nicholas in 2023, if there is a Sacrament that they have missed receiving please contact Mrs Dunst as soon as possible  

The following dates have been set aside for these special events:

DATES FOR 2023 SACRAMENTS

First Reconciliation - Year 3 - Wednesday 7th June 2023

First Eucharist - Year 3 - Weekend of 17th/18th June 2023 (please note date changes)

Confirmation - Year 6 - Weekend of 9th/10th September 2023

Please mark these dates on your family calendar.

Advanced notice: First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (Year 3 students)

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation and program will begin early in Term 2 for our students and parents in Year 3. This will include a Parent Information and Enrolment Session at St Nicholas Church on Wednesday 29th March at 5.30pm or a repeat session on Saturday 1st April at 2.00pm. At least one parent is required to attend one of these sessions. 

ALTAR SERVERS

Training sessions for new altar servers will be provided. The training sessions will be conducted by Fr Chris and will be held on Thursday 23rd February at 4.00pm -5.00pm and Tuesday 28th February at 5.00 - 6.00pm at St Nicholas Church. 

Attending at least one training session is required.

The more we have volunteer, the lesser the load for all those who wish to serve and currently serve. 

St Nicholas Parish Masses are;

Saturday Evenings at 6.00pm at St Nicholas Church

Sunday Mornings at 7.30am at St Mary’s Church

Sunday Mornings at 9.30am at St Nicholas Church

Sunday Evenings at 5.30pm at St Nicholas Church

Notes are available from the office if your child has expressed interest in serving and has made their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist and did not receive a note.  Completed notes to be returned to Mrs Dunst.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Yesterday, Years 3 to 6 gathered in the undercroft for Mass to celebrate Ash Wednesday. The undercroft was transformed into a place of prayer where staff, students, parents, and friends joined together to mark the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent.  We thank Fr Chris for presiding over the mass. The students are to be commended on their reverence and participation throughout the Mass. Thank you also to the staff and students who helped prepare the sacred space. Our Infants students had the opportunity to participate in a liturgy in which they were very reverent and learned about Ash Wednesday. 

PRAYER CARDS

A Diocesan Prayer has been written and published. This afternoon each student will receive a printed version of the Diocesan Prayer to keep and pray at home.