Religious Education

Welcome back!

Welcome back to the start of a new school year and a special welcome to all our new families and Kinders. For majority of last year I was on Maternity Leave and Mrs Teonie Flynn took over my role as Religious Education Coordinator. This year, I am working part time and Mrs Flynn will continue to share the role with me this year. In my position I will be organising the Mission and Evangelisation side, looking at School Masses, Sacraments and Mini Vinnies etc. Mrs Flynn will be working on the Curriculum component of Religious Education. If during the year you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the school office and they will forward your question to either Mrs Teonie Flynn or myself. 

Priest Appointments

Over the last couple of weeks our Catholic Community has farewelled Fr Francis Afu and Father Sabu Pulimalayil who both leave for other Parishes. We thank them for all of their hard work and commitment to our School and our Church over the last few years.  We welcome this week Fr Roel Llave who has been appointed as the Cathedral Administrator. We look forward to meeting with Fr Roel and showing him our wonderful school community.

Opening School Mass

The St Mary’s Opening School Mass will be on Wednesday, 13th February at 12:30pm. At this Mass the new Year 6 School Leaders will be blessed and will receive their school badges. We welcome all parents and guardians to this special Mass.

St Angela Merici

As part of our School's Quality Beginning Program, Students will be learning about St Angela Merici. St Angela Merici (1474-1540) has a special connection to our school as she was the Foundress of the Ursuline Nuns. Father Torreggiani was made Bishop of Armidale in 1879 and promptly invited the Ursulines from Germany and England to the Armidale Diocese to carry out the work of Catholic Education. For over 125 years the sisters had shared their faith and life to the people of Armidale. We hope that students enjoy learning about St Angela Merici and encourage parents and carers to ask their child more about St Angela Merici.

School Theme for 2019

It gives me great joy in sharing our school theme for 2019 ‘Recognise the need and value in every person’. These words were chosen by Staff from St Angela Merici’s Counsels. During Quality Beginning each class will discuss this theme and what it might mean to them.

Sacrament Dates for 2019

A new School Year brings new opportunities for Students to be enriched in their faith journey. If there is any new students that would like to be Baptised Catholic, you will need to contact the Parish Office. If there is any new student who is already Baptised but may have missed receiving a Sacrament, please contact me at the School Office and I will be happy to explain the next steps. Typically students in our Diocese receive their First Reconciliation in Year 2, First Holy Communion in Year 3 and their Confirmation in Year 6.  More information regarding the classes and Enrolment sessions will be provided closer to the dates. The St Mary’s and Joseph Cathedral will celebrate the following Sacraments on these dates:

Confirmation (Year 6): Sunday 26th May

First Holy Communion (Year 3): 14th & 15th September

First Reconciliation (Year 2): Wednesday 27th November

Altar Servers

Any student who has been Altar Serving for the Parish and would like to Serve at School Masses, could you please let Mrs Scully know as soon as possible.

Family Masses

This Year Family Masses will be celebrated once during the School Term. In Term 1 our Family Mass is on Sunday 3rd March at 10am. Please save this date in your calendar and more information will be provided closer to the day.

Mini Vinnies

"Mini Vinnies empowers primary school students to become advocates within their school and local community by putting their values into action.  They meet regularly to learn about social justice issues, develop leadership skills and engage with the wider St Vincent de Paul Society” (St Vincent De Paul Society). Mini Vinnies will continue again this year for any student in Years 4-6. We will meet on Friday during Break 1 in Mrs Scully’s Year 5 classroom.