APRE NEWS
Dear Parents and Carers,
" Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." Saint Teresa of Calcutta
At the Launch of Project Compassion at Mass last Sunday, Catherine McLeer, our Diocesan CARITAS Director concluded her reflection with these words of St Teresa. As we commence our Lenten journey, these words help us to focus on the theme of 2020 Project Compassion, "Go further together".
At school, all students have been introduced/ reminded of the work of CARITAS, which works around the world with local partners to offer hope to people most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice. Students have heard the story of Shirley from the Philippines.....
** Around 2.8 million children in the Philippines do not go to school.*
Shirley was struggling to support her family and keep her children in school. She faced regular discrimination and disadvantage, limiting her family’s access to food, education, employment and healthcare.
With Caritas Australia’s support, Shirley trained to become an indigenous health worker. She has learnt to supplement her income and is able to feed her family. The program has also empowered Shirley to send her children to school.
Let’s Go Further, Together! Please support the Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au
Over the next few weeks we, as a school will be doing some "awareness" activities and also some fundraising. We thank you in anticipation of your support.
ASH WEDNESDAY, combined liturgy with the College: Yesterday, we were delighted to host the College community who joined with our Yrs 2-6 students for a simple Ash Wednesday liturgy. Fr Hal and Fr Michael reminded us of the significance of Lent as a time to prepare well for Easter...a time to become a little more like Jesus. How can we do this? Of course there are many ways, but technically it is said that Lent is a time for praying, fasting and almsgiving. The one that is hardest, seems to be fasting as we are supposed to do without something, but that "something" can be lots of things. For the students, it might be that instead of an iceblock/ slushie etc that money is donated to project compassion. It could be that they "give up" lollies/ chocolate/ icecream OR as Pope Francis has said...
- Fast from hurting words and say kind things
- Fast from anger and be filled with patience
- Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others
- Fast from words and be silent so you can listen
Pope Francis is a very wise man. I hope his words might help you to discuss what your children are doing as part of their preparation for Easter.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM: Cluster groups are well underway, taking place on Sunday mornings (10:15am) and Thursdays (3:30pm). Over the next few weeks we will be organising photos of the children that will be displayed in the cathedral. A reminder that the sacrament of Reconciliation takes place on Friday March 20 at 6pm OR Saturday March 21 at 10:30am.
St Savoiur's Primary Choir singing at Mass last Sunday.
Some Key Dates (Religious Life of the School):
March 10- Year 3 Prayer Gathering
March 15- Term 1 School/ Parish Mass at 9am
March 16- St Patrick's Day Assembly, (Yr 3 leading)
March 23- Harmony Day Assembly, (Yr 2 leading) + Cultural Dress/ Free Dress
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Judy