Message from Acting Principal
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Today, Ash Wednesday, begins the most significant period in the Church’s liturgical calendar – the 90 days of the Lent and Easter period.
The Church teaches us that Lent is a time of prayer, fasting (self-denial) and alms giving (works of charity).
What does this look like in our daily lives?
Firstly, set aside some extra time to talk to God. It could be on your own, with your family, or on Sunday at Mass.
Next, complete some form of fasting, which is an act of self-denial. Bishop Brian has shared with us a reminder of the fasting and abstinence rules for during Lent:
▪ All who have completed their 18th year and have not yet begun their 60th year are bound to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
▪ All who have completed their 14th year are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
How else can you fast this lent?
- Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
- Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
- Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
- Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
- Fast from worries and trust in God.
- Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
- Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
- Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
- Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
- Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
- Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
Finally, alms-giving is completing some form of charitable act. The students each have a Project Compassion box in their classroom and this is always a good way to support those less fortunate than ourselves.
Next week, 1-7 March, is Catholic Schools Week. A wonderful time to celebrate the amazing Catholic School you and your children are a part of and the diversity and uniqueness of Catholic Education. Catholic Schools Week also marks the beginning of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong’s enrolment period.
Our community will be involved in three special events during Catholic School’s Week:
Firstly, we will have an open afternoon on Monday from 3 – 5pm for all prospective families. Families will be taken on a tour of the school by our wonderful Captains and all their questions will be answered. If you know any family, who have children beginning school next year, please let them know to come along on Monday afternoon, have a look and see how amazing our school is and pick up an enrolment package.
On Thursday evening, staff will attend the Diocesan Education Mass in Wollongong. This is a wonderful experience, for all staff across the Diocese, to come together to worship.
Our final event will take place on Friday for all our existing families. It will commence at 12pm with open classrooms, where families can join their children to share an amazing Religious Story Telling and response experience in the classroom. Families are then invited to share lunch with their children and finish the afternoon at a Catholic Schools Week assembly, led by Year 6.
Please come along and join us.
LifeLine in collaboration with CatholicCare is hosting this FREE 3 hour training on suicide awareness and how to speak to someone about suicide if you think they could be at risk. The evening is designed for parents, but any adult in our community is welcome to attend.
Date & Time: Wednesday 18th of March 2020, 5.30pm-8.30pm
Location: CatholicCare Campbelltown - 35A Cordeaux St, Campbelltown. Street Parking available.
Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided
Please see the flyer included in the Newsletter for more information.
Tomorrow evening I have the privilege of attending the Diocesan Welcome Dinner for all new staff in our Diocese. I will share the evening with four staff members from our school, who are new to our Diocese: Mr Matt McCormack, Mr Joshua Naverrate, Mrs Mikayla Fielding and Miss Ana Kristo.
Next week we welcome back our principal, Mr Phil Barrington and look forward to hearing all about his amazing experiences at the LA Congress.
Mrs Joanne MacFetters
Acting Principal