Religious Life of St Monica’s 

Celebrating St Monica – Our Patron Saint 

Next Wednesday 27 August we joyfully celebrate the feast day of St Monica, our beloved patron saint. Known for her unwavering faith, deep patience, and enduring perseverance, St Monica continues to be a guiding light for our school community. 

We will begin this special day together with Mass led by 3 White at 9.30 am in St Monica’s Church, giving thanks for her life and legacy. Families and friends are warmly invited to join us for this beautiful celebration of faith and community.  

Following Mass we will honour her journey with our annual walkathon, symbolically walking in her footsteps. St Monica was born around 332 CE in Thagaste, present-day Tunisia. Raised in a Christian household she faced many challenges in her marriage to Patricius, a pagan man with a difficult temperament. Through her steadfast prayers and gentle spirit Monica witnessed his conversion to Christianity—a testament to her deep faith. 

She is most remembered as the devoted mother of St Augustine, one of the Church’s greatest thinkers. Though Augustine’s early life was marked by struggle and searching Monica never gave up on him. Her prayers followed him across continents—from North Africa to Italy—until he was finally baptised by St. Ambrose in 387 CE, fulfilling her lifelong hope. 

St Monica is the patron saint of mothers, married women, and those facing family challenges. Her life reminds us of the power of prayer, the strength of love, and the grace found in perseverance. 

As we celebrate her feast day may we be inspired by her example to remain faithful and hopeful in our own journeys. May St Monica continue to bless and guide our school community. 

Altar Servers Club  

Did you know that your child can play an active role in our parish? Students in Years 4-6 who have made their First Communion have the opportunity to play an active role in masses. Your child is invited to become an altar server and assist Father Mick during the mass. Saint Monica’s has an Altar Servers Club held on Friday in the parish meeting room each fortnight after school. See the information below about how to become involved 

What is an alter server?  

An Altar server is someone who helps on the Altar at mass.    

What do you need to do to become an Altar server?   

The only requirement is that you have made your First Communion. If you have not yet but are planning to, you can still join the club.    

What will we do at club meetings?   

The club is an opportunity for all the altar servers and potential altar servers in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to get together for afternoon tea, to play some games, have some discussions, learn more about altar serving and make some new friends.   

Sacrament of Confirmation 

Please keep the following students in your prayers as they prepare the for Sacrament of Confirmation -   

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

2025 Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and will be in Years 4-6 in 2025.

Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated this term. 

The dates for the Sacrament are 16-18 September and will be celebrated at St Michael’s and St Monica’s churches. You will only have to attend on one of these days.  The Parent and Child Prayer Night will be held on Thursday 4 September between 6pm-7pm at St Monica's Church, Evatt.  There will be a children’s retreat day on Thursday  4 September. If you have questions or issues with registration please contact the Parish Office on sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au.

For further Information – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or check the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

Congratulations to the 40 students who represented St Monica's yesterday at the Belconnen Region Athletics Carnival. We had beautiful weather and each student gave their all in each event. Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top 10 of their events.

Indi S- 8 years 70m 3^rd 100m 4th

Lucy P- 9 years 70m 1^st 100m 1st

Olivia M- 9 years 100m 7th

Tilly G- 9 years 100m 8th

Ashleigh R- 10 years 100m 10th

Emerson P- 11 years 100m 4^th 200m 7^th Long Jump 4th

Isabella H- 12 years Shot Put 4th

Fletcher S- 8 years 70m 5^th 100m 5th

Tobi A- 8 years 70m 6th

Ethan E- 9 years 70m 1st

Aleer A- 9 years 70m 9^th 100m 4th

Jude H- 9 years 100m 2nd

Sonny S- 11 years 100m 6th

Billy K- 11 years 100m 7th

Karlin O- 12 years 100m 5^th 200m 1^st 800m 5th

Blake R- 10 years 200m 7th

Lucas C- 12 years 800m 8th

Israel O- 11 years Shot Put 5^th 

By finishing in the top 4 of an event special congratulations to Aleer A, Ethan E, Jude H, Emerson P, Lucy P, Karlin O, Isabella H and Indi S who qualified to represent Belconnen at the ACT Championships to be held at the AIS on Tuesday 16 September. More information and schedules will be sent out on Compass as soon as possible. 

We are excited to announce our upcoming Father's Day Stall event taking place on Friday 5 September. To make this event a success we are seeking  volunteers who can spare a few hours of their time starting from 9.15am on the day to assist with the stall set up as well as during the purchasing time and pack up.

If you are available to lend a hand sign up on the link below.

https://volunteersignup.org/HRFBJ

Your support means a lot, and we appreciate any assistance you can provide.

NB: To assist on the day of the event you will need a current WWVP card.