Celebrating our Faith - Stephanie Colvin
Be More Prayer
God of all peoples and nations,
As you accompany us on our Lenten journey,
May our fasting strengthen our commitment to live in solidarity,
Our almsgiving be an act of justice, and
Our prayers anchor us in love and compassion.
Through living simply and loving generously,
May we care for our global family and our common home, as we
“Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
-Saint Oscar Romero
Beginning of New School Year Liturgy
Our community gathered last Thursday 11th February to celebrate the beginning of the school year and pray for God’s blessing for the year ahead. At the end of the liturgy, we inducted our Student Leaders for 2021. Congratulations to our Student Leaders who were presented with their badges. It was wonderful to see the parents and family of these student leaders and celebrate as a whole school.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday this week, our school community gathered in the Hall for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy as we commenced the season of Lent. We thank Mrs McMillan, Ms McCalden and Year 4 for their organisation of the liturgy and Fr Peter for presiding. During the liturgy, we also launched our Project Compassion social justice fundraiser. We highlighted the theme BE MORE. Each class received a donation box for Caritas Australia and we invite the children to participate in Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Project Compassion – Caritas Australia
This week the season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.
We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each class had a Project Compassion box where the children are encouraged to donate small change. You can also donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au
Saint Oscar Romero is our inspiration for Project Compassion 2021, so in his words let’s “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”
Who does Caritas help?
We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about the story of Jamila and her family. Jamila, 22, is a Rohingya woman, living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. A single mother, she fled armed conflict in Myanmar to save herself, her elderly mother and eight-month-old baby.
With the support of Caritas Australia, through Caritas Bangladesh, Jamila was able to access emergency food and shelter. She also received counselling, emotional support and learnt sewing skills, to help her earn an income. Jamila now feels less alone, with a sense of community around her. She is able to ‘Be More’ to her little family.
- 860,494 people remain in the densely populated camps, in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, especially due to COVID-19.
Watch a short film about Jamila’s story here.
“Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”
Sacramental Program Information 2021
The 2021 Parish Sacramental Program (Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion) is soon beginning. This year the preparation for sacraments is fully online. Baptised children in Years 4-6 are invited to complete the program. The first step towards involving your child in the sacramental process is to register your interest by completing the online form HERE or contacting the Parish Office on 4979 1101. Once you enrol, you will receive an information packet, which will then assist you to log into MOODLE, which contains all the information about the program, and sign-up forms for the ceremonies. Support is available for parents during this program 7 days per week.
The school is also here to support families during this time. Please contact class teachers or Miss Colvin (REC) if you have any questions.
If you registered for the 2020 Program your enrolment will be carried forward and you will be contacted in the next week. The program will officially commence on March 1st. If you would like to be part of the program, please enrol prior to February 28.
Important Dates (You only need to attend one for each sacrament):
RECONCILATION:
- Tuesday 16 March @ 5:30pm in St Joseph’s Church, The Junction
- Tuesday 16 March @ 6pm in St Joseph’s Church, The Junction
- Tuesday 16 March @ 6:30pm in St Joseph’s Church, The Junction
- Wednesday 17 March @ 6pm in St Peter-in-Chains, Stockton
- Tuesday 23 March@ 5:30pm in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton
- Tuesday 23 March@ 6pm in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton
- Tuesday 23 March@ 6:30pm in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton
- Wednesday 24 March @ 6pm in Christ the King, Mayfield
CONFIRMATION:
- Tuesday 18 May @ 7pm, with Bishop Bill at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Wednesday 19 May @ 7pm, with Bishop Bill at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Tuesday 25 May @ 7pm, with Bishop Bill at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Wednesday 26 May @ 7pm, with Fr Andrew at Sacred Heart Cathedral
FIRST COMMUNION:
- 5 June at Christ the King Mayfield
- 6 June at St Peter in Chains
- 6 June at St Joseph’s The Junction at 9am
- 6 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 9:30am
- 6 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 5pm
- 19 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 5:30pm
- 20 June at Tighes Hill at 8am
- 20 June at St Joseph’s The Junction at 9am
- 20 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 9:30am
- 20 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 9:30am
Upcoming Dates
- St Joseph’s Day– Our school feast day will be celebrated on Friday 19th March beginning with a liturgy under the COLA at 10:30am. Fun class activities and tabloids will follow after lunch, so children will wear their sport uniform. More information to come.
- Harmony Day 21st March – will be celebrated at school on Wednesday 24th March where the students will be invited to wear orange, rainbow colours or personal traditional cultural dress. More information to come.
Please see the Parish Bulletin for more details and registration for Masses in our area - https://www.newcastlecatholic.org.au/weekly-bulletins/