Our Catholic Community
200 Years of Catholic Education - Faith in the Future
Last week, May 24-28, St Philomena's celebrated Catholic Schools Week.
The Year 10 student leaders attended Mass at Sts Mary and Joseph Cathedral in Armidale for Mary Help of Christians and 200 years of Catholic Education.
Day of Celebration - 200 Years of Catholic Education
On Friday last week, our K-10 students experienced school life from the past. Leaders of Learning dressed in historical clothing, we played historical games and it was a tech-free day.
During the historical games, students made the number 200 for an aerial photograph.
It was a fabulously fun day and a wonderful celebration of 200 years of Catholic Education.
not-so-mini Vinnies
Secondary students have been busy planning activities, events and fundraisers for us to support the St Vincent de Paul Winter appeal. Running from Week 7 Term 2 and Week 7 Term 3 students will be selling warm milo on Thursday and Friday morning from the BBQ hut and Bacon and Egg Rolls on Friday (pre-order only on the Qkr app).
On Friday 18th June we will have a #dressedbyvinnies day. Students are invited wear blue and white, bring a gold coin donation for being out of uniform, and gold coins to 'wrap' teachers in tape.
We will be celebrating our first Youth Mass on Friday 18th June. After mass, secondary students are invited to come over to school for pizza and a movie.
Mini Vinnies - Update
Students in Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5 are invited to take part in some exciting Mini Vinnies Initiatives. These initiatives are designed so the students can have an opportunity to live our Catholic Principles and Values as Stewards of Gods Creation and reaching out to others through the Common Good, with a Preferential Option for the Poor.
The Crochet Crew meets in the MacKillop Room during lunchtime on Wednesdays and Thursdays to crochet granny squares. These granny squares will be joined together, making unique and cosy rugs which we will donate to Vinnies for their winter appeal. No crochet experience is necessary and all material will be supplied. Crochet Crew is ideal for students in Stage 2 and above.
The Green Team have a focus on caring for our immediate environment. Green Team meet during lunch time, every Tuesday, and focus our energy and attention on one area of the school grounds, removing rubbish which may have blown into the garden beds. The Green Team is made up of students in Stage 2.
This fortnights focus was the garden beds on the K-1 playground and the gardens in front of the art and music buildings. What a FANTASTIC commitment to our environment these Green Teamers are making!
Waste Warriors was a response to the amount of rubbish we generate as a school. Most of this rubbish ends up in general landfill and a quick lunchtime audit identified that we could be recycling up to 95% of our waste! How exciting!!
An impassioned bunch of Stage 3 students are working together to make sure that our rubbish is sorted correctly and sent to be recycled.
Our aim is to have scrunchy, or soft, plastic collected and recycled - this is called RedCycle and you can recycle this at home by returning scrunchy plastics to Coles or Woolies. We will take the 10c recyclable bottles, cans and containers and donate the money to Vinnies and hard plastics and paper will be recycled as well. Green waste will be sent to the Waste Management Facility for composting. Living as Stewards of Creation will help to ensure our environment thrives. The Green Team will have planning meetings during lunchtime on Monday and will follow a roster for the week.
Sacrament of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated by Bishop Michael Kennedy this weekend. To our Confirmation Candidates: "As you enjoy this special day, remember He is always with you, leading you in the light of His wonderful love"
Sacramental Programs for 2021
Please note the following dates which have been identified for the Parish Sacramental Programs for 2021.
Sacrament of First Reconciliation: Thursday 9 September 2021 at 6pm
First Reconciliation is for all eligible students in Year 2 and above.
Sacrament of First Holy Communion: Sunday 7 November at 11:30am
First Holy Communion is for all eligible students in Year 3 and above.
Please contact St Francis Xavier Parish Centre on 6752 2886 for any additional information.
Priest Visits
Last week, Fr Tuan visited students in Stage 3 and shared his very personal story of travelling to, and arriving in, Australia. The students, and Leaders of Learning, were fascinated and enthralled with his recount of travel in a boat across open seas.
St Francis Xavier Parish church bulletin
Click here for a link to the latest Parish church bulletin.