Parish School Mass

We had a lovely celebration with Father Anthony last weekend and a number of families were able to join us. Thank you to those students and parents who came along, and to all those who helped with the readings and offertory. Morning tea was a nice chance to catch up and for the children to play. Our next Mass occurs on Sunday 2nd April. If you are able to help please contact the school or myself.

Lent

How is your LENTEN journey going? Have you taken some time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving? Our 40 days of Lent provides us with an opportunity to become closer to Christ and leaves us changed by this encounter with him. Our LENTEN prayer boxes have been making their way to many families thus far and will continue throughout this season. Thank you for the beautiful heartfelt prayers, kind words and pictures drawn in these class prayer books, and for sharing these thoughts within each class. Don't forget to bring in any spare change to fill our class Project Compassion boxes. Anything you can donate is certainly helpful.

Caritas

Week 3:

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Priscilla, who lives in the Hwange district in Zimbabwe with her husband, Charles, and two of their grandchildren. Climate change continues to bring unprecedented challenges for people living in the most vulnerable and remote communities in Zimbabwe.

During times of intense drought and food shortages, Priscilla had to commute to the town centre and wait in long queues to collect food.  

With the support of Caritas Hwange, Priscilla learnt conservation farming skills to grow drought-resistant crops and started poultry farming to support her family during the current food crisis. Priscilla was able to produce a bumper harvest in her first year of practising in conservation farming. Priscilla also used the funds from her harvest to start poultry farming, which enabled her to sell eggs to pay for her grandchildren’s school fees, books and stationery. The poultry farming provides a safety net for Priscilla and her family during times of hardship, like the current drought.

While the situation in Zimbabwe and across eastern Africa remains dire, the work of Caritas Hwange means that Priscilla can learn the techniques, tools and resources she needs to build resilience and support her family during this current food crisis.  

Watch a short film about Priscilla’s story here.

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

Week 4:

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Thu, who lives in Vietnam. When Thu was 12 years old, he stepped on an unexploded land mine and lost his leg. ​

Living with a disability in rural Vietnam presented many challenges for Thu, who worked mainly as a rice farmer. Thu also took on the role of caring for his wife, Linh, after she suffered a stroke.​

Determined to turn their lives around, Thu and Linh joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities program, run by Caritas Australia’s local partner in Vietnam, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD).    

For Thu, the greatest impact the program has had is enabling the change in Linh’s physical and mental wellbeing. With the support of a physiotherapist, Linh can now walk short distances with the aid of a walking stick. 

Watch a short film about Thu’s story here.

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

Clean Up Australia Day

Last Friday, the 4th of March, St Columbkille's students answered the call to environmental stewardship in Pope Francis' Encyclical Laudato Si by participating in Clean Up Australia Day. Students from K-6 did an incredible job of cleaning up the school grounds. In doing so, they contributed to the efforts of 943,443 volunteers across Australia, including 3,740 schools, who work towards removing waste from our beautiful nation's streets, parks, ecosystems and waterways. Thank you to the students as well as parents and carers for providing gloves for the day.

Feasts of St Patrick and St Joseph

Next Friday 17th March we acknowledge the feast of St Patrick. St Patrick, one of Ireland's patron saints, ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century. On Monday 19th March is another saints feast day, St Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter, a good and honest man, who God called to care for Mary and her baby Jesus. Joseph was a faithful and trusting servant of God who wanted to do what was asked of him. We can learn from Joseph to listen to what God asks of us and become faith-filled servants caring for those in need. Let us pray to these saints as they help us draw closer to God.

Mini Vinnies

St Columbkille's is pleased to announce our Year 5 Mini Vinnies team for 2023. These students will lead the school in supporting various agencies and organisations. Their induction took place today at the afternoon asembly. Congratulations to - Kade Bloom, Darcy Shaw, Kynan Merola, Harper Harrison, Abbie Stenos, Sophie Willougby, Oscar McKevith, Ethan Oliver, Ruby Ukotic and Jasmine Bertacco.

Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator