LENT – PROJECT COMPASSION FUN DAY:
Lent continues to be a major focus for us in classrooms and our school in general. Lent, which leads into Holy Week (Week 11) is a most important season in the Catholic calendar. Our students have been challenged to think about the way they live their life and how they can be the best possible people they are called to be. Project compassion is also a big focus during Lent with families asked to donate money to support Caritas Australia. Each week a different story about how Project Compassion supports those in need around the world is shared with the students - you can see this weeks story in Paula's article.
Next Friday (8th April), we will hold our Project Compassion fun day, where we invite students to:
- Wear casual clothes
- A ‘Subway lunch’ is able to be ordered via QKR! (closes 3pm on Monday, April 4)
- Students are asked to bring in their ‘donations’ (be it through QKR! or cions or notes) and we will tally the amount and send it off to Caritas Australia
- Some fun activities will occur throughout the day as well.
COVID UPDATE:
You would have seen some communication from me on Wednesday in regards to the Pupil Free days which have been granted to Catholic Schools in Week 11 (Thursday 14th April) and Week 1 of Term 2 (Monday 2nd May). Our staff will be using these days to continue to plan for Term 2 and the possibilities of further disruption to the learning program. Of course, we are very hopeful that the ‘worst of COVID’ is behind us, but we will be well prepared for whatever might occur.
You will receive a further email from me today in regards to some changes to the way we are reporting COVID cases in classes. Once again, a review by SA Health and CESA around this work has meant some changes have been required. Further information will be provided via email in next day or so.
RAMSEY AVENUE RESERVE UPGRADE:
The Ramsey Avenue Reserve Upgrade is nearing completion! The elements which have been added to the park, as well as the significant work in upgrading the grass space (less noticeable!) has been a great partnership between the Marion Council and Stella Maris – in both a planning and financial sense. As such, we have been invited to join in the fun of the opening and celebration of the upgrade on Thursday April 7th from 3:00 – 4:00pm. If you would like to attend with your kids, please rsvp using this form:
AGM:
On Wednesday night we held a relatively low key Annual General Meeting. It was the first time I have ever conducted an AGM ‘online’ – all went fairly smoothly from a technological point of view. During the meeting we reported on our achievements in 2021. COVID of course took up a lot of our conversation and discussion – but so did the many things we achieved throughout the year. AGM’s are great opportunities to stop and reflect on the achievements of the past year and look to the goals for the future. It is also a chance to thank the many people who make Stella the place it is.
A copy of the AGM Booklet which is packed full of great reading can be obtained in hard copy form via Cathy Lainio in the front office or through an email request.
The AGM is also the time where we ‘renew’ our School Board through retiring and new membership. This year, we had 5 Board members who had come to the end of their 2 year tenure. 3 of these members chose not to re-nominate and so we thank and acknowledge the energy, time and commitment of Lyndon Parry, Bryan Ward and Lisa Green for their time on the Board.
Rachel Miller (Lachlan 4JP and Grace – 2SK) and Tamara Best (Emily 6KH and Brooke 2SK) were -re-elected’ to further 2 year terms and we welcome four new faces to our Board – Luke Northcote (Sam - 3JM and Grace - 6JW), Deb Reynolds (Matilda - 2SK and Harriet - RJB), Paul Durrand (Sarah - 4KZ) and Loretta Cotter (Jed 4KZ).
SAFETY REMINDER - BEFORE SCHOOL DROP OFF:
I know I can sound like a broken record at times, but ensuring that all students at Stella are safe and taking our duty of care responsibilities extremely seriously means that regular reminders about school procedures (and therefore parent procedures) are provided.
Today I remind parents about the fact that our gates are open (and therefore our duty of care to students begins) at 8:15am. This means that until this time, you as parents have full duty of care of your children. I was a touch concerned when I drove into school at around 8:05am the other day to see a number of students already waiting by our back gate to come into school. This number grew considerably by the time I arrived at the gate at 8:10am and while certainly some parents waited until the gates opened before driving off, there were a large number of students waiting without any parent present.
Our 8:15am ‘open time’ is a very generous one, in fact not many schools open their gates earlier than this, and we have opted to do so to support the many working parents who need to be at work earlier than 9:00am. However, it is vital that students are fully supervised at all times. If you need to use our OSHC before school service (i.e prior to 8:15am) then I really encourage you to do so. The cost of this service is very small and it may allow an even earlier drop off for parents. I’d ask that you ensure that if you are at school earlier than 8:15am that you remain present to actively supervise your child until our school gates are open.
