From the APRE desk

Dear Parents and carers

As the year draws towards a close, there are many events to celebrate and look forward to. 

One of those events was a special Baptism! Congratulations to Caitlin (3S) & Liam (Prep H) on beginning their Sacramental journey last Friday. Both these students were Baptised by Fr Michael at a beautiful ceremony with their families, teachers and class mates. Thank you to Mrs Smith for organising a wonderful morning. If you’ve been considering having your child Baptised, please make contact with myself (ph 4637 1555) or Fr Michael (Ph 4637 1500) to make arrangements.

St Patrick’s Parish Sacramental Program will start at the beginning of 2024. We plan to prepare for, and celebrate, the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Communion in the first two terms of the school year. Our program begins with Parent Information Sessions outlining the structure and background of the sacraments. The Parish will require a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate. All the information has been sent home with the students in Year 3, however, if your child is in Years 4-6 they are also invited to take part. Again, contact myself or Fr Michael for further information.

Thank you to the students, families and staff who came to our final School/Parish Mass on the weekend. The parishioners are always so happy to see the children involved in the Mass and Children’s Liturgy is a great opportunity to share Bible stories in a smaller group setting. We look forward to welcoming so many more of our students and families at next year’s Masses.

World day of the poor – Sunday 19 November The following link here will take you to the message of His Holiness, Pope Francis, for the World day of the Poor. Pope Francis urges everyone to work toward providing free healthcare, medical examinations, vaccinations, and bill payment assistance to those in need. In Rome, the 2023 World Day of the Poor will be hosted by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. A lunch with the poor will be offered by Hilton Hotels in Italy and will take place in the Paul VI Hall after the Eucharistic celebration. The Dicastery for the Service of Charity will also offer free medical care to those in need through the Mother of Mercy Outpatient Clinic, in St. Peter's Square. About 50 medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, will be available on the day. Wow! Pope Francis is really putting those words in action by providing those services for the poor. What way can we show mercy to those in need this Christmas?

As we head towards the end of term, our resilience levels can be pushed to their limits, both for students and adults. A couple of links that I thought you might find useful are listed below from Rebecca Sparrow. Over the past 25 years Rebecca has earned a living as a travel writer, a television publicist, a marketing executive, a magazine editor, a TV scriptwriter, a radio producer, a newspaper columnist and as an author. She is the author of three best-selling novels. Since 2009 Rebecca has focused on writing non-fiction books for teenage girls to help them navigate those tricky high school years. Having a teenager daughter, myself, I think this advice is practical and useful. Hope you do too.

https://rebeccasparrow.com/learning-to-handle-failure/ & https://rebeccasparrow.com/look-for-the-glitter/

Below is part of recently written exert by TCS Education Officer Mission and Identity, Mr Paul Grealy. I’ve read “Lola in the Mirror”, and I can highly recommend it. Paul describes the importance of being able to see others in a different light and take the chance to see someone for who they and not what appear to be when we judge them.

“Lola in the Mirror” – quest for identity – Who am I?

“…When you are no one you can be anyone…. There are some people in this world, she said, who will do anything to be seen.” (p 381)

Trent Dalton’s latest novel Lola in the Mirror, based on his experiences as a journalist in Brisbane, delivers us into the lives of those invisible people of our city and towns: the houseless (not homeless), sleeping rough. Those on the edge - an edge about to become the centre of the 2032 Olympics, which will displace them. To Dalton’s character, who is nameless, it is only when someone turns to the other in love that they are really seen as who they are: 'You saw me'. This requires each of us to take that loving first step.

Lola’s community - on the edge, discarded by society - knew in its soul that it only survived because of the risk-taking of individuals to take the time to stop and have that loving look.

So, this weekend take some time. Grab a copy of “Lola in the Mirror”, curl up and have a luxurious read; or sit on the veranda; pray with your community; or simply be present with those you love in quiet, reflective appreciation. Remember to keep Holy the Sabbath … EX 20:8) - dedicate time to those people and things that are important so that you rejoice in living a life overflowing in peace and love. Written by Paul Grealy M&I EO, TCSO

Have a great couple of weeks ahead. 

Thanks for reading,

Ann-Maree