Religious Dimension
Holy Week
The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is Holy Week. This is the most sacred time of year. During this special time, we enter into the passion of Christ — his crucifixion, death and being laid to rest, until his Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday
This is the day that Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem with his disciples. He was welcomed like a king as the people waved palm leaves and laid down their coats for him.
Family Activity: Discuss and then illustrate what Holy Week would look like in a modern day setting. How would we welcome Jesus if he arrived in Melbourne today?
Holy Thursday
So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?” John 13:12
On this night we remember the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples which is the origin of our celebration of the Eucharist.
Good Friday
He said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. ~ John 19:30
Good Friday is a somber remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. It is a day of fasting and penance and a time to examine our own lives. Good Friday is a commemoration of a historical event and Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.
Family Activity: Pray the Lord’s Prayer at bedtime on this night in remembrance of Christ’s gift for all of salvation.
This Week's Gospel - John 11:1-45
‘I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'
Jesus reminds us many times that, if we have faith, nothing is impossible. Martha’s faith is indomitable. Knowing that the tomb contains the decomposing body of her beloved brother, she can still summon up the words, “even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him”. Do I truly believe that anything is possible for one who believes?
When I am entombed in hopelessness, may I hear the voice of Jesus, as Lazarus did. Let me hear those words he uttered at Lazarus’ grave: “Unbind him, and let him go.”
Stations of the Cross
You are Invited to join us for the Stations of the Cross on Monday 3 April.
This year our school Holy Week Liturgy will focus on the 'Stations of the Cross'. Our Year 5/6 students will taking part in a role play of the 14 stations of the cross with guidance from our Performing Arts teacher, Amanda Hill. We will be recontextualising the stations with an indigenous perspective.
This will be held in the school hall on Monday, 3 April, at various times, between 9am and 11am. We hope that you are able to attend.
Sacramental Program - First Eucharist
| Event: | When: | Where: |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment Masses | Saturday 18 March at 6pm OR Sunday 19 March at 9:45 am or 11:15 am (You only need to attend one of these masses)
| St John's Church |
| Breadmaking Day | Wednesday May 10 at 11:45am- 1:45pm (A letter will be sent home to ask for Parent Helpers) | At School |
Year 4 Mass in preparation for Eucharist and Reconciliation (Parents are welcome) | Tuesday, May 9 at 10am
| St John's Church |
| First Eucharist Ceremony | Saturday, 13 May – 2:00pm St John’s Students and Thursday Program | St John's Church |
Melinda Buscema