Continued thanks.
James
THIRD RECONCILIATION MEETING TUESDAY 5 APRIL, 6.30PM
The third meeting for children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, will be held this coming Tuesday 5 April at 6.30pm in Holy Spirit Church. It is expected that this meeting will run for no more than an hour. At least one parent and the child preparing for the sacrament must attend this meeting.
We are aware that due to various circumstances a few families were unable to make it to our second meeting. We ask that these families stay behind for a short period of time following this meeting so that we can share with you what was covered at the previous meeting.
PROJECT COMPASSION FUN DAY FRIDAY 8 APRIL
On Friday 8 April we will hold a final fundraiser for Project Compassion. Children are encouraged to bring back their project Compassion boxes with any money they have raised during this time. The money from these boxes will be added to a whole school coin line which will then be sent off to Caritas Australia to continue their charitable works.
Children are invited to wear casual clothes on the day and can enjoy a subway special lunch (if they have ordered it) - $1 from each lunch purchased will be donated to Caritas Australia. A number of fun activities will be undertaken throughout the day.
HOLY WEEK AT SCHOOL MONDAY 11 APRIL – WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL & WEDNESDAY 4 MAY
To assist the children to gain a deeper understanding of the Easter Story we will be holding a series of Whole School Easter plays and Stations of the Cross here at school starting on Monday 11 April - Wednesday 13 April and concluding in Term 2, Wednesday 4 May with the celebration of the Resurrection. Each of the plays will be approximately 20 minutes long.
Stations of the Cross will be held throughout the day, 9.00am-2.30pm on Wednesday 13 April.
Please note parents are invited to join us for these services. Please contact your child’s teacher to find out what time the class will be walking the Stations of the Cross on Wednesday 13 April.
Monday 11 April, 9.00am, Palm Sunday Play, Yr 4 JP Class Leading
The children from 4JP will unpack the story of Jesus’ joyful entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Tuesday 12 April, Last Supper Play, 9.00am, Yr 4 KZ Class Leading
The Children from the 4KZ will tell the story of Jesus Last Supper with his disciples.
Tuesday 12 April, Garden of Gethsemane Play, 2.15pm, Yr 3 BP Leading
The Children from 3BP will share what happened when Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray to God before Good Friday.
Wednesday 13 April, Stations of the Cross, 9-2.30pm, each class presents 1 station
Throughout the day each class will walk the Stations of the Cross. Each Station is set up by an individual class in a contemporary manner in order to assist the children to follow in Jesus’ footsteps in their day- to-day living.
Wednesday 4 May, Resurrection Play, 9.00am, Yr 5HM Leading
The Children from 5HM will tell the joyful story of Jesus Resurrection.
Parents are encouraged to come along and celebrate the joyful resurrection of Jesus!
EASTER CELEBRATIONS - EASTER EGG GIVING
While as a school community we don’t believe it is necessary for students to give each other Easter Eggs, as they often get a number at home, if children are wishing to share Easter eggs with their class members, we ask that this does not occur until Term Two when the Resurrection has been celebrated in order to help students appreciate the significance of why eggs are given.
THE EASTER SEASON EXPLAINED
The Easter Triduum holds a special place in the Catholic Churches’ liturgical year because it marks the culmination of the yearly celebration in proclaiming the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Latin word triduum refers to a period of three days and has long been used to describe various three-day observances that prepared for a feast day through liturgy, prayer, and fasting. It is most often used to describe the three days prior to Easter: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday including the Easter Vigil. The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, "reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday".
Just as Sunday is the high point of the week, Easter is the high point of the year. The meaning of the Eucharist is revealed and anticipated throughout the Triduum, which brings the people of God into contact — through liturgy, symbol, and sacrament — with the central events of the life of Christ: The Last Supper, His trial and crucifixion, His time in the tomb, and His Resurrection from the dead. During these three days of contemplation and anticipation the liturgies emphasize the sacrificial death of Christ on the Cross, and the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, by which the faithful enter into the life-giving Passion of Christ and grow in hope of eternal life in Him.
Holy Thursday, The Lord's Supper
The Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, which commemorates when the Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper by Jesus. The traditional English name for this day, "Maundy Thursday", comes from the Latin phrase Mandatum novum — "a new command" (or mandate) — which comes from Christ's words: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (Jn 13:34). The Gospel reading for the liturgy is from the first part of the same chapter and depicts Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, an act of service (commonly done by slaves or servants in ancient cultures) and great humility.
