Catholic Identity

Dear Families,

Let us Pray….

            Prayer for Strength and Resilience

Loving God, 

Thank You for greeting me with love and faithfulness every morning 

and night. 

Help me to bend, not break, in the winds of all I’ve got happening 

with my life, heart and home right now. 

Please give me a fresh strength and vitality today to walk in Your ways 

and thrive in Your grace. 

In Jesus’ Name, 

Amen.

Today is Ash Wednesday. It is the first day of Lent.  Our grade 3/4 students and their teachers went to Mass in the church with Father John to pray, and receive the ashes.

This sign of the cross on our foreheads reminds us that we want to turn away from our bad choices and turn towards God.  

“During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.”  (Pope Francis, Message for Lent, 2021)

What is Lent?

In today's gospel, Jesus reminds us not to show off to other people to try and get their approval. God sees the good things we do and will reward us. In the same way, we should go to a quiet place when we pray so that we can focus on talking to God, rather than being distracted by the people around us. God always hears our prayers and will be very close to us. 

Today's Gospel

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew        6:1, 5-6

Your Father, who sees all that is done in secret, will reward you.

Jesus said to his disciples:

"When you do good deeds, don't try to show off.

If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in heaven.

"When you pray, don't be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray

in the meeting places and on the street corners.

They do this just to look good.

I promise you that they already have their reward.

​"When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door.

Pray to your Father in private.

He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you."

Reflecting on the Gospel Story                                  

What you can do to follow Jesus this Lent?​

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday  

Thank you for your kind donations of pancake mixes and your families contributions (gold coin donation) for Project Compassion.  It was our first fundraising effort for Caritas.  We raised over $450!  The students enjoyed their pancakes and importantly learnt the significance of this day in the Lenten journey to Easter.

We will continue to hold events to raise money for Project Compassion.  Each class has a Project Compassion box in their classroom.

Our next fundraiser will involve the Catholic Identity team selling ‘Zooper Doopers’ for $1 each Friday at second break.  One per student.

AND please REMEMBER NEXT WEEK we will again call our school families to action.   

Many students do jobs for you at home in exchange for pocket money - a great way to build responsibility and cooperation in your home.  

We would like to work with this idea and ask each student to do some jobs at home next week.  

At the end of the week, we are asking students to give a donation to Project Compassion by placing it in the Project Compassion box in their classroom.   

In doing this, the fundraising effort is aligned with the meaning of our Lenten season.   

In our classrooms over the weeks of Lent, the teachers will be sharing information and building student understandings of Lent and Project Compassion as we journey together toward Easter.

The Catholic Identity team - Ella; Lachlan; Isabel; William; Sophia; and Tori - have been working hard to assist classes to commence the Lenten journey at Sacred Heart.  They will continue to work as we progress through the weeks prior to Easter.

DATES FOR TERM 1

Parish - School Mass - Children

The first School Mass for 2022 will be held on Sunday March 20th at 10am.                      This is a great opportunity for families to celebrate Mass with Fr John; the school community and Parish community.               

We are looking for students to participate in this Mass:                                                               

* taking up the Gospel & Message Stick                                                                                     

* taking up the Gifts                                                                                                                             

* Prayers of the Faithful 

Please let your child’s class teacher or myself if you would like your child(ren) to be a part of this Mass. 

Mrs Nihill and the school choir will also be there to help us celebrate Mass and lead the singing. 

ALL WELCOME --- PLEASE COME ALONG AND HELP US CELEBRATE! 

Morning Tea will be held in the Parish Hall after Mass.  Please bring a plate to share. 

Prayer for this week

Have a great week!

GOD BLESS

Debbie Turvey

RE Leader