Last Wednesday, we commemorated the beginning of the season of Lent by attending Ash Wednesday Mass with the wider Parish community. We received ashes sprinkled on the top of our heads as a reminder to turn away from sin and back to God. As Catholics we prepare for Easter through the following three Lenten actions:

Prayer

During Lent, we pray for ourselves and for others.

Fasting

Fasting is about giving something up for a time. Many people give up something they love to eat or do, such as watching television.

Almsgiving

Almsgiving means donating money or items to people who have less than you. It is a way to show that you care for others and that you are thankful for all that God has given you.

Lenten prayer

God of endless kindness and mercy,

Open our hearts in this time of Lent.

Give us the courage to look at our lives with honesty;

Give us strength to deal with what we find;

Help us to forgive ourselves and each other,

so that we may return to you with all our hearts,

We make this prayer through Christ Jesus.

Amen

Project Compassion

As a school, we are collecting money for Project Compassion during Lent. Each class has a ‘money box’ where children can donate any of their spare change. All of the money raised supports those in the world who are less fortunate than us.

This year's theme For All Future Generations reminds us that what we do today can have an impact for all future generations. This message invites us to put our compassion into action by making a difference today. You can learn more about project compassion on the Caritas Website

Catholic Education Week 13–20 March 2022

This year, all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne will celebrate Catholic Education Week 2022 from 13 to 20 March. The theme for Catholic Education Week 2022 is ‘The Way of the Gospel’. This theme is based on Archbishop Peter A Comensoli’s 2021 Pastoral Letter.

There are 335 Catholic primary and secondary schools across Melbourne, enrolling more than 150,000 students and employing approximately 17,000 staff. Catholic schools provide high-quality education in a faith-centred environment. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.

Spotlight on Saint John of God

Saint John of God was a soldier from Portugal, Spain. At the age of forty, he decided to repent for his violent ways and began to care for the sick and the poor.

He spent the remainder of his life caring for those who were disadvantaged.

Saint John of God is the patron saint of the sick and hospitals.

His feast day is 7 March.

Pauline Moran

Religious Education Leader

RE in Year 3/4 this week

This week, the children marked the end of Summer; with the new season (Autumn) starting on March 1st. This day also marked the end of the Church’s Liturgical season of Ordinary Time as we commenced the Lenten Season on Ash Wednesday.

The Year 3/4s learnt that the day before Lent is called Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday. They recognised that cultures worldwide celebrate this day by eating pancakes to remind them that the following days will be a time of fasting and abstinence.

The Year 3/4s did not let the day pass by without having pancakes! Ms Sam cooked the delicious pancakes for the class, and the children could choose the topping! They were so good almost everyone wanted seconds!

Cristina Elicano

Year 3/4 Teacher

Dates to Remember