In this memorial of Jesus' last meal with His disciples, the faithful are reminded of the everlasting value of that meal, the gift of the priesthood, the grave dangers of turning away from God, the necessity of the approaching Cross, and the abiding love that the Lord has for His people.
Good Friday Veneration of the Cross
This is the first full day of the Easter Triduum, a day commemorating the Passion, Cross, and death of Jesus Christ, and therefore a day of fasting. The liturgy is quite sombre, perhaps the most simple and stark liturgy of the entire year. The liturgy of the Lord's Passion consists of three parts: the liturgy of the Word, the veneration of the Cross, and the receiving of Communion. Although Communion is given and received, this liturgy is not a Mass; this practice dates back to the earliest years of the Church and is meant to emphasize the sombre, mournful character of the day. The Body of Christ that is received by the faithful on Good Friday was consecrated the prior evening at the Mass of the Lord's Supper and, in most cases, was adored until midnight or another late hour.
The simple, direct form of the Good Friday liturgy and readings brings those present face to face with the cross, the great scandal and paradox of Christianity. The cross is solemnly venerated after intercessory prayers are offered for the world and for all people. The deacon (or another minister) brings out the veiled cross in procession. The priest takes the cross, stands with it in front of the altar and faces the people, then uncovers the upper part of the cross, the right arm of the cross, and then the entire cross. As he unveils each part, he sings, "This is the wood of the cross." He places the cross and then venerates it; other clergy, lay ministers, and the faithful then approach and venerate the cross by touching, kissing it or in today’s Covid times stopping and bowing and saying a short prayer in front of it. In this way each person acknowledges the instrument of Christ's death and publicly demonstrates their willingness to take up their cross and follow Christ, regardless of what trials and sufferings it might involve.
Afterward, those present receive Communion and then depart silently.
Holy Saturday and Easter Vigil
The ancient Church celebrated Holy Saturday with strict fasting in preparation of the celebration of Easter. After sundown the Christians would hold an all-night vigil, which concluded with baptism and Eucharist at the break of dawn. The same idea (if not the identical timeline) is found in the Easter Vigil today.
The Easter Vigil, the Church states, ranks as "the mother of all vigils". Being a vigil — a time of anticipation and preparation — it takes place at night, starting after nightfall and finishing before daybreak on Easter, thus beginning and ending in darkness. It consists of four general parts: the Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, Christian Initiation, and Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The Service of Light begins outdoors and in darkness. A fire is lit and blessed, and then the Paschal candle, which symbolizes the light of Christ, is lit from the fire by the priest, who proclaims: "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." The biblical themes of light removing darkness and life overcoming death fill the entire Vigil. The Paschal candle will be placed i by the altar for the Easter season, then will be kept in the baptistery so that when the sacrament of baptism is celebrated the candles of the baptised can be lit from it.
The Liturgy of the Word follows, consisting of seven readings from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. These readings include the story of creation, the crossing of the Red Sea, the prophet Isaiah proclaiming God's love and the Gospel of Luke about the empty tomb discovered on Easter morning, just to name a few.
Some of the readings are focused on baptism, that sacrament which brings man into saving communion with God's divine life. Easter is in many ways the season of baptism, the sacrament of Christian initiation, in which those who formally lived in darkness are baptised in Christ, emerging filled with light and life.
From the early days of the ancient Church the Easter Vigil has been the time for adult converts to be baptised and enter the Church. After the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, catechumens (those who have never been baptised) and candidates (those who have been baptised in a non-Catholic Christian denomination) are initiated into the Church by receiving the Sacraments of baptism and confirmation. Those present are sprinkled with holy water and renew their baptismal vows. Then all adult candidates are confirmed and general intercessions are shared. The Easter Vigil concludes with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the reception of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of the Crucified and Risen Lord.
Easter Sunday
Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is celebrated on Sunday, and marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.
As we know from the Gospels, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion, which would be Sunday. His resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, sin and death. It is the singular event which proves that those who trust in God and accept Christ will be raised from the dead.
Since Easter represents the fulfillment of God's promises to mankind, it is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar.
