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Dear Parents and Carers,
As we welcome the joyful season of Easter, we are reminded of the profound message of hope, renewal, and love that Easter brings to our hearts and homes. This special time in the Catholic Church's calendar invites us all, young and old, to reflect on the significance of Jesus Christ's Resurrection and what it means for each one of us.
For our students, Easter is a reminder that no challenge is too great and no obstacle too insurmountable. Just as spring brings new life to the world, Easter offers us a chance to grow in kindness, generosity, and compassion. Let us embrace this season as a time to help others, to spread joy and love within our community, and to remember the importance of forgiveness and second chances.
In the spirit of Easter, let us also commit to being peacemakers (A catch cry of St Francis) in our daily lives, whether on the playground, in the classroom, or at home. Let us show patience and understanding to those around us, remembering that, through the Resurrection, Jesus showed us the path to everlasting life and love.
This week, we were treated to lovely Liturgies to retell the events leading to the Passion of Christ. Yr. 1 beautifully told the story of Palm Sunday, which reflects Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four canonical Gospels. During this entry, Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, and the crowds spread their cloaks and branches of palm trees on the road before him, greeting him as the Messiah and shouting, "Hosanna!".
On Thursday, Yr 5 reverently Led us through the events of the Last Supper and Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. And finally, Yr. 6 Led us on a journey to experience the Stations of the Cross, which led to the death of Jesus on Good Friday. I would like to thank all our teachers and our REC, Mrs Thomas, who have worked hard to put on these liturgies for our school community. Check out our Facebook page if you would like to see some more photos from these Liturgies.
Enrolment
We are fast approaching the enrolment period for 2025. Last week, our Yr 6 students were visited by Mr Michael Lee and his team from MacKillop, including some ex-students and in week 11, we will be visited by St. Clares College Principal Dr Ann Cleary and some students who will address our Yr 6 girls. The purpose of these visits is to give our Yr. 6 students information related to upcoming open days.
We have also been finalising our school & ELC enrolment period for 2025 and have locked in dates for our open days- Thursday, 9th of May and Wednesday, 29th of May. We will host school and ELC tours from 9:30-11 am and 3:30-6 pm on both days. You will soon see road signs out advertising these days. You do not need to book an appointment on these days and times. Just turn up for a tour and an information pack.
The most significant contributor to enrolments in the school is our current parent body's word of mouth. Can I please ask you to like and share our material on Facebook during this period and encourage any parents interested in potential enrolment to come along on one of these days? We can also accommodate visits on other days, with notice, if these days and times are unsuitable by calling the front office on 62924500.
The Catholic Schools' official enrolment period is from 1st -31st May. We are already beginning to receive enrolment enquiries and applications for Kinder 2025, which have been submitted through our school website. Enrol Now! @ St Francis of Assisi Primary School - Calwell. If you want to enrol in our Early Learning Centre (ELC) for 2025, the enrolment forms can be found here: St Francis of Assisi Primary School ELC - Calwell.
Pokémon Cards
Unfortunately, I have had to ask students to stop bringing Pokémon and similar trading cards to school. There have been several issues involving cards going missing or students swapping/trading cards that are not fair or equivalent swaps. We have tried several measures to curb these issues to no avail. I thank you in advance for your support. I will remind students as a whole at our next morning assembly.
The students have many clubs, activities and equipment to utilise during every lunch break. If your child isn't sure what to do during break time, tell them to check the Poster in their classroom or the one on the Hardtop/BASCA window.
Pupil Free Day
Next Term, students in all Catholic Schools will not return to school until Tuesday, the 30th of April, due to a Pupil Free day on Monday, the 29th of April. Our staff will participate in a Staff Development Day on the designated Pupil Free Day.
Wishing you and your families a blessed and joyful Easter!
Sean Rutledge
Principal
This week as a Catholic School and Church we celebrate Holy Week. Holy Week is a time that is set apart in our Church’s liturgical year for our spiritual renewal. In fact, the word holy refers to anything that is set apart for God’s purposes. Holy Week is holy precisely because it is time that is set apart for us to focus on how we are spiritually renewed through the suffering, death, and Resurrection of Jesus but do we truly understand its deeper meaning?
Behind all those Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and everything else in between that commercialises this sacred time, we reflect on what Holy Week means to us and seek new ways to encounter God.
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week, is the final week of Lent, starting on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. Holy Week is a time in which we gather to remember and participate in the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Passion was the final period of Christ’s life in Jerusalem, which spans from when He arrived in Jerusalem, to when He was crucified.
How do Catholics celebrate Holy Week?
Four special ceremonies commemorate the events of Christ’s Passion, starting with his entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, through to His arrest on Holy Thursday and Crucifixion on Good Friday, to Holy Saturday, the day that Christ’s body lay in the tomb.
Let’s dig a little deeper…
Palm Sunday recalls Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey to the praise of the townspeople, who laid palms in front of him as a sign of homage. In these times, this was a customary practice for people of great respect.
The Easter Triduum is especially important for Catholics and considered ‘the summit of the liturgical calendar’. It marks the three days just before Easter, starting on Holy Thursday.
Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus consecrated bread and wine the night before he was betrayed and arrested. This is one of the most beautiful liturgies of the entire liturgical year. During Mass, the priest washes the feet of twelve parishioners, just as Jesus did.
Good Friday marks the day of Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion. The events of Good Friday are commemorated in the Stations of the Cross, a 14-step devotion, traditionally prayed during Lent and especially on Good Friday. It is also a day of fast and abstinence within the Church.
Holy Saturday remembers the day which Jesus spent in the grave resting. This day celebrates the vigil that Christ’s followers held for him outside of his tomb, waiting for his resurrection. It is a day of quiet and prayerful reflection on the true gravity of the crucifixion of Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice.
Easter Sunday
Easter is the greatest celebration in the Catholic church because it completes Holy week that ends with the resurrection of Jesus. Easter celebrates the beginning and foundation of Christianity. Easter is thus a symbolic reminder for Catholics that Jesus has overcome death and sin. It signifies the victory of good over evil.
What does all this mean for us as Catholics?
The Easter story teaches us humility and love. It probes our desire to think of ourselves as compassionate and generous people.
The life and teaching, and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ put together, are a lesson on the efficacy of humility, service, self-sacrifice, and true love.
As Catholics, we live in hope, not fear and with God’s mercy and love, can overcome anything life throws at us.
God bless and may everyone have a happy, holy Easter, united in prayer, hope and love.
Sharee Thomas
REC
ALL children who wish to receive ANY of the Sacraments this year (Confirmation - Year 6, Eucharist - Year 5 or Reconciliation - Year 4) need to be registered on the Parish QkR! App no later than 12th April. Please find any further information required in the attached document.
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH GOWRIE
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER MASS TIMES
Altar Server Training & Refresher Sessions
For current servers and those aspiring to be altar servers. Servers need to be Catholic and in Year 4 or upwards.
Friday 15 March at 4pm in Holy Family Church
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HUGH'S TIPS TO AUTHENTIC CONNECTION OVER EASTER
The Easter long weekend is nearly here, and we love to think of it as a chance to disconnect from our devices and reconnect with the people around us. Here are Hugh's tips on how to switch off and be present this Easter!
There will be a Sausage Sizzle at the school on Thursday 11 April 2024 following the Cross Country. A sausage sandwich $3.50 with juice $5, an extra sausage is $2.50 and there will be a gluten free option. QKR is now open for your orders and will close on Monday 8 April 2024 at 9am. Volunteers who can help on the day please follow the link https://volunteersignup.org/XQYHX
Normal Canteen services will not be available on this day.