In Year 1 this term students are learning about how people live safely and happily in community and in a loving relationship with God. To begin students have had some fabulous discussions about what a community is and how we know we belong to a community. The children have created their own shields, identifying key groups to which they belong and using symbols for each community group. As highlighted previously in the newsletter, each Year 1 class was treated to a special ‘baptism’ ceremony with Father Mick. How do you know you ‘belong’ to a group? What do you do to contribute to that community? What more can we do to build our community? Some food for thought and discussion ideas for the dinner table?

Religious Life of St Monica’s

Year 5 prayer time

Thank you Year 5 for your reverent leadership of the school in prayer last Friday. It was lovely to spend time in prayer pondering how we can ‘see and need and do something about it.’ And I think we have a new favourite hymn to add to our collection of singing at liturgies in ‘Be God’s’.

Confirmation

A reminder that registrations have closed for Confirmation this year. If you have not registered please feel free to do so next year. Trybooking opened this week for booking into the Mass of your choice on Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 or Thursday 7 September. Bookings close on Friday 18 August. We keep the 34 candidates from St Monica’s in our prayers as they prepare for this important sacrament.

Year Six Retreat Day – Letters

A special reminder that every student in Year 6 needs to have a letter of affirmation written for them and sent into the school by the end of this week This special letter is written by either a parent or Confirmation Sponsor (for those students who are being Confirmed). Ms Younger has received some but definitely not all needed to date. ☹

Winter Woollies

A HUGE THANKYOU to the community for your generous support of the Winter Woollies Appeal last week. The Night Patrol was stuffed to the gills with blankets, jumpers, beanies and other warm paraphernalia! There are certainly people in Canberra who are warmer this week because of the kindness of our St Monica’s community. Thank you again.

Feast of the Assumption

It was beautiful attending the parish Mass on Tuesday morning for the Feast of the Assumption. Thank you to the families who were able to share in this Holy Day of Obligation with us.

Whole School Prayer – there will be no whole school prayer on Friday in Week 5 as we attended Mass on Tuesday morning. Our next whole school prayer time will be Friday 1September, in Week 7, with Kindergarten leading us in praying for our Confirmation candidates.

 St Monica’s Feast – Save the Date

St Monica’s Feast Day is Sunday 27 August so we will celebrate her feast on Monday 28 August in Week 7. All families are invited to join the whole school at Mass in St Monica’s Church at 9.15am.