Welcome back to Term 2 and Happy Easter!!

Death of Pope Francis

The death of Pope Francis came as a huge shock to the world on Easter Monday.  As we continue to mourn his loss, we are also grateful for the way in which he led the church in such a positive way over the last 12 years. We continue to pray that the conclave will deliver us a new leader that will serve the church like Pope Francis did. When the conclave begins shortly, we will await the vision of the white smoke to symbolise that a new pope has been elected.

Easter Season – 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost

You may think that Easter is over, but we are currently still in the Easter Season of the Church which lasts for 50 days.  During this time, we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and to celebrate our faith. 

We gathered for an Easter Liturgy last Wednesday to celebrate the resurrections story as a school community.  It was a lovely celebration, and the students participated with so much enthusiasm.

The Gospel reading which was read on Sunday is one of my personal favourites of the Easter season.  This is the story of doubting Thomas. Jesus says to Thomas, “Do you believe because you see me? “How happy are those who believe without seeing me!”  (John 20:24-29)

“Thomas is given the opportunity to be our representative who obtains this evidence. 

He gives witness to us that the Jesus who was raised is the same Jesus who had died.  

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are among those who are blessed for we have not seen and yet have believed.”  (Taken from Loyola Press) 

ANZAC Day Prayer Service

Students and staff gathered on Thursday afternoon to commemorate ANZAC Day – a day on which all Australians remember the sacrifice of those who have died in war. During our school service we remembered the men and women who have been involved in all battles and thanked the armed services who gave of themselves to protect our country and strive for world peace.

During the service, which was lead by our student leaders, we prayed that the strength and courage displayed by the ANZAC soldiers who fought to protect our country, will be with all of us as we strive for peace in our world.  We also heard important messages from RSL representatives, John Mudge MBE and Joshua Dodgson.

(The Ode is from the poem, For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon)

They shall not grow old,

as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun

 and in the morning

We shall remember them.

Lest we Forget

Thank you to those students, parents and staff members who represented our school at the March and Service at the Cenotaph on Friday.

Project Compassion

A huge thankyou to all those students and families who contributed to our Project Compassion appeal during Lent.  Thanks to everyone for your wonderful support of this worthwhile cause.  If you have any collection boxes at home, please bring them in by the end of the week so that we can send our money to Caritas soon.

Mother’s Day

Wishing all our mothers and grandmothers a special day next Sunday, May 11 for Mother’s Day. Blessings to you all for a beautiful day with your families.

Our Year 1 students will celebrate a Mother’s Day Liturgy on Monday, May 12 at 2.15pm to pray for all mothers in our school community.

God bless,

Mary MacCallum