Religious Life of St Monica’s 

Sabbath Week  

Sabbath week is about clearing our schedule and creating space for renewal. Sabbath Week is a good time to develop a rhythm in our spiritual lives. The evening is a good time for reflection while the morning is a good time for re-entry into the spiritual life.    

At the end of the day those in need of healing are brought to Jesus: Why not offer to Jesus – in your prayer – the people you have encountered today? He alone can heal them.   

Jesus awakes and finds a lonely place: As each day begins find a lonely place to be alone with God.  

How will you make space for God this week? 

Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint for the Digital Age 

At our school we love sharing stories of faith that inspire us to live more like Jesus. One such story is that of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young boy from Italy who reminds us that holiness is possible—even in our modern world. Blessed Carlo Acutis, a teenager known for his deep love of the Eucharist and his creative use of technology to share the Catholic faith, will be canonised as a saint on 7 September 2025. 

Carlo was born in 1991 and raised in Milan. From a young age he showed a remarkable devotion to Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. He attended daily Mass, prayed the Rosary, and was known for his kindness and compassion. Carlo also had a passion for computers and used his skills to create a website documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world—bringing faith and technology together in a powerful way. 

Carlo died of leukemia at just 15 years old, but his legacy continues to inspire young people across the globe. He was beatified in 2020, and now, just 19 years after his death, he will become the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church. 

His canonisation will take place in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, alongside Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, another young Italian known for his love of the poor and joyful faith. The ceremony will be led by Pope Leo XIV and is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims from around the world. 

Carlo once said, “People who place themselves before the sun get a tan; people who place themselves before the Eucharist become saints.” His life reminds us that holiness is not just for adults or for the past—it’s for all of us, right now. 

Let us pray that Carlo’s example will inspire our students, particularly our Year 6 students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to live with faith, kindness, and courage in their everyday lives. 

Sacrament of Confirmation 

Today our Year 6 students participated in a retreat to deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Our St Monica’s students were joined by Year 6 students from St Michael’s and students from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. They were guided by Father Mick and teachers from both schools through a range of experiences to deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit and their own unique gifts.  

We were blessed with a visit by Archbishop Christopher Prowse who came to meet the children and share about his relationship with Jesus with them.  

This evening those students making the Sacrament will gather for the second parent and child formation session at 6.00pm in St Monica’s church. Please continue to keep these children in your prayers -

Sophie A, Donato A, Harriett B, Lola B, Lucas C, Lucas C, Zara C, Mitchell C, Phoebe D, Eliana D, Joseph F, Milla F, Elsie F, Edward F, Luci G, Saskia H, Isabella H, Andreas K, Ana L, Niko M, Ruby M, Maddie N-H, Lachlan P, Nellie R, Beau R, Jack R, Joshua R, Imogen S, Maxwell S, Aya T and Ryan W.

Opening Our Hearts to the Holy Spirit