Catholic Identity 

Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday

Next week the Church enters the Season of Lent. That means that next Tuesday is Shrove, or Pancake, Tuesday. Students will have the opportunity to enjoy some delicious pancakes in the morning. As Lent is traditionally a season of fasting and abstinence, Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on this Lenten fast. Pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients!

The following day is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent - and a day of reflection, prayer, fasting and abstinence. Many people abstain from eating meat on this day, as well as all Fridays during Lent. 

At school, we will be having an Ash Wednesday liturgy, in which we will reflect on the spirit of Lent, receive the ashes (made from the dried and burnt palms from last year's Palm Sunday) and begin our Project Compassion campaign.

All parents and families and welcome to our liturgy next Wednesday 22nd February in the Sports Centre at 9am. 

The Domestic Church

Here are some resources, which can also be found in 3-6 students' 'My Faith Diary', about creating homes that are sacred spaces. Feel free to read over them and use the ideas and prayers with your family. 

School Masses

It was wonderful to be able gather together last year for whole school celebrations and Masses. 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 1, Week 6: Whole School Mass, Friday 3rd March at 2pm

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