Dear Families,

Last weekend some children in Year 4 commenced preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. This first formation session is part of the preparation for these Sacraments. There are three main components to any sacramental program:

1. Religious Education program taught at school - the Year 4 teachers deliver a specific sacramental program to all Year 4 students, teaching them about the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist and the history of these sacraments in the Church.
2. Formation Sessions - Two formation sessions are held with parents. These sessions are prepared by the Religious Education Coordinator and delivered by the REC and one of the Year 4 teachers. Parents are also involved in these sessions to show that that parents and the school work together to support the children’s understanding of the sacraments and to help develop their faith.
3. At home lessons - These lessons are prepared by the REC but delivered by parents. As the first educators of their children, it is important that children see that their parents support their faith journey including the Sacramental Rites within the church. This can include parents talking about their own journey.

The parish, including the school, to pray for these students during this period.

On Sunday, a Commissioning Mass was held for pilgrims going to World Youth Day in Lisbon. Mrs McPadden will be travelling as part of this group. She flies out on Wednesday and will spend a week in Portugal and another week in Dubai attending a retreat. I wish her all the very best for her journey.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students presented a wonderful prayer celebration on Friday afternoon to celebrate NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week generally occurs during the term break, so we celebrate it at school the first week back for Term 3. This year the theme was focusing on Elders. This theme ties in beautifully with the feast day of St Anne and St Joachim, the parents of Mary mother of Jesus. And also with our upcoming Grandparents Day this Friday. I look forward to welcoming grandparents and special guests to join us at 10.30 in the church followed by lunch on the oval and courtyard.

Next week we welcome our new counsellor, Sally Cox. Unfortunately, Vrushali had to finish up at St Thomas Aquinas for family reasons. Sally will begin to contact new families in the coming weeks. She will work on Thursdays and Fridays this term and Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays next term.

Take care and God bless