Dear St Monica’s families and friends,

This week is Sabbath Week and although a number of us feel as though the busyness of life hasn’t slowed down, I hope some pockets of rest have been found. Pope Francis delivered this speech in March and brings our purpose on Earth back to reality.

“You can have flaws, be anxious and even be angry, but don’t forget that your life is the greatest business in the world. Only you can stop it from failure. You are appreciated, admired and loved by many. Remember that being happy is not having a sky without storms, a road without accidents, a job without effort, relationships without disappointments.”

“Being happy is to stop feeling a victim and become the author of your own destiny. It's going through deserts, but being able to find an oasis deep in your soul. It's to thank God every morning for the miracle of life. It’s kissing your children, cuddling your parents, having poetic moments with your friends, even when they hurt us.”

“To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple. It's having maturity to be able to say: "I made mistakes". Having the courage to say "I'm sorry". It's having a sensitivity to say "I need you". Is having the ability to say "I love you". May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness... that in spring I can be a lover of joy and in winter a lover of wisdom.”

"When you make a mistake, start over. Because only then will you fall in love with life. You will find that being happy doesn't mean having a perfect life. But she uses tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your defeats to train your patience.”

"Use your mistakes with the serenity of the sculptor. Use pain to tune into pleasure. Use obstacles to open the windows of intelligence. Never give up ... Above all, never give up on the people that love you. Never give up on happiness, because life is an amazing show."

POPE FRANCIS

Confirmation Retreat – Thank you Mrs Melanie Straford, Mrs Erica Tolich and Mr Ethan Mass for their careful preparation of this faith experience for our students. The students, with the support of their teachers and senior students from SFX, will explore the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and their own personal gifts and charisms. Following the discovery of their charisms, students will be invited to think about how they can use their gifts in practical ways and incorporate them into their interactions with others. I know the Holy Spirit is present with them, guiding and empowering them every step of the way.

Musical Update – Our musical is coming together nicely! Props and backdrops were moved up to the hall yesterday, our School Community Council funded sound upgrade and projector replacement is happening today and the Tech Crew from SFX, in official theatre terms, “Bump In” on Saturday.

If you haven’t done so already please send your child’s costume into school. It is expected that all students attend on both nights, not just on the night family and friends are coming to watch. Please advise your child’s classroom teacher if they are not able to attend a performance.

A massive thank you to everyone who sponsored our walkathon last week and congratulations to the following children who won the walkathon prizes.

Kinder: Riley G

Year 1: Zara P

Year 2: Harley B

Year 3: Leo S

Year 4: Ronan G

Year 5: Hannah A

Year 6: Alexis B

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? 

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. Please continue to keep these children in your prayers. 

Altar Servers Club

Did you know that  your child can play an active role in our parish? Last Friday one of our past students spoke to all students in Years 4-6 to share an opportunity on how to play an active role in the mass. 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 a Friday afternoon after school  in the parish meeting room each fortnight. See the information below about how to become involved. 

Dear St Monica's Families, My name is Katie Brasnett, I am an acolyte and I run the altar servers club at St Monica's church. We meet every even Friday (Weeks 2,4,6,8,10) from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm.   

As Catholics, we are all called to come to church and receive our Lord in eucharist. Becoming an altar server is a chance for your child to grow stronger in their faith by participating in the tradition of the church. It is a good job for kids to have because it means they have something to do during mass. It also gets them more involved in the Parish community as they get to know the other altar servers, the Priest, the acolytes and other parishioners.   

The altar servers club is for altar servers and potential altar servers to get together in a social way. We generally centre our meetings around either an activity or a discussion topic, but it's a relaxed environment where the main goal is to have fun, get to know each other and explore our faith. Your child doesn't need to be certain they want to become an altar server to join either. If they just want to find out a bit more about altar serving and the Church, then this is for them. There's no pressure. They can take their time, come to the club and start serving when they are ready.   

If your child would like to join the club or you have any questions, please email me at katiebrasnett@yahoo.com or call/ text me at 0421441171.  

I hope to see many new faces in the future. 

God bless  

From Katie  

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 haven't 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.  

 Will being part of the club mean I get trained as an Altar server?  

Yes, of course. But don't worry, we won't put you on the Altar until you feel confident.    

 Flourishing in the Footsteps 

2024 Parish Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and in Years 4-6 in 2024.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on - 

Tuesday 17 September at 6.00pm in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen;

Wednesday 18 September at 6.00pm in St Monica’s Church, Evatt; and

Thursday 19 September at 6.00pm in St Monica’s Church, Evatt.

Registrations are now closed.

ALSO – Please get in touch if you haven’t specified a Saint’s name or a sponsor by emailing sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au

TRYBOOKING HAS NOW CLOSED – contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator ASAP to be registered manually by emailing 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 students who recently represented St Monica's at the Belconnen Athletics Carnival.

The following students placed in their events. We will present their ribbons at our award assembly on Friday in Week 9. 

Lucy P - 70m, 100m

Emerson P - 100m

Nikolas H - 100m, 200m

Karlin - 100m, 200m

Vera - Discus

We wish them all the best in the upcoming A.C.T Carnival. 

We are now accepting enrolments for Semester 2 in all year levels. Do you know of someone who is considering a transfer across to St Monica’s but they are worried they have left it too late to enrol or about how their child will transition to a new school? Please encourage them to make an appointment with me and reassure them that the St Monica’s community is comprised of families and teachers who genuinely care for one another and it is a place where you will instantly feel like you belong.