APRE News

Dear Parents and Carers,

                      Welcome to Spring and the Season of Creation

In 2015, Pope Francis declared the Season of Creation which is an annual time of “prayer and action for our common home”. The Season of Creation begins on September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, continuing through to October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi who is the patron saint of the Environment.

This time has evolved into an annual ecumenical initiative to encourage Christians and other interested groups to work together through prayer, practical action on sustainability and advocacy, to make a difference to the Earth. Listen to the Voice of Creation has been chosen as the theme for 2022, with the associated symbol of “The Burning Bush” in which Moses encounters God. (Exodus 3:1-12)This theme is a particularly appropriate one for significant reasons! God proclaims to Moses from the bush that “you are standing on holy ground” (3:4), reminding us that this is how we are called to view our precious, but increasingly vulnerable planet. The “burning bush” is also a stark symbol for Australians of the devastating impact of unconfronted climate change, experienced so tragically in the past few years of raging bushfires and other environmental disasters.

Last Friday, as part of our CTJ (Pupil Free Day), SSPS staff gathered with staff from Holy Name to share best practice that has been in evidence in both schools as we both continue with the Illuminate Program (RE) and the Ignite Program (Teaching and Learning). At the start of the day, we took time to reflect and share this prayer.

Fount of Wisdom, your voice speaks to us just as you honoured Moses. 
Continue to remind us of our roles as responsible stewards of our Earth.
May we listen to you and to the voices of those who call out to be heard. Let us journey on together, ever caring for the divine gift of our amazing planet.

Masses:

Last week Year 3 attended the Diocesan Mass, presided by Bishop Robert and attended by representatives from other local catholic schools to celebrate the feast for our Diocesan Patron, Mary of the Southern Cross. 

Year 2 attended the Tuesday Parish Mass at the Cathedral last week and enjoyed sharing their ideas about Mary with the Parents and Parishioners who joined them.

Year 1 attended this week's Parish Mass and had some TCS staff and school principals join them, along with the regular parishioners.

Seeing a Need and Doing Something About it

Thanks again for your generosity earlier in the year when we, together with St Pat's Parish were able to send $1400 to St Carthages School in Lismore which had been most severely affected by the February floods. Recently I was sent some photos of students playing (still on the concrete area rather than the ovals) with the play items which were purchased with some of the funds sent by us. 

I know also that the staff benefited too (probably mentally more than anything) knowing that others were reaching out to help them, at what was and continues to be a very stressful time. Thanks again

Enjoy your weekend,

Regards,

Judy