Our Catholic Community

Sacramental Programs

Enrolment for the Sacramental Programs of Reconciliation and Communion/Eucharist will be held during weekend Masses on the 24th and 25th of February. Please find the amended forms attached. In 2018, students in Year 3 are invited to make their First Reconciliation and students in Year 3 and 4 are invited to make their First Communion/Eucharist

Enrolment for Confirmation, for students in Year 6 who have received their First Holy Communion, is required by the 10th of March. Please find amended information attached.

Opening School Mass and Prefect Induction

Friday 16th February at 10am in the School Hall

The staff and students of St Philomena's invite you to join us for 2018 Opening Mass and Prefect Induction at 10 am in the School Hall. Family and friends of the 2018 prefect body are invited to share morning tea with staff and prefects following mass.

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent, which is a time when people traditionally fast and avoid food containing eggs and dairy products. Families would have a feast on Shrove Tuesday, a time to eat food that contained these ingredients so that meals would not be wasted. Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday because they were a dish that could use up perishable foodstuffs such as eggs, fats and milk. Students enjoyed pancakes from the canteen to celebrate Shrove Tuesday.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy

Our school community gathered today to share in the distribution of ashes, marking the beginning of Lent.  Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday. The ashes are placed on the heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel".

Lent

During this Lenten time we share thoughts from Annie Bond RSJ, from the Sisters of Saint Joseph. We would like to suggest that, while we may choose to continue the traditional practices associated with Lent such as giving up some of our favourite things, may we also embrace the notion of mindfulness, intentionality and give ourselves to the rhythm of this season. 

Choose a specific time to stop for 5 minutes each day of the week. Just stop. Be conscious of the present moment, be conscious of God present with you. Pray the short Psalm for the week, ponder this in your heart and return to what you were doing. 

Week 1

Your paths are loving and sure,

O Holy One, and

those who give witness to You

through their lives

are blessed beyond measure.

Week 2

You raise me up to a new life.

You dry my tears, and guide my feet on straight paths.

Now, I walk hand in hand with Love in the land of the Awakened One.

I keep my faith, even in time of great turmoil,

I invite others to Awaken to the joy of your Presence.