Education in Faith

As we are getting into the swing of Term One, I'd like to draw your attention to opportunities for our students and their families to celebrate Mass and prayer at OLA.

Whole School Mass/Prayer

Term 1

• Wednesday 22 February 9:15am - Ash Wednesday Mass
• Wednesday 1 March 2:30pm - FIRE Carrier Commissioning Ceremony
• Friday 31 March 2:30pm - Palm Sunday Prayer Service
• Lenten Prayer Services 

Term 2

• Wednesday 26 April 10:30am - ANZAC & Easter Alleluia Prayer Service
• Wednesday 3 May 9:15am - Opening School Term & Mini Vinnies Commissioning Mass
• Thursday 23 June 2:30pm - Feast of the Sacred Heart ~ Poor Man’s Prayer Service

Term 3

• Tuesday 8 August 2:30pm - Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop Prayer Service
• Tuesday 15 August 9am - Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Prayer Service

Term 4

• Friday 10 November 10:45am - Remembrance Day Prayer Service
• Advent Prayer Services

Sacramental Program and Level Involvement

Prep

• Thursday 9 March 6:30pm - Prep Prayer in Pyjamas Parent/Child Workshop

Grade 1/2

• Thursday 3 August 6:30pm - Parent/Child Workshop

Reconciliation (Grade 3)

• Thursday 23 February 6:30pm - Reconciliation Parent/Child Workshop
• Wednesday 22 March 5pm and 7pm - Sacrament of Reconciliation

Grade 4/5

• Thursday 26 October 6:30pm - Parent/Child Social Justice Evening

Confirmation (Grade 6)

• Thursday 20 July 6:30pm - Confirmation Parent/Child Workshop
• Thursday 24 August 5pm & 7pm - Sacrament of Confirmation

Please note that as of 2023, First Eucharist is a Grade Four Sacrament, with Reconciliation remaining for Grade Threes. Given that this year's cohort of Grade Four students have already participated in First Eucharist, there will be no celebrations of this Sacrament organised by the school this year.

Class Prayer Services & Participation in Mass

At OLA, Prep - Grade 2 classes host one prayer service for their families in the year, and the Grade 3 - 6 classes participate in a Mass in the Church and lead the prayers and readings for the day. After each of these opportunities, we welcome parents and other special visitors to join us for some morning tea. All are welcome!

Prep Level

• Thursday 17 August 9am - PFLThursday 24 August 9am - PCH

Junior Level

• Wednesday 25 October 9am - 1/2MV
• Wednesday 1 November 9am - 1/2KM
• Wednesday 15 November 9am - 1/2CE

Middle Level

• Wednesday 10 May 9:15am - 3/4ST
• Wednesday 17 May 9:15am - 3/4TR

Senior Level

• Wednesday 8 March 9:15am - 5/6SP
• Wednesday 29 March 9:15am - 5/6NC
• Wednesday 5 April 9:15am - 5/6GO

We look forward to celebrating and sharing our faith in 2023. 

Shrove Tuesday

Tuesday 21 February is Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is a Christian festival celebrated in many countries across the globe. It falls on the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent – a period of around six weeks leading up to Easter. During Lent, Christians give up luxuries to remember when Jesus went into the desert for 40 days to fast and pray.

Traditionally during Lent, Christians would give up rich, tasty foods such as butter, eggs, sugar and fat. Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to eat them – and what better way to do so than with a delicious pancake!

We thank Andy, Dominique and our P&F Committee for organising pancakes for our students. Please check your Operoo if your child require a gluten free pancake.

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday 22 February is Ash Wednesday, and it marks the beginning of Lent. We call it Ash Wednesday because many Christians around the world receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads. God’s people have used this sign for hundreds of years. This cross of ashes tells friends and neighbours that we are not perfect, and that we know we are not perfect. With God’s help we can try to reach out to others with more love and kindness especially in our own families, our school and parish communities and in our world and think about how we can be better people. The ashes also remind us that God brings new life where before we could see none.

Students in Grade 1-6 will attend Mass on Wednesday morning to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.

Lent

Lent is the period of about six weeks before Easter. It is a time in which we are quiet and thoughtful, preparing for Easter.

During this time we are invited to pray, show kindness to our loved ones, help out those in need, or give up something that is special to us. 

The period of Lent ends at Easter, which is a time of great celebration as we reflect on how Jesus had died on the cross but then rose again from the dead.

Lent is traditionally forty days long. That is because the Bible says that Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, preparing for his death and resurrection.

Caitlan Taig

RE Leader