This Sunday, we commemorate the Feast of the Ascension. As Christians we believe that Jesus was taken up into heaven both body and soul. It occurs on the fortieth day after Easter Sunday and generally the day is meant to celebrate the completion of the work of our salvation and the pledge of our glorification with Christ. It also encourages us to live a life inspired by the teachings of Christ, a way of living with our gaze towards heaven which then inspires us to look outward to “the other.” 

In the month of May we remember to pray to our Mother Mary through the intercession of her special prayer, the ‘rosary.’ Your family may like to pray a decade or one of the mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous) by using this resource below.

https://www.fatima.org.au/the-holy-rosary/

Confirmation Candidate Mass

Our Year 6 Confirmation candidates celebrated a special mass on Wednesday as they prepare their hearts for receiving this sacrament. Thanks to Father Patrick who reminded us of the special parts of this celebration and asked questions to further contemplate what a significant occasion this will be. Bishop Brian will officiate at both evenings on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 June. Our Confirmation retreat day is coming up shortly, on Wednesday 9 June and books are to be returned by Friday 28 May.

Parish Family Mass - 5 and 6 June

Thank you to the two families who have volunteered to read at our Sunday morning Family Mass on 6 June. We still need readers for Saturday 5 June, please contact myself if you are available. Although the capacity of St Columbkille’s Church remains at 90, we would still like to see as many people as possible join in the Eucharistic celebration. For those students making their Confirmation it is a perfect opportunity to spend an hour with their God and give their prayer card to a parishioner who will pray for them during their preparation. It might even be nice to invite their Kindergarten buddy to celebrate the Mass together. 

National Sorry Day / Reconciliation Week

St Columbkille’s School recognises National Sorry Day with an assembly prayer in which we pause to remember the Stolen Generations of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It leads us into National Reconciliation Week which is held each year between 27^th May and 3^rd June. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2021 is More Than a Word. Reconciliation Takes Action.  Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. For the Catholic Church in Australia, this week offers us a time to be fully the Church that God dreams for us - a Church in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make their own unique contribution and that contribution is joyfully received by others. More information regarding our school celebrations will be forthcoming.

Bicentenary of Catholic Education

On Monday 24 May, CEO and school staff from the Diocese of Wollongong, will gather at St John Vianney’s Cathedral to celebrate Mass. This Mass will commemorate the 200^thanniversary of Catholic Education in Australia. Our 1,755 Catholic schools across Australia are distinct and diverse. From metropolitan cities to rural, regional and remote parts of Australia, our schools meet the individual needs of their students differently, but with the same shared mission of an excellent, faith-based education. If you or a friend would like to participate in a service to recognise this event, a National Mass will be live streamed via St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. The link will be available on this website: https://200years.catholic.edu.au/

Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator