Who was St. Patrick?                                                                   

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was a Christian missionary who helped spread the message of Jesus in Ireland a very long time ago! Even though he was not born in Ireland, he became one of the most important saints in Irish history.

Where was St. Patrick from?                                                          

St. Patrick was born in Britain. When he was about 16 years old, he was captured by pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. He had to work as a shepherd, looking after sheep.

How did St. Patrick find God?                                                         

While he was alone in the fields, Patrick prayed to God every day. After many years, he had a dream where God told him to escape and go back home. He listened to God’s call and found a way back to Britain.

Why did St. Patrick return to Ireland?                                            

After becoming a priest and later a bishop, Patrick had another dream where God told him to go back to Ireland to teach the people about Jesus. He bravely returned to the land where he had once been a slave, bringing the message of God’s love. St. Patrick traveled across Ireland, preaching about Jesus and converting people to Christianity. He also built churches and schools to help people learn more about God.

The Story of the Shamrock                                                             

St. Patrick used a small, three-leafed plant called a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. That’s why the shamrock is a special symbol in Ireland today!

When do we celebrate St. Patrick?                                                    

We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, the day he is believed to have died. People wear green, attend church, and take part in parades to remember his great work.

Harmony Day  

Harmony Day is a time for all Australians to remember and respect our diverse cultural backgrounds and to share what we have in common. It is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. This is important to our school because we value inclusivity.

We encourage parents to take part in the celebrations by discussing the importance of cultural inclusivity at home. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Share your heritage: Talk to your child about your family's cultural background and traditions.
• Read diverse books: Explore stories from different cultures together.
• Try new foods: Cook or taste dishes from various cultural backgrounds as a fun family activity.
• Celebrate differences: Encourage open conversations about the value of diversity and respect.

By celebrating Harmony Day, we can help our children develop an appreciation for different perspectives and foster a sense of unity within our school and beyond. Thank you for your continued support in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

May we go out today with open hearts,ready to welcome, include, and celebrate each other. Let us be builders of harmony, one smile, one word, one action at a time.

Sacraments

We are overjoyed to celebrate a special milestone in the faith journey of Nicholas Mineeff, who recently received their First Holy Communion. This sacred sacrament marks an important step in the relationship with Jesus Christ and the commitment to living a life of faith, love, and devotion.

Let us all join together in prayer for Nicholas, that he may be blessed with wisdom, peace, and a lifelong love for the Eucharist.

God bless you, Nicholas.

Kind regards
Miss Casey Figueira and Mrs Olivia Cudina
Acting Religious Edcation Coordinators