In the Gospels, the precise details of the Easter narrative vary slightly, but none of these variances are critical to the main story. Despite the variances, the key aspects of the Easter story all match. Above all, they agree that the tomb of Christ was indeed empty, which is the most essential fact.
Based on direct evidence from the mid-second century, it is believed that Easter was regularly celebrated from the earliest days of the Church.
The Easter date is movable and always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Easter in the Roman Catholic Church is always on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.
Following Easter Sunday, the season of Easter begins and lasts for seven weeks, ending with Pentecost.
PROJECT COMPASSION – CARITAS AUSTRALIA
During the Liturgical season of Lent, Caritas Australia run their fundraising campaign, Project Compassion. The theme of this year’s campaign is, ‘Together we can make a difference, now and for all future generations.’
Each week over the five weeks of Lent, a story is shared of a different person or group of people who have received the support of the Project Compassion fundraiser to improve their life and the lives of others, now and for future generations.
This week I share with you the week five story.
Fifth Sunday of Lent: 2-3 April
Shaniella's story - Solomon Islands
Shaniella from the Solomon Islands was determined to forge a path out of poverty, moving away to a rural vocational school. With your support, she was able to overcome the challenges of natural disasters, and gain the skills she needs to create a brighter future for herself.
Shaniella grew up in a remote village in the Solomon Islands in a province which has limited educational and job opportunities – and one of the country’s highest poverty rates.
After leaving school, she decided to move closer to the capital city, Honiara, to study hospitality and tourism.
However, her vocational training school was hit by a landslide and cyclone in quick succession, destroying its water supply system and the vegetable garden that it relies on for food. The landslide destroyed the school’s main source of water, damaged school buildings and devastated the garden which the school relies on for food. With your kind support, Caritas Australia Solomon Islands (CASI) was able to help the school to install eight water tanks. This restored students’ access to clean drinking water and the tanks also supply water to nearby schools, health centres and the wider community.
CASI also supported the school by providing it with improved planting materials, 200 chickens, and training in agricultural skills and poultry management, to help it to boost its food security.
To ensure that the school is better prepared to respond to future disasters, CASI ran Disaster Risk Reduction training workshops, raising awareness about evacuation procedures and how to respond during an emergency. It provided additional support when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, by helping the school to improve hygiene practices to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Shaniella can now complete her job skills training and the school has enough food and water for its students. She is also better prepared when disaster strikes and can share her knowledge with her community back home.
Please donate to Project Compassion 2022 to help young people succeed in the future and bring stability to vulnerable youth and adults.
Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow For All Future Generations.
You can donate to Project Compassion either by using the donation boxes given to the eldest child in each family on Ash Wednesday, by visiting lent.caritas.org.au, or by calling 1800 024 413.
SOUTHERN CROSS:
The current edition of the Catholic newspaper put out by the Archdiocese called,’ The Southern Cross,’ is available at; www.thesoutherncross.org.au
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
It’s not a single, great, heroic deed that defines who you really are. It’s the little things you do day by day that count.
God’s blessings.
Paula Clark
APRIM
(Assistant Principal in Religious Identity and Mission)
If you still have some good quality, old style uniforms, school bags or school shoes that you would like to donate to AussieGhana Relief, we will have a yellow lidded bin outside the office on Syme Ave from Monday morning until the end of term.
Important Dates
Project Compassion casual day and SUBWAY meal deal
Pupil Free Day
Pupil Free Day
Start of Term 2
Mother's Day stall
Canteen Roster
Canteen Closed
Uniform Information
The new Active uniform can be fitted and ordered at at our offsite uniform shop:
https://belgraviasportsonline.com.au/collections/stella-maris-parish-school
Their uniform Shop is located at 10 Newton Road Campbelltown
phone: 0451 725 600
email: campbelltown@belgraviasports.com.au
The full range of uniforms and sizes are available for fittings at SMPS. Please contact Tony in the office to make an appointment time.
WHS Inductions for Volunteers
These are conducted at 2:30pm on Tuesday afternoons and 9am on Wednesday mornings. Please contact Tony or Cathy in the Office to make an appointment time.
Holy Spirit Church
Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 9am - 2pm
Phone: 08 8298 1044
Email: stannparish@adam.com.au
Address: 24A Ramsay Ave Seacombe Gardens SA 5047
PARISH MASS TIMES:
St Bernadette's Church:
Sunday 10:45am
Wednesday & Friday 12 noon
Holy Spirit Church:
Saturday 6pm
Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday 9:15am
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