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 ...
We pray for ...... our St Nicholas School students and families, for those who are undergoing procedures and operations and for all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones.
LITURGY NEWS
Shrove Tuesday
With Shrove Tuesday taking place before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, it was the day when Christians were encouraged to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season that would end 40 days and 40 nights later with Easter Sunday. Dating back to 1000 AD, over the years Shrove Tuesday not only became a day for Confession but a time for Catholics to feast on eggs, sugar and dairy which are traditionally restricted during the Lenten fast.
Unfortunately our traditional pancake day on Shrove Tuesday is being postponed to a later date.
Ash Wednesday Mass Years 3-6 – Wednesday 2nd March
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. To mark this occasion Years 3-6 will attend mass in the Undercroft area beginning at 9.30am. Kindergarten, Year 1 & Year 2 will receive the Ashes in a small Liturgy in their learning spaces.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. The practice of administering ashes on this day dates back to the Middle Ages. Ashes are intended to remind us of our human condition and that the things of this world are transitory. They are also a sign of repentance. The Ashes are made from burning the dry palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday and are placed on the foreheads in the sign of the cross with the words: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Project Compassion Boxes
Each family will be receiving a small Project Compassion box to keep in their home during Lent. The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.
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!
CLASS RECONCILIATION
Yesterday, some of our Year 6 students were able to partake in Reconciliation. We thank Fr Paul for his support and spiritual guidance.
2022 FAMILY MASSES
Our Family Masses have become an important part of our school culture pre COVID. The last 2 years have seen many of our scheduled Family Masses cancelled due to restrictions. We would however like to recommence this opportunity, encouraging our school community to come together with the parish to celebrate Mass. Family Masses are usually held on the first Sunday of every month of the school term.
Our first two Family Masses for this term will be held on Sunday, 6th March (Kindergarten and Yr 6) and Sunday, 3rd April (Yr 1 and Yr 5) at St Nicholas Church at 9.30am.
DATES FOR 2022 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 children.
First Reconciliation - Year 3 - Wednesday 15th June 2022
First Eucharist - Year 3 - Weekend of 18th/19th June 2022
Confirmation - Year 6 - Weekend of 10th/11th September 2022
For new students who are baptised Catholic, are in Years 3 -6 and are beginning at St Nicholas School in 2022, if there is a Sacrament that they have missed receiving please contact Mrs Dunst as soon as possible (rdunst@arm.catholic.edu.au).
SCHOOL AGED BAPTISM
This year the School Age Baptisms (children from Kindergarten: 5yrs old – Year 6: 11yrs old) will be held on Saturday 26th March at 10.00am at St Nicholas Church. There is a baptism preparation session which parents (without exception) will need to attend on Thursday 24th March at 5pm. Please make contact with St Nicholas Presbytery to express your interest in having your child/ren baptised. (Presbytery phone number 67662228).
MENS GATHERING
All men of our school community, regardless of religious denomination are invited to attend the ARMIDALE DIOCESAN MENS' GATHERING (ADMG) to be held at McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth, on Saturday morning, 19th March, starting over breakfast at 7.30am and finishing at lunchtime.
The principal speaker, Tim Davis, is a father of primary school children and pre-schoolers.
There will be an open forum with plenty of time for you to raise things that are important to you – perhaps mental health issues in children and families – perhaps how hard it is to be a man of faith today – perhaps helping children and teenagers navigate the online world in a safe way.
Saturday morning can be a busy time for kids and families with sporting commitments etc. If you need to leave early that is OK.
It can be hard being a father today. Those who have heard Tim or who have attended similar gatherings throughout Australia endorse the experience.
Yourself, your family and our school community may benefit from your attendance.