Welcome back to a new year of learning and celebration. I trust you enjoyed the holiday break with family and friends.  As we begin our 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 talk about these values at home.

We are in a period of Ordinary Time in the church. 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.

 Year 6 Leaders Induction

This afternoon, we celebrated our Welcome Liturgy and inducted our Year 6 leaders into their respective leadership groups. We pray these students continue to guide and serve us throughout the year by being the best leader they can be.

Project Compassion Lenten Launch

Our annual Project Compassion Lenten launch will take place on Tuesday 25 February at St Benedicts Catholic College in Oran Park. Schools from within our Diocesan will take part in this celebration acknowledging the beginning of Lent. Our families can give generously during this time by bringing in any loose change from home to place in our class money boxes. We continue to pray for all peoples and nations to live in solidarity showing values of justice, love and compassion. Mr Colquhoun and our School and Vice Captains will be attending the launch.

World Day of Prayer for the Sick

On Tuesday 11 February we acknowledge World Day of Prayer for the Sick. Pope John Paul II initiated the day in 1992 to encourage people to pray for those who suffer from illness and for their caregivers. The Pope himself had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s a year before, in 1991, and it is considered that his own illness was impetus for this day. World Day of the Sick was first observed on February 11, 1993. February 11 is also the Catholic Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a name given to the Virgin Mary in honour of the apparitions that were said to have been seen in and around Lourdes, France, by a young girl called Bernadette Soubirous. The Church canonized Bernadette as a saint several years late.

National Apology to the Stolen Generations

On Thursday 13th February we mark the 12th anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations. In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd presented this apology in the Australian Parliament. (To view the clip visit this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TZOGpG6cM)

As a school we are committed to walking together with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers in a spirit of reconciliation towards healing.

PRAYER: Creator God, Creator Spirit, God of the Dreaming, empower us to honour the history of this Great South Land.
Help us to remember the story of those who have gone before us and to ensure the future is one of peace, reconciliation and harmony for all who walk this land. AMEN.

Parish / School Masses

In 2019 the parish and school implemented a combined Mass on the first weekend of each month. A number of students and their families were involved by way of reading, offertory and choir. Not only did families enjoy celebrating the Eucharist with members of the community, they also stayed behind for a wonderful morning tea/supper and chat. Each family would bring a plate to share. We have planned these gatherings again this year so if your child/children and other members of the family are willing to be involved by reading, offertory, choir etc please let me know. Our first celebration will be held on the weekend of 7/8 March.

Have a wonderful fortnight!

Yours in faith

Mrs Jo Herring - Religious Education Coordinator