Dear Parents, Guardians and Community, 

What’s On This Week

First Reconciliation - Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Morning

Upcoming Events

First Reconciliation - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday Morning

Monday, June 9 - School Closure Public Holiday
Tuesday, June 10 – School Closure Day: Faith Formation
Tuesday, June 17 – Athletics Carnival
Sunday, June 22 – Poetry Slam at Williamstown Town Hall, 1:30pm
Tuesday, July 1 – Year 5/6 Shark Tank, 6:30pm
Friday, July 4 – End of Term: School finishes at 1:30pm 

Friday August 29 - School Disco!!!

This week we remember the students who are celebrating their First Reconciliation. They have spent many weeks learning about the Sacrament in preparation. Each child has an individual time where their family comes together to pray and support them at their Sacrament. It is a special time for them and their family. Thank you to all involved in their preparation

This weekend is a long weekend with the King's Birthday public holiday on the Monday. The Tuesday is a school closure day as we come together as a staff for our Faith Formation. Our theme for the day is 'Leading Prayer.' Our staff are being led by Denise Arnel to become better leaders of prayer for our students and each other.  Part of the day will be led by Denise, with the rest of the day being our teams working together to plan how to use what they have learnt into action.

After School Care: MACSEYE have now supplied the school with more details about after school care. Please see below for some more details including costs, and use this link to go to the booking system and other details Enrolment Link. Macseye visited the school recently to check out our facilities and to discuss staffing. We are hoping some of our current staff will be able to continue with our service.

Enjoy the long weekend

God Bless

Anthony

St Mary’s Faith News

 School and Parish Connections

Gospel:  Luke 24: 46-53

While blessing them, he was taken to heaven

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.

‘And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.’ Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God.

 Sacramental Program 2025

This week, the children in Year 3 have begun making the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At St Mary’s, this is a very personal and meaningful event, celebrated with immediate family members.

The children have been beautifully prepared and have shown great maturity, especially in the way they introduced their family members to Fr Greg.

A heartfelt thank you to the teachers, Monique, the Pastoral coordinator for the Parish, and all the parents for their guidance and support in helping the children prepare for this important milestone in their faith journey.

There are still a couple of children waiting for their turn and we keep them in our prayers.

Eucharist and Confirmation

Instruction will be conducted through the Parish with the Support of Mrs Lipnicki

If you child is in Year 4 and is yet to make their “First Eucharist” please contact Mrs Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au.

Likewise if your child is in Year 6 and is yet to make their “Confirmation” please contact Mrs Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au

School Closure Day

Tuesday 10th June

Please note that Tuesday, 10th June will be a pupil-free day as all staff will be attending a full day of Professional Development.

The focus of the day will be Religious Education, specifically on leading prayer, guided by Denise Arnell. Denise will introduce staff to different forms of prayer such as Lectio Divina and Visio Divina, encouraging a more reflective and contemplative approach to prayer.

This day builds on the success of previous RE focus days, our current school prayer is one such outcome. The aim is for staff to develop the skills and confidence to design and lead meaningful prayer experiences with students, moving beyond traditional recited prayers.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

School Masses

Term 2

At the family Masses, families sit together.

CONGRATULATIONS AND SOME EXCITING NEWS

Last week we sent $4,276.15 to Australian Caritas from our Lenten annual appeal for Project Compassion -$1,297.50 of such was from the work accomplished by both the children and our school parents to help some of the neediest of our world.

On to the exciting news -  following on from all of the celebrations around the new Pope Leo, we have already had in the last four weeks three adult men between 30- 45 years of age who wish to look seriously at the Catholic faith.

If there are any other school parents who wish to join me at the start of several sessions on the Catholic faith, then please feel free to come to my presbytery at 7pm Tuesday June 10^th. Our sessions are mainly Tuesday night, and the duration is always one hour at the latest. We cover all types of topics from prayer, the bible, history of the Church, the moral life, to sacraments and social justice. Your welcome to ring me about the above if you wish to clarify anything – 0400524363 or greg.trythall@cam.org.au

During our sessions there is no obligation or pressure at any stage to become a Catholic, but all the essentials are covered in order that a person can make what they believe is the right decision.

Yours sincerely

Fr Greg