Parish/School Mass

Our St Columbkille's community celebrated a wonderful mass on Sunday 4th June. The students were involved with reading and children's liturgy, with a special performance of two songs by our school band 'The Cobras'. A huge thank you to the band under the expert conducting of Marguerite Andary, and to Mr and Mrs Lattimore for leading the singing. We look forward to our next Mass on Sunday 2nd July.

Confirmation

Bishop Brian officiated at our two Confirmation evenings this week, and spoke of how proud he was of the students who had made this committment to journey further in their faith. Thank you to everyone who had helped organise or given of their time to support these students. A special thank you to parents and sponsors for continuing to guide them in living out the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

St Vincent de Paul Hampers

For the next few weeks, before the holidays begin, we are asking to help out our community by donating itmes to our Mini Vinnies hampers. Each grade is allocated particular items:

K-Baked beans/spaghetti

Year 1- Chunky soup tins

Year 2- Pasta/pasta sauce

Year 3- Breakfast cereals / flavoured rolled oats

Year 4- Pancake Mix

Year 5- Long-life milk/long-life custard

Year 6- Campbells spaghetti sauce with beef / Tom Piper braised steak and onions

Please not this is only a guide and whatever you can donate is greatly appreciated. These hampers will be distributed to needy individuals and families within our community. Thank you once again for your generosity.

Our Mini Vinnies team will visit the local St Vincent de Paul store next Wednesday 21 June.

Feast of St Columba

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 celebrated a liturgy, whilst Years 3 to 6 attended Mass last Friday to acknowledge St Columba, our schools patron saint. A student from each class was awarded the annual St Columba Award. Congratulations to those award winners for 2023.

Our fun day celebrations occurred today, with many fun activities putting a smile on everyone's faces. 

Ordinary Time

On Sunday 18th June the Church year reverts back to Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time is the longest season of the liturgical year. During Ordinary Time we celebrate the whole life of Christ and learn the meaning of living as his disciples. We reflect on and celebrate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, making Catholic Ordinary Time is an extraordinary time to learn and follow the teachings of Christ in our daily lives and to grow as his disciples. We also learn about and celebrate the lives of the saints. Green vestments and altar cloths are now used as they have traditionally been associated with this time after Pentecost.

Migrant and Refugee Week

Refugee Week in Australia is always held from Sunday to Saturday of the week which includes 20 June (World Refugee Day). For 2023, it will be held from Sunday 18 June to Saturday 24 June. The theme of Refugee Week 2023 is Finding Freedom. It aims to highlight the importance of living life free from violence, war, and persecution. Refugee Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the contributions which refugees bring to Australia. It's also a time when all Australians are encouraged to educate themselves about the issues that affect refugees, as well as listen to the stories of those seeking asylum.

Solemnities of St John the Baptist and Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Aside from the Lord and His Blessed Mother, John is the only other individual whose birth the Church commemorates with a solemnity. He spent his adult life preparing the way for Jesus and proclaiming that “the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.” We commemorate this solemnity on Friday 24th June.

In 1856, the Feast of the Sacred Heart became a universal feast. St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said, “This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.” In 2022, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 24.

Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator