Catholic Identity

Acknowledgment of Country:

At St Mary’s School Echuca, we acknowledge and pay our respect to the Yorta Yorta people, the traditional owners and custodians of the land our school is on. We pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging. They hold the story, hope and dreaming for all. We affirm the wisdom of this ancient culture. It reminds us that God’s Word is part of the whole of Creation. This message celebrates reconciliation with God, creation and all people. May we continue to walk the message of faith, trust, love and reconciliation for all. We affirm our commitment to walk alongside First Nations people for Reconciliation and Justice.

This week we are grateful and proud to be acknowledging Sorry Day and National Reconciliation week.

Thursday, 26th May is Sorry Day- a time when we reflect on former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology on behalf of Australian citizens, to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for the wrongs of the past. Why acknowledge this in May, and not in February when the apology was offered? The date was chosen because it commemorates the 1997 Bringing Them Home Report. And how is National Sorry Day connected to National Reconciliation Week? Well, Sorry Day is about remembering the Stolen Generations and recognising how this history continues to affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families today. National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about our countries’ shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how relationships between all Australians can be nurtured and strengthened.

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme is “Be Brave. Make Change.” It is a challenge to individuals, families, communities, organisations and our government- to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. This year we are called make change beginning with brave actions in our daily lives- where we live, work, play and socialise.

Today we acknowledged Sorry Day and launched National Reconciliation Week with a liturgy in the Brigidine Centre, led beautifully and respectfully by the Year Three community and current FIRE Carriers. This morning, 20 students traveled to St Joseph's College to celebrate Reconciliation Week with a liturgy and morning tea. Tomorrow some students will represent our school at Hopwood Gardens.

Throughout this week and next, students will be involved in learning about and responding to First Nations stories, experiences and traditions. We will participate in a Smoking Ceremony, a casual clothes day and sausage sizzle to raise funds for Opening the Doors Foundation, and a disco celebrating Indigenous music. The learning we focus on this week will carry throughout the year- reconciliation and justice does not happen in one week. At St Mary’s we are committed to the ongoing nature of this journey and understand that for true reconciliation and justice, shared learning is an everyday experience.

In Naidoc Week, we look forward to commissioning our new FIRE Carriers.

Our Administration area looks amazing, with a display put together by our talented Narelle using student artwork.

The Opening the Doors Foundation is an Aboriginal-led community organisation supporting educational opportunities for Aboriginal children, enabling Aboriginal students to participate fully and equally in education, and supports their families to make their own choices about their children’s future. This support offers Aboriginal children an educational opportunity that will make a real and tangible difference in their lives. These supports include, meeting the costs of uniforms, school books, IT equipment, stationary and more. By providing support and being led by the wishes of families and on the ground, students are able to attend the school of their choice, with correct uniform and equipment.

This year Pentecost falls on Sunday, 5th June.

Next week, we will celebrate the season of Easter concluding with Pentecost, a time when we remember how Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples, empowering them to go out and continue to spread the Good News. The word has its roots in the Greek word ‘pentecoste,’ which means ‘50th day.’ Pentecost marks the beginning of the church’s mission to the world. The day is commemorated as the moment in history when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples following the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. For Catholics, it is the birthday of the church… the day when Christ burst forth and promised his followers that God will forever be with them and they were empowered to continue Jesus’ mission. At Pentecost, we too are called to the mission of sharing the Good News throughout the world.

New Beginnings Mass - Thursday June 9th @ 12.30pm.

Our school community is invited to join us in our ‘New Beginnings’ Mass. As we did not have a start of year mass due to Fr Pompayo leaving our parish, Covid restrictions and the wish to be able to gather together for our first mass of the year, we have waited until our new priest Novi is with us and restrictions have been eased- Thus ‘New Beginnings…’ We will also be farewelling Brendan Atley at this mass, and families are invited to stay for refreshments after the mass to farewell Mr Atley and welcome Fr Novi and Mrs Ryan.

All families are warmly welcomed to join us at 12.30pm in the Brigidine Centre.

4th June- Fr Novi’s return from Cebu- it would be great to have as many families as possible at the Saturday evening (6pm) or Sunday morning (9.30am) mass to show support for him and to welcome him into our community.

Saramental Timeline 2022

Mass Times:

St Mary’s Church 258 Hare Street, Echuca

Wednesday - Mass Midday - Church

Weekend Mass Times:

Saturday 6.00pm & Sunday 9.30am

Reconciliation: Saturday 10.00am

St Mary’s Parish Centre

224-230 Anstruther Street, Echuca

Ph: (03) 5482 1127

Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9.00am - 1.00pm

All other enquires:

Colette Porter 0457 583 536 admin@stmarysechuca.org.au

Christine Sebire: 0411 627 645 christine@stmarysechuca.org.au

Website: www.stmarysechuca.org.au

Facebook- St Mary’s Parish Echuca