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Dear St Monica’s families and friends,
Harmony Day - recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.Today we have several students dressed in their traditional or cultural attire. It has been lovely to see a ‘sea of orange’ in support and celebration of the cultural diversity we have here at St Monica’s.
Holy Week – Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most significant and important week in the Catholic Church calendar. This Sunday, known as Passion or Palm Sunday, we commemorate Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, on Holy Thursday we celebrate the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples and on Good Friday we reflect profoundly on Jesus’ death by crucifixion. The week can serve as a spiritual pilgrimage that deepens our faith, as we anticipate the joyous hope of Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Reconciliation Retreat Day – Our Year 4 students, and their teachers, are gathered in our Parish Centre today, as they begin their final preparations for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All Year 4 students participate in this important day, even if they are not receiving the Sacrament. This offers everyone the opportunity to walk alongside and in support of their peers, wherever they are in their faith journey.
Fete News - It's not too late to volunteer for the Fete!! Please consider offering some time to help out at the Fete. Huge thanks to Laura Davern, Kirralea Thompson and their team of helpers for their fabulous coordination of this extraordinary event. Special shout out to the businesses from our local area for their sponsorship and in-kind donations. Big thanks also to all St Monica’s families for the selling of raffle tickets, donations for the cake stall, white elephant stall and more…. It is going to be a magnificent day!!
Important dates:
Week 8
- Friday 22 March: National Ride2School Day. Meet at the Evatt shops @ 8:20am
- Friday 22 March: Whole School Prayer – 1W Palm Sunday
Week 9
- Mon 25 – Wed 27 March: Year 5 Camp
- Thursday 28 March: Plain clothes day (please bring in items for Tombola)
- Friday 29 March: Good Friday (Public holiday)
Week 10
- Monday 1 April: Easter Monday (Public holiday)
- Wed 3 and Thurs 4 April: Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Friday 5 April: Star Awards (Courtyard)
- Saturday 6 April: FETE!!
Week 11
- Wednesday 10 April: Athletics Carnival Merici College
Term 2
- Monday 29 April – Pupil Free Day for all students.
- Tuesday 30 April – Term 2 begins. Students return in their Winter Uniform.
Peace and blessings to all families,
Prayer and Worship
Tomorrow we will gather as a whole school in St Monica’s church for our Whole School Prayer led by 1 White on Palm Sunday. We would like to invite all members of our comunity to join us for the Palm Sunday service this weekend.
Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week. During this week, we prepare ourselves for Easter by prayerfully reflecting on the events of Jesus’ passion and death. During this week, your family might display a crucifix in a prominent place as reminder of the salvation that Christ won for us. This can also serve as the focal point for family prayer during Holy Week.
Because of the length and complexity of the passion narrative, it is difficult for children to remain attentive when it is proclaimed in its entirety. Families can make it a tradition to read a portion of this Sunday’s Gospel each day of Holy Week, providing ample opportunity for children to ask questions and respond to the events described there. In this way, the entire week can become a “way of the cross.”
Today all students in Year 4 participated in a Reconciliation Retreat. We retreated from our usual school day and spent our time in the Church and Parish grounds. The children participated in a range of art and drama activities to develop their understanding of the Parable of The Prodigal Son, shared a pizza lunch and finished the day creating an artwork and liturgy in the classrooms. We thank Mrs Currie, Mrs Lustica, Mr McFadden and Mr Mass for leading our day.
We have 50 of our students preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We also have some students choosing to be Baptised. I look forward to sharing their good news over the coming weeks.
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Term 1 Liturgical Life of St Monica’s Primary School |
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Whole School Prayer |
Grade Masses |
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Week 9 |
Whole School Liturgy Focus: Holy Thursday, Thursday 9.15am
Good Friday led by Year 6 throughout the day Thursday |
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Week 10 |
Whole School Liturgy Focus: Easter Tuesday 9.15am |
Grade Mass Wednesday 9.30am: Year 1 and K |
Social Action and Justice
Fifth Week of Lent
As of last week, we have raised an incredible $798 for Project Compassion. We still have another 1 week of our fundraising period and if you have capacity your donations are appreciated. Each week our Year 6 Faith and Justice students go into each class to lead a Lenten reflection and share the stories of those our funds are helping.
The work of Caritas Australia is only possible with the dedication, passion and tenacity of our local partners who implement the programs. They are the heroes on the ground, working tirelessly behind-the-scenes every day to create a better future for their communities.
Caritas Australia partners with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) to support communities living in urban slums in the Philippines. FCJ runs a number of programs that include house renovating, food processing, basic literacy skills, urban gardening, upcycling and income generating activities. They also have a clinic visited weekly by a doctor and community nurse.
Caritas Australia partners with Caritas Samoa to assist communities to have increased access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene to ensure human health and well-being by providing water tanks and sanitation facilities.
Caritas Australia partners with the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi through the A+ program. Since 2016, the A+ program has helped 7,397 families across Malawi improve their food security, access to basic water and sanitation, boost women’s income generation and strengthen child protection.
Please donate to Project Compassion.
Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.
You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.
2024 Parish Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and in Years 4-6 in 2024.
Sacraments to be celebrated in 2024
Sacrament of Reconciliation – will be celebrated during Term 1 on:
Tuesday 2 April in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen;
Wednesday 3 April in St Monica’s Church, Evatt; and
Thursday 4 April in St Monica’s Church, Evatt.
Registrations are now closed and no late registrations can be accepted.
Trybooking – to book a 5 minute spot for your child to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Trybooking links are open and will close on Friday 22 March.
The links are available on the Parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth
If you are having trouble booking the time you would like just book the date and send a trybooking message of the time you would like and you will be sent a confirmation email with the best available time.
Alternatively – there will also be a booking sheet available on Thursday evening at the parent/child formation meeting.
Parent/Child Formation meeting – Thursday 21 March – 6-7pm – St Monica’s Church
Students and at least 1 parent are to attend the parent/child formation meeting this Thursday evening in St Monica’s Church, Evatt. Children should also bring their home booklet with them.
Sacrament of First Communion - will be celebrated across the four Sunday Parish Masses on the weekend of 15 and 16 June.
Sacrament of Confirmation – will be celebrated on 17, 18, and 19 September.
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
Fete Update
Thank you to everyone who has offered to volunteer at the Fete. We still have about 20 spaces to fill between 12pm-4pm. If you are able to help please sign up here https://volunteersignup.org/FTKLR
Also a massive thanks to all families who have already donated items for class raffle prizes and chocolate and lolly toss prizes. We still require more of these items to complete the raffle baskets and also to be able to run the chocolate and lolly toss stall which is a massive hit at the Fete.
Don’t forget next Thursday 28 March will be the day to bring in your Tombola jars filled with goodies. In exchange children can have a non-uniform day and will receive a raffle ticket for each jar they bring in. Tickets will be drawn on Thursday afternoon and children have the chance to win one of two Easter baskets which have been kindly donated by one of our amazing Fete Sponsors Luxe Electrical.
One last thing we are asking for is for you to return your Cake Stall notes and also advise if you can bake scones for the Devonshire Tea Stall.
Below is the Family Check List sheet so you can keep track of what is needed for Fete day.
Not long to go now…
The Fete Team
Scholastic Book Club
Thank you to the parents who have placed their order on this Issue of Book Club! There is still time to order if you haven't already. The most popular title we’ve noticed in this Issue is Where’s the Easter Bunny? Around the World. Orders for Issue 2 close on Monday 25 March at 9am.
A fun day was had yesterday with transport and building blocks with a dollop of shaving cream to explore the senses. We had fun reading the Gingerbread Man and making faces to explore what emotions the characters in the story might be feeling, even some suggestions to make some gingerbread in the upcoming weeks! We also welcomed 2 new families into the fun. Next week we will be doing lots of Easter craft so come along!
MERICI COLLEGE ENROLLING NOW CAMPAIGN
A wonderful opportunity for prospective families to see the College in action, meet our students and attend the Principal’s Address, Year 7 and 11 Information Evenings and lots more.
We are enrolling now for 2025 and beyond!
Please visit www.merici.college for all dates and information for our Open Day, Be a Merici Girl Days and Talk and Tours. Register online now!
Open Day, Principal’s Address and Year 7 2025 Information Night: Wednesday 8 May, Be a Merici Girl Days: 3, 6, 13 May, Talk and Tours: 11 May
