St Raphael’s Community of Love and Peace.

Last Saturday evening we gathered as a community for our Commitment mass for the children receiving the sacrament of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation this year.

It was a special occasion as our students were presented to the parish community. A special thank you to Fr Benneth for a beautiful celebration and to all the staff for their attendance and support. A big thank you to all the parents and extended family for coming along and continuing on this sacramental journey with your child.

Over the last fortnight we have remembered and reflected on many significant occasions. We began on Monday the 13th of February by honouring the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflected on Kevin Rudd’s Apology Speech to Indigenous Australians in the House of Representatives, Canberra in 2008.

A Prayer for Reconciliation

Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations—this

blemished chapter in our nation’s history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation. For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again. A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity. A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed. A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility. A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great

country, Australia.

We also celebrated World Social Justice Day. A day were we focus on a Kingdom of Justice in our world. Social justice is embraced across religious and secular traditions as an underlying principle that promotes peaceful relationships between people. Social Justice is central to Catholic Social Teaching.

In the the words of Pope Francis…… We must put human dignity again at the centre and on that pillar build the alternative social structures we need (Pope Francis, 2014).

At St Raphael we continue to hold our School Values at the forefront of what we do along with our School Vision. We value acceptance, honesty, trust and hope. We turn to the Letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote…..be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:32)

As community members at St Raphael, we endeavor to be demonstrate love and peace to all.

Sunday’s Gospel Reflection

12/2/17

Mt 5:20-22. 27-28. 33-34. 37

Such was said to your ancestors; but I am speaking to you.

Jesus said to his disciples: I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court.

’You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’

19/2/17

Mt 5:38-48 Love your enemies.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away. ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

Dates to Remember

Fr Benneth Homeroom Visits

Tue 21 st Feb- 5/6

Thurs 2 nd Mar-1/2C, 1/2D & 1/2M

Thurs 16 th Mar- 3/4M, 3/4S & Foundation

HOMEROOM MASS Weekly- Friday at 9am in Church.

Friday 24th Feb-Year 6 level

Friday 3 rd Mar- Year 5 level

Friday 10th Mar- Year 4 level

Friday 17th Mar- Year 3 level

Friday 24th Mar- Year 2 level

Friday 31st Mar- Year 1 level

WHOLE SCHOOL/FAMILY MASS

Wednesday 1st Mar-Ash Wednesday/Opening School Mass/Staff Commissioning

9.30pm

Saturday 18th Mar-Confirmation

4pm

Friday 23rd June- Sacred Heart Feast Mass

9.30am

Tuesday 15th August- Feast of the Assumption Mass

9.30am

Wednesday 18th October- Feast of St Raphael Mass

9.30am

Saturday 16th December- Year 6 Graduation Mass

6pm

Friday 22nd December- End of Year Mass

9.30am

SACRAMENTS

Confirmation- Saturday 18th Mar-Confirmation 4pm

Parent Information Night- Thursday 23rd Feb- 7pm at school

First Holy Communion- Saturday 5th August- 3/4M & 3/4S 6pm

Reconciliation for First Communion- Thursday 3rd @9.15am (in church)

First Holy Communion- Saturday 12th August- 3/4E & 3/4J- 6pm

Reconciliation for First Communion- Thursday 10th @9.15am (in church)

Parent Information Night-(to be advised) 7pm at school

First Reconciliation- Tuesday 19th September- All Year 3 level- 7pm

All families are most welcome to join us in level mass celebrations every Friday as well as whole school celebrations.

We ask that you keep our Year 6 students in your prayers as they are preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

How does your Garden Grow?

Hello everyone!