Faith & Wellbeing
Cathy Ferrari
Wellbeing Leader
Break Out Space
On Mondays and Thursdays in 3C at 2:00pm till 2:30pm there is a Break Out Space on offer. Students who want to go inside and draw, read, sit quietly and/or build with blocks are very welcome. We make an announcement at 2:00pm for people to line up at the steps. Two Well Being students will be there to play with the students along with Miss Dillon and Miss Coelli on Monday and Mrs Ferrari on Thursday. We look forward to seeing you there.
Adelle M, Clare N, Sienna C and Elke L
Student Wellbeing Leaders 2017
Refugee Week Australia and
World Refugee Day
In Australia we are celebrating Refugee Week and World Refugee Day (Tuesday 20th June). It’s purpose is to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.
The theme for Refugee Week for 2015 to 2017 is “With courage let us all combine”. Taken from the second verse of the national anthem, the theme celebrates the courage of refugees and of people who speak out against persecution and injustice. It serves as a call for unity and for positive action, encouraging Australians to improve our nation’s welcome for refugees and to acknowledge the skills and energy refugees bring to their new home (Refugee Week, 2017).
St James taking action
On Monday the Year 6 Social Justice Leaders travelled by train to Sunshine Library, to work with asylum seekers from the Jesuit Social Services English Language Support Program. The children helped the clients fill out forms, spoke to them about their life in Australia and in their birth country. Some highlights were Zak and George teaching one of the clients how to handball in football, Holly sharing photos of her family trips to the snow, Tilly and Willow working with clients to develop their literacy skills and Vigo confidently thanking the clients and volunteers for the experience. The clients were so appreciative of the students time, patience and presence. They have asked us to come and visit again. At the end of the session the clients were asked “What does it mean to live in Australia?”. Some of their responses are below:
Human rights; free speech
No violence, the law protects us
Australia is a land of opportunities
Australia has lovely people
I like Australia, everything is good!
A welcome refuge
We have received help
Very proud to be here, we are
After the session the Social Justice Leaders went to lunch together at a local Vietnamese restaurant where we discussed the experience, what we had learnt and what we can do from here to work towards a more just world. Thank you to Carole Pondevie Lay and Trudy Cook for their assistance in organising the visit.
Feast of the Sacred Heart Mass
Friday 23rd June 9:15am
Tomorrow (Friday 23rd) is your last chance to donate to the St Vincent de Paul winter appeal. Please bring nonperishable food items to the school hall. Thank you for your generosity, it will be much appreciated by those in our community.
Please join us for Mass tomorrow, in the school hall to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart. As part of the Mass we will present St Vincent de Paul with the food we have collected as a school for their annual winter appeal.
St Vincent de Paul - Clothing Bin
The St Vincent de Paul Society (Gardenvale Conference) have now positioned a collection bin located alongside St James (temporary chapel) entrance, off Murphy Street.
We welcome and encourage people to donate clothes, gifts, blankets etc. We need a steady supply of these goods to enable the Society to continue our work in assisting the disadvantaged members of our community.
John Taylor
St Vincent de Paul
Confirmation- Year 6
On Tuesday night the Year 6 children and their parents attended the Confirmation Information evening. Please see PDF below for information that was handed out on the night including booking information. Thank you to the Year 6 Teachers and the Faith Team for your support and attendance.
Important Dates
8th August: Tuesday Sacrament of Confirmation Reflection Day
9th August: Wednesday Sacrament of Confirmation (held at St Joan of Arc) 7pm
10th August: Thursday Sacrament of Confirmation (held at St Joan of Arc) 7pm
Parents have been given a login code to book in for the Sacrament on either the 9th or 10th of August.
On the 8th of August the Year 6 children will be having their Confirmation Reflection Day with a special lunch. This is a St James tradition and a really special day for the children. Closer to the date we will be asking for parent assistance to set up the hall and contributions for a dessert table.
Year 1 and 2 Family Faith Night
On Thursday 15th June the Year 1 and 2 children and their families gathered for their first Family Faith Night. Father Martin talked to the children and parents about the importance of story and prayer in the home. It was a wonderful opportunity for faith formation for both children and their parents. Thank you to Jess Chapman and Bernie Whiffen for their preparation of the children. They performed Hearts on Fire confidently and beautifully.
Coat Drive
First Eucharist
The Year 3 children will be making their sacrament of First Eucharist in Term 3. Preparation Masses for the Sacrament commenced in May (please see below for dates). It is an expectation for children to attend one of the Masses for each of the 6 Preparation Masses in the lead up to the sacrament. There are two masses per weekend and you can choose which you would like to attend. Each Mass has a specific focus in preparing the children for the sacrament.
If you have a child in another class who is planning to make their First Eucharist, please contact me through the office.
If you have yet to book Mass for the Sacrament of First Eucharist, please do so via Online Bookings using Code 3ctff
Elly Dillon
Religious Education Leader
Year 3 children attending Mass last weekend.
Class Masses
Family Faith Night Dates
Sacrament Dates
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HEART
23 Sept - 4 October 2017
A TRIP FOR THE FAMILY IN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
This is a journey – a pilgrimage – to the heart of Australia. Many of us live on the periphery of our country and never go to the heart. As well, many of us live on the periphery of our lives and never take time to go to the heart. This pilgrimage combines both those activities.
Our first stop is Penola, where we visit the Mary McKillop Centre, recalling how she said: “If you see a need answer it.”
Then through Adelaide, Coober Pedy to Uluru for 3 nights and onto the Centre with 4 nights in Alice Springs.
Brochures are in the foyer of the school and the church. Fr Martin can fill you in if you need more details.
Fr Martin Dixon