Faith News
Religious Education News
Whole School Ash Wednesday Liturgy-
Thank-you to the Year Three and Year Four teachers and students for preparing and leading the Ash Wednesday liturgy on Wednesday. It was a beautiful, prayerful time for all who attended and a great opportunity to reflect on the beginning of our lenten journey together as a school community. Thank-you to the parents, friends and families who were also able to celebrate with us and receive the ashes as a sign of repentance and commitment to the lenten season.
Holy Week Celebrations
All students will be involved in celebrating the Holy Week story on Monday March 23d between 11:30-1 pm. The Foundation and Year Three to Year Six classes will be leading this liturgies which tell the story of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
All welcome.
At the commencement of Term Two, all students will also be involved with celebrating the story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, presented by the Year One and Two students at 2:30 pm. All welcome.
2020 Sacrament Dates
Further information will be sent home in due course for each of these events. However, families should please note the following dates in their family schedule in advance, as follows:
First Eucharist- Year Three students
-Student Retreat Day with all Westernport First Eucharist students (First Communicants) Wednesday, March 25th at St Joseph’s School, Crib Point.
-Workshop Evening for First Communicants and their parents- Thursday, April 16th at 7 pm in The Multipurpose Room at St. Brendan’s, Somerville.
-Commitment Mass for Year Three First Eucharist students and Year Six Confirmation students- Saturday Parish Mass- Saturday, April 18th at 6 pm at St Brendan’s Church, Somerville.
-First Eucharist Mass (1)- Parish Mass on Saturday, May 23rd at 6 pm at St Brendan’s Church, Somerville.
-First Eucharist Mass (2)- Parish Mass on Saturday, May 30th, 6 pm at St Brendan’s Church, Somerville.
Confirmation- Year Six students
-Commitment Mass for Year Six Confirmation and Year Three First Eucharist students- Saturday Parish Mass on Saturday April 18th at 6 pm at St Brendan’s Church, Somerville.
-Workshop Evening for Confirmation candidates and their parents- Tuesday June 2nd at 7 pm in The Multipurpose Room. ** Please note the change of date for this event.
-Student Retreat Day with all Westernport Confirmation Candidates and Year Six Students- Wednesday, June 10th at Don Bosco Retreat Centre, Lysterfield.
-Confirmation Mass (1)- Friday, June 12th at 7 pm at The Immaculate Conception Church, Hastings.
-Confirmation Mass (2)- Parish Mass on Saturday, June 13th at 6 pm at St Brendan’s Church, Somerville.
Catholic Baptism Enquiries-
Please contact Sally Black at the Western Port Parish Centre on (03) 5979 4374. Should you make Baptism arrangements with the Parish for your school aged child/ren to be baptised, please inform me so that this special milestone for your child can be acknowledged within the school community.
First Eucharist for Students in Year 4, 5 or 6.
Please make contact with me at the school and I will assist you further.
Children Who Have Been Baptised in Other Christian Faith Traditions
If your child has been baptised in a Christian faith tradition other than the Catholic Church, you wish for your child to begin their sacramental journey as a Catholic and you are seeking the Sacrament of First Eucharist for your child, please contact me at the school and I will assist you further.
Western Port Parish News
Please take a look at The Western Port Parish webpage which contains lots of information about Mass times and other Parish happenings.
https://westernportchurch.com.au/
The Gospel
Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew, 4:1-11) explains the origin of the Lenten season. Today, we focus on renewing our lives and faith through praying, fasting and almsgiving. In this Gospel, Jesus fasts for 40 days as he resisits the temptations presented to him during his time in the desert. He draws on his religious upbringing and refers to Scripture to give him strength because he was a human person who lived his Jewish beliefs fully. As Catholic Christians, we too are called upon to resist the temptations that we face in their lives throughout the Lenten season.
Pray, Fast and Almsgive
As a family, the beginning of Lent is a fabulous time to discuss the ways in which we can pray for others and their needs. Think about ways in which members of your family may fast by abstaining from something tempting, such as sweet treats, screen time, engaging in conflict with others or whatever else might be at least a small sacrifice this Lent. When we almsgive, we find it in our hearts to give to others. This might be by showing generosity with your time and assisting those in need. You may have noticed donation boxes in the classrooms which encourage parents and students to make a contribution to the Caritas Project Compassion Appeal. Special thanks to Nicole Bibby and the Social Justice team for initiating this appeal at St Brendans. For more information, please visit https://lent.caritas.org.au/#blank
Enjoy your journey throughout Lent and do take care.
Yours in faith,
Emma Chapple
-Religious Education Leader
-Performing Arts Classroom Specialist Teacher