From the APRE desk
Dear Parents and Carers
We’re in the second week of Lent. How is your Lenten journey going? Feel like you don’t have time to stop and reflect? Finding it difficult to find time to pray, fast and give to those in need? You’re not alone. It is so easy to use the daily busyness as an excuse, and don’t get me wrong, I do that too, however, this Lent, I’m making it a priority and conscious effort to take time at the end of the day (usually when I’m just about to fall asleep!) to think about all the aspects of my day that I’m grateful for. From the fresh autumn air in the cooler mornings, the smell of my morning coffee, to seeing the smiling faces of our students when I speak on assembly and the “Hello Mrs Ward” welcomes I receive each day. Parts of our day, big or small, always have something to offer us. We can find the little reminders that the Holy Spirit is by our side through our daily interactions with others and for that, I’m grateful.
Our Religion focus for the year, is “Mercy Matters;” and this term the focus has been on the house of McAuley. At our assembly in Week 8, Lacey and Grayson (McAuley house leaders) will share with the students the history of our Mercy school, the key contributions made by Catherine McAuley and the importance of being of service to others in our community. Each term as a whole school, we will focus on and learn more about the Cornerstone values and what actions we can take to share the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy. Term 2 will be a focus on Goretti house. We will continue to work together with our students and the wider school community in order to walk in Jesus’ footsteps by serving each other and putting our Mission and Vision into action.
Last Friday, our school leaders took part in the celebration of the World Day of Prayer held at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Sia, Charlotte, Isaac and Jimi were welcomers to the church and gave booklets to visitors. This event was hosted by our Parish church this year and next year it will be held at Middle Ridge Uniting Church. This event takes place every year and has done so since the 1800s. It’s an Ecumenical service where believers of all varying faiths come together and pray for the needs of the world. We learnt about the country of Taiwan, and it’s people. We heard their inspirational stories and prayed for them. It was our pleasure to be part of this prayerful community for the first time and we look forward to be invited to take part again in the future.
Again, thankyou to everyone who supporedt our Shrove Tuesday (Pancake) fundraiser. Over $200 was raised and this donation money is headed to the Sisters of Mercy and in particularly overseas to the Sisters who have a member who works in Cambodia with the Jesuit Refugee Services – Sr Denise Coghlan. One of the ministries that she and the Jesuits promote is the care and provision of assistance to victims of landmines - in particular teens and children. Denise is a Brisbane Sister of Mercy, who with local people hold the Nobel peace prize for their efforts to promote peace in the region. It is our pleasure to be able to support Sr Denise in her work and we look forward to continuing this commitment for many years ahead.
We welcome everyone to join us for our first School/Parish Mass on Sunday 19th March at 9am at St Patrick’s Cathedral. We will have Children’s Liturgy for students in Prep – Yr 3 and light refreshments afterwards. Our choir will be singing and it will be a wonderful morning together. Please reply to the message sent via Sentral on Tuesday to RSVP. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Wellbeing Week in Week 9!
On Wednesday 22nd March our school will take part in Wellbeing day. Students are encouraged to wear their house colours by donating a gold coin which will go to Project Compassion. We will enjoy a shared morning tea to which you’re all invited, and students will sit in their houses on the oval and enjoy time together as a house group. At lunchtime, there will be Teacher/Student handball games taking place. These activities have previously been most enjoyable for everyone involved and we look forward to spending the day checking in on eachother’s wellbeing.
A very practical way YOU can assist us is by being part of our Pastoral Care group for 2023. It is a very important, simple and effective method of contributing to our school community and one which is very much valued and appreciated. If you’re making a lasagne, spaghetti bolognaise, quiche or any type of family meal, please consider making two so that we can store one here at school in the freezer and then we’re able to support our families who are in need. It is the responsibility of each of us to find time in our day to be of service to others. Let’s be positive role models to our students by showing that we can make someone’s day brighter by a simple act of kindness. Thankyou for your support.
Have a great week and thanks for reading!
Ann-Maree
Date claimers!
Week 8 School/Parish Mass – Sunday 19th March @ 9am St Patrick’s Cathedral
Week 9 Wellbeing week – Project Compassion fundraiser on Wednesday 22nd March
Week 10 Cornerstone awards assembly - Wednesday 29th March at 2pm then following on at 2.30pm our Easter Liturgy.