Dear Parents and Caregivers
Following Pentecost, we enter into the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. During this Season we celebrate many significant Feast Days. Over the coming fortnight the Church celebrates the feasts of The Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, The Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Holy Trinity
The Feast of The Holy Trinity on Sunday 30 May, invited us to reflect on the many ways that Father, Son and Spirit have been present within our own lives. This central mystery of faith and expression of God’s love, Jesus’ Love and the Love of the Holy Spirit is intended to be lived out, and in the process, extended to others.
Corpus Christi
Every Mass is a celebration of the Eucharist and the Feast of Corpus Christi on Sunday 6 June, reminds Christians of what they are called to do at Mass. The Eucharist is a mystery at the heart of the Catholic faith. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we are reminded to celebrate what we believe, to live what we believe and to do our best to become what we believe - Christlike.
Buddy Gathering
On Monday 24 May, we gathered for a whole school Mass to celebrate Our Lady Help of Christians and 200 Years of Catholic Education. Fr Paul and Deacon Anthony presided for this significant celebration and the children actively participated throughout all four parts of the Mass. Following the celebration, Fr Paul and Deacon Anthony were invited as guests to join us for morning tea. Buddy activities were also a hit, with students engaging in a variety of arts and crafts throughout the remainder of the morning. A special thank you once again to all our registered Catholic volunteers who supported our Preschool to Year 1 students for their walk to Bridge Street.
Confirmation
On Tuesday 25 May, we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Gregory O’Kelly SJ, Fr Paul, Fr Eka, Fr Stan and Fr Paul. Eleven Year 4 students and two Year 5 students confirmed their Baptismal vowels with the full support of their sponsors, families, friends, parish and our school. In his homily, Bishop O’Kelly spoke about the significance of the confirmation names that they had chosen, as both an example and an inspiration that they could draw on throughout their own lives. We congratulate all who were Confirmed on the evening and we especially thank Bishop O’Kelly and Norwood Parish for such a memorable and child centred celebration.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The next sacramental program will be the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The first meeting will be held in the first week of Term 3 on Tuesday 20 July at 7pm in the Parish Hall. A second meeting and combined rehearsal will be held on Tuesday 24 August in Week 6 at 7pm. The Liturgy of the Word for The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held later that week on Friday 27 August in St Ignatius Church at 7pm.
Term 2 Bridge Street Liturgies
On Friday 28 May our two Reception classes were joined by Fr Paul in the Bridge Street Library for a Liturgy of the Word. The students read beautifully and sung each song with joyful voices and actions. The theme of the Liturgy was "Families and Jesus’ Mother Mary." Fr Paul engaged the students in a conversation about their mothers and why our ‘mums,’ are so special to us. The two remaining Liturgies for Term 2, will be the Preschool Liturgy on Friday 11 June at 9:15am and the Year 1 Liturgy on Friday 18 June at 9:15am. Parents are welcome to attend both of these upcoming celebrations of the Word.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Matthew Harrison
Acting APRIM