Onesie and Pyjama Day & Vinnies Van Visit

Onesie & Pyjama Day was a huge success and a wonderful day for the girls and boys. We raised $248.20 which will go towards the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, and we also received a massive amount of food donations for the appeal.
Furthermore, the children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 had a special visit to the ‘Vinnies Van’ on Tuesday. A member of St Vincent de Paul drove the van to our school, and the children had a tour of the van and learned how Vinnies support people in our community. It was an excellent experience forthe children, and we thank Kelly from St Vincent de Paul for giving up her time to visit our school.
A gentle reminder that we are accepting donations of canned soup, packet soup and breakfast cereal until the end of this term.

Confirmation – Year 6 Students

Congratulations to the girls and boys in Year 6 who received the sacrament of Confirmation Sunday week ago in our Parish, and also last Thursday evening at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Unanderra. All the children were lucky to be Confirmed by Bishop Brian, and both ceremonies were truly special and sacred for the girls and boys. May these children continue to live in the footsteps of Jesus as Confirmed Catholics, being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Today we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart, a particularly special day for our Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart who continue to be such a special part of our community. 

Please find a spiritual reflection about the Feast of the Sacred Heart below:

Jesus' Heart, Our Heart
Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus  
The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated this Friday 16 June 2023. At the Chapel within the Marist Hermitage in Mittagong, there is a stained-glass window depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When given the opportunity to really sit with this icon, it becomes apparent that there are many layers of thought and meaning which have great significance today. 
Many of us are initially struck by Jesus’ heart in this icon as it is not within the body. It is a heart that is exposed and can be seen by others. And it is a heart that is wounded and pierced. This exposed and wounded heart speaks of the importance of authenticity and of the power of vulnerability.

In Jesus’ exposed heart we see an authentic Jesus who revealed who he was through the way he lived and loved. He let others around him know where his heart was at and he was able to reveal through his words and actions what was most important to him. Where is your heart? And how do you show others what’s important to you or what you love the most?
In Jesus’ wounded heart we see a vulnerable Jesus who revealed that these painful wounds can also be sources of new life. Experiencing pain is a natural part of the human condition and yet we are not always comfortable sitting with our own woundedness or the woundedness of those around us.
“Vulnerability is not weakness, it’s our greatest measure of courage.”   Brene Brown
One of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves or to another human being is to offer a space for these pains or struggles to be named. At times we either avoid discussing these more painful issues out of fear of upsetting someone further or we move into a practical response and try to do things for someone in pain. Whilst these are most generous acts, sometimes what is needed even more, is the willingness of someone to sit with them in their struggle. 
Dr Susan David, a Clinical Psychologist, recently shared a short reflection on social media about the power of just sitting with someone in their pain. She expressed that one of the most powerful phrases we can share with someone is, “Tell me more”. She went on to say, “It is such a gorgeous invitation to a shared sense of exploration and a shared moment of compassion.”
As we look a little further at this icon we also see Jesus pointing to his own heart with one hand and to heaven with the other hand. This gesture highlights the way in which, through our human loving acts, we can experience and share divine love. As we share our authentic and vulnerable selves with others and allow others to do the same, we reveal the person of Jesus Christ. 

A Moment to Reflect:
How do you respond to your own woundedness or to the woundedness of others?
Do you run away or do you see these as opportunities for life to come forth?

All the best,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator