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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Children's Prayer for Lent
Loving God,
Help us to work together
to share what we have
so that everyone has what they need.
Help us to build a better world
where each of us can become the best person we can be.
Amen
Shrove Tuesday: A big thank you to all our helpers yesterday for our Annual Shrove Tuesday pancake day. The students love this event and really appreciate your time and effort. Thank you to Annette Bakker for her time and organisation to make this event a success.
Ash Wednesday: Today we had our Ash Wednesday Mass. We have families from many faiths at our school and many must wonder about this ceremony where we have a cross of ash put on our foreheads. The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebrations. Ashes have long been a symbol of Death and Repentance. The use of ashes on Ash Wednesday can be traced back over 1000 years in various forms, originally they were thrown over the heads of men while they were put on women's forehead because their heads were covered. There is no rule that they have to remain on all day but many people leave them on as a symbol to others.
Staffing News: You may have noticed that our Deputy Principal Laura Graham is pregnant. She will be going on maternity leave in term's two and three. During this time Michelle Ristovski will return to a full time Deputy Principal Role, she currently does this role part time. We are currently advertsing for her replacement in the Year 4 classroom for her teaching days. When we have an appointment we will let families know.
Year 5 Camp. We are not far away from our first camp for the year with our Year 5 students heading away next week. I will be spending Monday with them and will be away from school. It is a great chance for the students to connect, take risks and have fun. The camp is at Candlebark Farm Healesville
God Bless
Anthony
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel – Sunday 19th February 2023
Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Introducing the Charism Team for 2023
Congratulations to Caitlin Andrews, Natalia Penna, Raquel Rojas Julian, Emilia Myzska, Patrick McKellar and Aila Semple on being selected for their role as Charism Team leaders for 2023. They have already stepped into their role as school leaders by helping the parents with the Pancake Day celebrations. I look forward to working with this amazing team. I know they have so much to offer St Mary’s as a school and community
Project Compassion
‘Working together for justice and dignity. Walking together in hope. Building together a thriving future for all.’
Caritas Australia is an international aid and development agency of the Australian Catholic Church.
They strive to seek social justice and dignity for every person.
They work with local communities in Australia and overseas, listening to concerns and assessing the needs of communities.
With help, compassion and our support, Caritas hopes to work towards a world where all people may thrive!
In every classroom there is a project compassion box. During this time of Lent, the children are being encouraged to be compassionate and think of others in need. As part of our Lenten journey we think of those less fortunate and consider ways we can help.
We would like to fill the boxes as much as we can - ways the children can contribute are:
- Put some of their pocket money into the box.
- Choose to donate icy pole money.
- If the children have given up a treat - try and donate the cost, so the children can see their abstaining is benefiting someone else.
You will see posters around the school encouraging participation, but also letting you know what the school’s contributions will support!
Shrove Tuesday
I would like to say a big thank you to Annette Bakker for organising today’s Pancake Day celebrations. Thank you too to all the volunteers who helped set up, cook and serve the pancakes yesterday.
‘Pancake Day’ has been a long standing P&F event at St Mary’s that brings a lot of joy to children. An event like this needs a lot of parent support, so again a BIG THANK YOU to all the parents who volunteered their time on Tuesday.
I am pleased to announce that this year we raised an amazing $287.80 to donate to Project Compassion.
Some important Dates to Remember for Term 1
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Seniors Mass - Yr 5 attending |
3rd March |
11:30 am |
Church |
Feast of St Joseph - led by Yr 4 |
17th March |
9:15 |
Church |
Sacramental Program 2023
All dates and times for the Sacrament Masses are outlined in the table below. Year 4 and Year 6 students will be making their Eucharist and Confirmation as a class this year. Early in Term 2 we will open the ‘booking online’ for parents in Year 3 to make a time for their child to make their Reconciliation.
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
Reconciliation |
2 |
Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st, Friday 23rd June Time: 4:00-6:00 and Saturday 24th June Time: 10:00-12:00 am |
Church |
Will need to book a time early in Term 2 |
Eucharist - Year 4RM |
2 |
Sunday 28th May 10:30 am |
Church |
No booking required |
Eucharist - Year 4H |
2 |
Sunday 4th June 10:30 am |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 6D |
3 |
Tuesday 22nd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 6B |
3 |
Wednesday 23rd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Information Sessions for the Sacramental Program
Sacrament |
Date and Time |
Location |
Presenter |
Reconciliation - Students and parents |
Wednesday 24th May 7:00 pm |
School Hall |
Maria Forde |
Eucharist - students and parents |
Wednesday 10th May 7:00 pm |
School Hall |
Denise Arnel |
Confirmation |
Thursday 20th July 6:30 pm |
School Hall |
Fr Elio Capra |
Altar Servers
Any student in Years 3, 4, 5 or 6 who would like to train as an Altar server, please contact with Fr Greg at greg.trythall@cam.org.au or Mrs Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au.
Training will be organised by Fr Greg. Fr Greg will also put together a roster which he will share with families.
Captain Roles 2023
Congratulations to the following students
House Captains
Winella |
Portland |
Bayview |
Penola |
Max Axiak |
Eliza Sagona |
Flynn Jarrott |
Claudia Lofting |
Stephanie Mitchell |
Edison Lehocz |
Sofia Brogna |
Ava Beckton |
Charism Captains
Aila Semple Caitlin Andrews Patrick McKellar Emelia Myszka Natalia Penna Raquel Rojas Julian |
Sustainability Captains
Emily Bracken Alyssa Spiteri Matthew Cross Chloe Dimotrovski |
Clean Up Australia Day for St. Mary’s School
St Mary’s School is proud to do their part in helping the environment by participating in the annual Clean Up Australia Day on Friday 3rd March.
Students, with their teachers, will be assigned areas around our local area and school to help clean up.
Prep- Inside the school Perimeter
Year 1/2- Maclean Reserve and the outside perimeter of the school
Year 3- Dennis Reserve
Year 4- Commonwealth Reserve
Year 5 - Botanic Gardens
Year 6- Down Cole Street along the beach
Students will be participating at different times throughout the day to suit each year level’s learning program.
Remember: Students will need to bring to school a pair of gloves from home for the day.
Teachers will also ensure that all hands are washed and sanitised at the end of the clean up.
Easter Raffle
The Easter Raffle is on again this year. Donations of chocolate eggs, Easter related toys etc can be left at the office. Please no alcohol. More information will be sent home soon
Last week we held the opening College Mass at the Notre Dame Campus. The St Paul’s Campus students and staff travelled to the campus by bus and we enjoyed a welcoming mass as one community, where new College Principal, Dr Janine Biggin, was officially welcomed. Many thanks to Arch Priest Kalka and Fr Binh who presided over the mass.
We also welcomed our families of our Year 7 students along to a pastoral evening last week. Many families came along and enjoyed hearing about life in Year 7.
The Year 7s from St Paul’s had a terrific day at their athletics carnival held at Newport Athletics Track. There were many outstanding efforts and excellent sportsmanship was on display from the competitors as well as the supporters cheering them on.
Our first College experience opportunity is fast approaching, with the Meet the Principal event coming up in early March. Bookings are essential for this event and can be made via the College website and clicking the Tours & Events tab on the right-hand side of the homepage www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au Details are as follows;
St Paul’s Campus - Thursday 2 March, 2023 - Commencing at 9.15 am
We look forward to seeing you at the College soon.