Catholic Identity 

Project Compassion 2023

We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Laxmi, a 16-year-old girl living in a remote district in Nepal where almost half of the population live below the poverty line. Tragedy struck when Laxmi was ten and her father passed away. Her father worked hard to pay for his children's education and, after losing him, Laxmi was at risk of falling further into extreme poverty.

With the support of Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas Nepal, Laxmi joined a child's club at her school. She developed the skills and confidence to become a leader, advocating for clean water taps at her school.

Laxmi is now excelling in her studies and working towards her dream of becoming a civil engineer. She continues to be involved in the child's club, mentoring the next generation of young leaders at her old school.

▶️ Watch Laxmi’s story here: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/laxmi-story-video 

M&M Jar Guessing Competition

In Weeks 9 and 10, we will be holding an M&M Jar guessing competition. Each Learning Centre will have its own jar. Each day, Social Justice leaders will come around and record students' guesses. Each guess will cost 20c which will be donated to our Project Compassion fundraising. 

The student in each Learning Centre whose guess is closest without going over will win the jar of M&Ms!

School Masses

Today we were able to come together as a school community to celebrate our first Whole School Mass for 2023. As we journey through this lenten season, the theme of our Mass was 'The Light of Christ' which illuminates our path during this time of reflection. Thank you to all of those from our school community - parents, grandparents and friends - who joined us for this Mass. 

This year, we are very fortunate to be able to celebrate a whole school Mass each term, as well as some smaller Masses in Terms 3 and 4. All Masses will be celebrated in the Sports Centre. Parents and families are invited to these celebrations and we hope to see as many of you as possible attend!

Here are the dates and times of our Masses for 2023:

Term 2, Week 6: Whole School Mass, Friday 2nd June at 2pm

Term 3, Week 6: LC1 and LC2 Mass, Friday 18th August at 2pm

Term 3, Week 8: Feast Day Whole School Mass, Friday 1st September at 10am

Term 4, Week 4: LC3 & LC4 Mass, Friday 27th October at 2pm

Term 4, Week 7: Whole School Mass, Friday 17th November at 2pm

Sacramental Program 2023

First Reconciliation

Students have begun their preparation for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation as part of their Religious Education. An important part of this preparation is the participation in a Family Sacramental Evening. This will take place on Wednesday 15th March - at the OLSC Sports Centre, from 6.30-7.30 pm. Attendance at this evening is compulsory, as the program is designed to deepen the faith and understanding of all within the family to allow the sacrament to be celebrated with reverence and understanding. 

The Sacrament of Penance will be celebrated on Wednesday 29th March, at the OLSC Sports Centre at 6.30 pm. 

The following students are preparing for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation:

Prayers of Sorrow/Forgiveness 

Students have begun looking at how they can come to God in prayer to ask for forgiveness and express their contrition, or sorrow, for times when they have not followed the example of Jesus. 

Family Action: As a family, to support your child making their First Reconciliation, find time each day to gather together in prayer. Practise the ACT OF SORROW together by praying:

O MY GOD, I AM VERY SORRY THAT I HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU,

BECAUSE YOU ARE SO GOOD AND WITH YOUR HELP, I WILL NOT SIN AGAIN. AMEN.

Your child will have a copy of this prayer during their First Reconciliation to assist them, however, it would be great if they could learn this ACT OF SORROW ‘off by heart’, so they do not require a sheet in front of them when they make their Reconciliation in future years. 

Dates of our 2023 Sacramental Program are as follows:

First Eucharist Sacramental Students - 2023

Confirmation Sacramental Students - 2023

John Dini

Catholic Identity Leader