APMI News
….experiencing FAITH in the Mercy Tradition
Dear Families
This week sees the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time to stop and reflect. It is a time to be still, to take stock, to re-evaluate our lives and the people we are becoming. It is a time to reflect upon how we can make a difference, especially to the people around us.
To mark the start of Lent, on Wednesday we held our school Ash Wednesday Liturgy for students in Year 3 -6 and Fr Michael visited the classes from Prep – Yr 2 to speak with them about how no one is perfect. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses; that’s what makes us special. We make mistakes and we learn from that and grow to become even more amazing and unique. In recognizing our faults, we make room for growth. Ash Wednesday reminds us of the power of forgiveness.
A Reflection for you and your family
Every great journey needs a good map! God has given us one – the Bible. It shows us how to live with love, honesty, and kindness. But what happens if we take a wrong turn? Maybe we hurt someone with our words, tell a lie, or take something that isn’t ours. That’s when we need to stop, check the map, and find our way back. The good news? Jesus is always ready to guide us! This week, be a traveller who follows the right path! Be honest, be kind, and help others along the way. If you lose your way, don’t give up – God’s map will lead you home.
Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. Jesus invites us to have a ‘change of heart’.
Our school Captains and Vice Captains will represent our school at the diocesan Mass this Sunday 9am at St Patrick’s Cathedral. All are welcome! This Mass celebrates the launch of Project Compassion, the annual Lenten program which raises awareness and funds for those who live in poverty. This Lent, Caritas Australia's Project Compassion invites us to Unite Against Poverty and take action to make a lasting difference. Our school is taking part in Project Compassion – it is our key focus and fundraiser for Term 1. Each class has been given their own Project Compassion box into which any cash donations can be made right up until the end of term. There’ll be a class prize for the students who raise the most money. Who will it be?
We pray this Lent for a deeper trust in God’s plan.
May our commitment to prayer, fasting and almsgiving awaken within us a hunger for justice and compassion.
May the Jubilee year remind us of our need for a fresh start.
May our work for Project Compassion help us to Unite Against Poverty. Amen
Local artist Kim Walmsley will be here at school next week on Tuesday 11th March from 1pm to work with students to design and paint our yarning circle. We want to hear your voice so that we can collaborate on ideas as to how we can best have this space reflect who we are as a community and in particular, those students who are First Australians. Email your thoughts and suggestions to ann-maree.ward@twb.catholic.edu.au Thank you for giving this your time and consideration.
Have a peace and grace filled week. Be sure to do one thing that fills your cup and brings you joy.
Thanks for reading,
Ann-Maree Ward (Assistant Principal – Mission & Identity)