RE NEWS
Religion News: Thursday, March the 16th
Known as the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Apostle of Ireland, Patrick was instrumental in bringing the Roman Catholic beliefs to Ireland and in subsequent years, Saint Patrick's Day became a day to commemorate Catholicism in Ireland.
Who was St. Patrick?
He was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 CE to convert the Irish to Christianity By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him, for example, that he was responsible for getting rid of all the snakes in Ireland. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts and this continues on today. There is much celebrating in Ireland and around the world.
How did the Shamrock become associated with St. Patrick?
St. Patrick was a Christian missionary who used a clover to explain the Holy Trinity of Christianity, which is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He said the three leaves stand for the three beings of God, and the stem shows how they are united into one.
Easter Liturgy
Today our 
children began filming our Holy Week enactment, which, will be presented on the last day of Term One, Thursday,6th of April at 12:00 midday in the St Mary Mackillop Hall. This is an excellent way for our students to learn and reflect on Jesus’ final hours. Everyone is invited to our presentation on April 6th at 12:00 midday. Please come along and watch our amazing children.
Harmony Day Tuesday the 21st of March
We celebrate Harmony Day on 21 March. Created in 1999 to celebrate unity and diversity, Harmony Day was originally an Australian celebration but is now marked worldwide by many. Be a better friend with your neighbour regardless of their background or stand in the shoes of one another. In Matthew’s Gospel, we read that Jesus said to the people that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself. Imagine a world where everyone could do this.
A Prayer for Harmony
O’ God You create all people in your image.
We thank you for the astonishing variety of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of friendship and show us your presence in those who differ most from us,
until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children;
Through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
School Mass
Whole School Mass will be celebrated next Thursday the 23rd of March at 10:00 am.
Sacramental News
Sacrament of First Holy Communion will now be celebrated on Sunday the 21st of May at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 11:00 am.
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday the 23rd of July at 11:00 am Mass. Bishop Greg Bennet will celebrate this special Sacrament with us and the Parishioners.
Kind Regards
Sue Benc
