Reconciliation

For all students preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, workshops are now underway and continue this week and conclude next week.  This is the time for you and your child to come together to have a conversation about the topics in the workbooks and to ask any questions that you may have. Please be on time to the workshops and remember to bring the workbooks with you that you were given out at mass.  This week at Mass, students will be given a Holy card.  

Confirmation

If you have a child who is Year 6 or older and you would like them to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, there will be a parent information and name recording session on Thursday 30th March 2023 at 7:00pm in the Hall.  The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Tuesday 18th July & Wednesday 19th July 2023 at 7:00pm. 

Lent - Project Compassion

We have now entered into the season of Lent, this being the third week of Lent, marking the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving in support of Project Compassion. Each family has received a Project Compassion box for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion.

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Tereesa, a Gamilaroi woman from Western Sydney who struggled with homelessness while raising her four children. At just 16 years old, she had to leave school after falling pregnant with her first child. A single mother struggling with homelessness, Tereesa’s only concern was finding stability for her children.   

Seeking a better future for her family, Tereesa joined Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation’s Young Mums and Bubs Group, supported by Caritas Australia. Baabayn helped Tereesa access housing and psychological support. Through Baabayn, Tereesa was also able to hear stories from Indigenous Elders and reconnect with her culture.  

Today, Tereesa is studying for a certificate in Community Services so that she can strengthen her skills and give back to her community. Tereesa now works at Baabayn, providing support to young mothers and mentoring the next generation of young people.  

Watch a short film about Tereesa’s story here.

Please support Project Compassion: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion. 

Each family has received a Project Compassion box and they can be returned to either the school or Parish Office by Week 11.

Wednesday Mass and Faith & Learning visits

Next week on Wednesday Year 1 will be attending mass at 9am. After mass we would love all of the families to join their children in the classroom to enjoy a snapshot of their learning.   We warmly invite all parents, family members or friends who wish to join the children at any of the Wednesday masses. We love to see as many families there as possible.

All mass times can be found in the All Saints Parish Bulletin and all other important information. A link can be found on the Parish Website:  https://www.dow.org.au/parish/all-saints-catholic-parish-shellharbour-city