APMI News
….experiencing FAITH in the Mercy Tradition
Dear families
Congratulations to Fr Michael on celebrating his jubilee of 25 years of priesthood! What a wonderful milestone. Mr Hannant and myself were fortunate to be there to celebrate Mass with all the jubilarians. Bishop Ken reminded us that being a Priest is not about being perfect, it is about embracing the weakness and strengths of humanity. Fr Michael is a living example of this. He serves our community by bringing the Gospel to life for us all through his words and actions. Thank you Fr Michael for your dedication and service to, not only the parishioners and families in the Toowoomba diocese, but to our entire school community. You teach us that to be like Jesus, we must humbly serve everyone we meet.
This special celebration directly links to Pope Francis’ message for World Mission Sunday, “to go out and extend invitations to everyone for the feast.” It is an opportunity for us to open our hearts and minds to each and to join those on mission who serve and support those who need essential social services in Mongolia. Catholic Mission are working alongside the Mongolian Church to further develop programs such as The House of Mercy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. To support the appeal this year, your financial support would be appreciated. If you’re able to give to this appeal, head to the online portal at www.catholicmission.org.au/mongolia Thank you in advance. Thank you to Rose, Aya, Estelle, Scarlett, Deborah and Erin (Year 6 leaders) who spoke at Mass last weekend. These mission ambassadors launched the appeal by speaking to each congregation appealing for their support. Well done girls! You represented SSPS with pride and we appreciate it.
Our students will take part in the awareness program as part of World mission month, called “Socktober’. You can read all about it at https://www.socktober.org.au/
What is Socktober? Socktober for Mission Month cultivates the passion of students to rise up, engage their local community, and take action against poverty through the world game of soccer. It provides young people in Australia with the opportunity to lead in mission, encouraging them to think not only of what they will do to help, but why they will do it. Each class will design and create a soccer ball by only using socks, plastic bags and string. It is a simple and creative way to bring people together through sport by sharing a simple item that represents a soccer ball.
Pencils for PNG – Huge thank you to Orla and Lotte McDonald (along with their parents) for initiating and supporting a whole school service activity for the Schindler school in Papua New Guinea. In a short time, the school has donated pencils, the McDonald family donated stickers and our students have labelled the pencils ready to be delivered to the school this week! Travel safely girls and we look forward to seeing photos of our new friends at the Schindler school using their new pencils!
Don’t forget to wear red for our “Day for Daniel” Friday 25th October! Thank you for your support.
Thanks for reading,
Ann-Maree Ward (Assistant Principal – Mission & Identity)