Welcome back to a new year of learning and celebration. I trust you enjoyed the holiday break with family and friends.  As we begin this new year as a school community, we welcome new students, families and staff. We especially welcome our Kindergarten students who begin their journey at St Columbkilles. 

Our vision “Learning Together, Shaping Futures” and our Core Values of Faith, Responsibility, Respect, Learning, Community and Celebration are a focus in our Religious Education lessons over the next few weeks. Take some time to discuss, and reflect on, these values at home.

ORDINARY TIME

In the Liturgical Year of the Church we are in a period called ‘Ordinary Time’. Some people think it is a time when nothing much happens.  Yet it is important because we are growing to be more like Jesus in our everyday lives by listening to the words of scripture each week. Life is not only about the special events and celebrations, it is about who we are in our day to day interactions. At St Columbkille's we live this through our motto: "Christ is the Way."

LENT / PROJECT COMPASSION

On Tuesday 13th February our school captains, Rosalie and Kynan, along with Mrs Disibio, will attend the diocesan CARITAS launch. Each year all of the schools in the diocese come together to acknowledge the beginning of Lent by celebrating a special liturgy. This year John Therry Catholic College at Rosemeadow is hosting. Our staff and students will be introduced to the organisation "Project Compassion", in the coming days, and will be learning about how we can help others who are part of God's family. 

This years theme for Project Compassion is, For All Future Generations. It is inspired by the story of the burning bush in the book of Exodus (Exodus 3:1–20).God said, 'This is my name for all time; by this name I shall be invoked for all generations to come.' Exodus 3:15

Our St Columbkille's support helps vulnerable communities around the world to tackle poverty, food security, education, water and sanitation and disaster risk reduction to build a better future for all. Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.

Families can donate through monetary donations to their class Project Compassion donation boxes, envelopes available from St Columbkille's Church, by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413. There will also be other fundraising events within our community. Remember, whatever you can give,  large or small you can give, goes a long way to helping others.

ASH WEDNESDAY

All parents and carers are invited to attend either our Ash Wednesday Mass or Liturgy on Wednesday 14th February. Years 5 & 6 will be part of the Mass in St Columbkille's church at 12 noon, whilst Kinder-Year 4 will celebrate with a liturgy in the Monsignor Downey Hall at 12 noon. It is a lovely way to begin the season of Lent, where we are asked to devote ourselves in 3 main ways:

1.seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture,

2.to service by giving alms, and to

3.practice self-control through fasting

LENTEN PRAYER FOLDERS

Family Prayer boxes will be sent home during the Season of Lent. The box contains all that you will need for your family to pray together. Please remember if your child doesn’t bring the prayer box home during the season of Lent they will have a chance to bring it home during October – the month of the Rosary, or in the season of Advent.

NATIONAL APOLOGY TO THE STOLEN GENERATIONS

On Tuesday 13th February 2024, Australia commemorates the 16th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations which was presented to Parliament by the then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd in 2008. National Apology Day is a day to remember and pray for the children who were taken away from their families and homes and commit to right the wrongs of past injustices and build a bridge of respect between all people.

Loving God, Creator Spirit, God of the Dreaming,
You who created all people in your image and likeness,
May we listen with care to all people of this land and treat all with
respect.
Source of all creation and unity, bless us in our endeavours to live as
one in Christ.

All: Amen.