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Put simply by Mother Teresa, “Saints are only sinners who keep trying.” As we are reminded to imitate the goodness of the saints this week, we do so with the comfort of knowing that God’s love is never too far out of reach. Knowing we are always loved; our goal then is to simply keep trying for goodness. Venerated or not, this is the path to holiness.
Officially known as the “Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed,” All Souls’ Day is a day to celebrate, honour, and pray for all those who have died to rest peacefully with God.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon
them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through
the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Conscious of student use of digital technology daily at school and at home we wish to inform parents and carers of the esafety commissioner (esafety), a government agency dedicated to keeping people safer online. Their purpose is to help safeguard all Australians from online harms and to promote safer, more positive online experiences.
The esafety commissioner (esafety), uses research, evidence and experience to lead and advise on online safety issues and deliver comprehensive services that are compassionate and focused on people. Should you wish to learn more then please access:
PARISH FAMILY FAITH NIGHTS for PARENTS and CHILDREN
You are invited and warmly welcome to attend the Parish Family Faith Nights.
The purpose of these nights is to:
1: develop knowledge of the Catholic faith.
explain why we as Catholics do the things we do.
2: learn answers about our faith, beliefs, practices and saints.
3: create a space where people can deepen their understanding of
the faith, engage in conversation with like-minded people and be
multigenerational.
4: create a group where the future generation of the Church can
meet, learn, form friendships and feel a part of a Parish family.
5: deepen Catholic bonds within the parish and school with a family
focus.
6: create an environment where people can talk about faith openly.
The Family Faith Night gatherings are open to everyone, young and old with only a gold coin donation to cover resources. The Family Faith Night Team look forward to meeting you. If you are interested please contact Jody at the parish office on 4274 1192.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOURS FOR LEARNING (PB4L), SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)
Our PB4L/SEL focus for Week 5 will be: Having a Conversation
In the explicit teaching lessons, the expected behaviours taught will be:
* Look at the person.
* Use a pleasant voice.
* Listen to what the other person says.
* When there is a break in the conversation, ask a question or share your
thoughts.
Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respectful, Responsible and Safe behaviour when Having a Conversation to be taught include:
* Looking away from the person speaking.
* Shouting
* Ignoring what they are saying.
* Interrupting
Our PB4L/SEL focus for Week 6 will be: Sharing with other Others
In the explicit teaching lessons, the expected behaviours taught will be:
* Let the person use the item first.
* Ask if you can use it later.
* Offer it back to the other person after you have used it.
Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respectful, Responsible and Safe behaviour when Sharing with other Others to be taught include:
* Using the item without asking
* Snatching the item from the other person
We would very much appreciate your discussing these weekly focuses with your children and reviewing the expected and non-acceptable behaviours in our endeavour to see that St Patrick’s is a more respectful, responsible, and safe learning community for all.
PB4L Data
It is with pride that I inform you that over the last two weeks 44 students were given Citizenship, Merit, Library or Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards whilst there were 4 incidents of Inappropriate behaviour recorded.
Mr Gavan Hoctor - Acting Principal
World Mission Month/Crazy Sock Day
We had an incredible day on Tuesday of last week where we celebrated and prayed for World Mission Month. The day began with a liturgy lead by our friends and compassionate volunteers from Mini Vinnies. The children lead prayer for the welfare of those more needy than us, and also taught us about the plight of people living in Timor Leste.
Following this at lunchtime the girls and boys ran a yummy ice cream stall, where they sold ice creams for $2 each. Of course, it was also Crazy Sock Day, so with the donations from the students wearing crazy socks and the money raised from the ice cream sale we raised over $400! All of the money will go to Timor Leste, where missionaries seek to provide life-fulfilling opportunities for children in need.
Once again, many thanks for your generosity and compassion.
First Holy Communion
Several children are continuing their preparations for First Holy Communion at St Patrick’s, Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Unanderra and also at St Therese West Wollongong.
Please remember to keep these girls and boys in your prayers during this most special and sacred time in their journey as Catholics.
First Holy Communion will be held at St Patrick’s Parish Port Kembla on Sunday November 26 th at 9am, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish Unanderra on Saturday November 11 th at 11:30am and at 2pm, and at St Therese West Wollongong this Saturday November 5 th at 2pm. All community members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
All Saints and All Souls Day
We commemorated the significant days of All Saints (November 1 st ) and All Souls Day (November 2) at school this week.
Please find a spiritual reflection as shared with all staff in the Diocese of Wollongong.
All Saints and All Souls, 1 and 2 November
A Time to Remember, Heal and Grow
At the beginning of November, we acknowledge two significant days in our Church calendar, both All Saints Day and All Souls Day. These are days when we are able to remember those whohave gone before us.
There is a wonderful saying, “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” This succinctly reminds us of our common humanity. We would be misguided to think that the Saints all lived idyllic lives infused with constant prayer and commitment. Saints are those who have fallen down but continue to get up. They came to deeply trust in God often through a lifetime of challenges and turmoil.
A few years ago Fr Richard Leonard SJ spoke to our Diocese about the importance and value of reclaiming the stories of our Saints. As we come to know some of their stories of struggle, anxiety, doubt, fears and fumbling we begin to see that their stories are not far from our own. Their example however can provide us with much needed guidance, inspiration, courage or hope and we call on this as we pray to them.
All Saints Day is also about taking some time to acknowledge the many “anonymous saints” in our lives. These are the people who touched our lives but their story did not receive the same profile as other Saints. They are the people of hope, in spite of what happened. They seemed to be able to connect into the love of God and the joy of God, even in the messiness of life. Whilst they were here on earth, their story and authenticity gave us strength and comfort and as we pray to them, we can continue to draw on this.
On All Souls Day, we reconnect with our loved ones who have died. We keep the “faithful departed” in our memory and ask them to keep us in their sight, as they come to see God. Ronald Rolheiser commented, “We and they can still feel each other, know each other, love each other, console each other, and influence each other. Our lives are still joined. Hence we pray for the dead in order to remain in contact with them.”
Whilst we would love things to be different when someone dies, there can be feelings of regret or deep sadness due to things that have not been said or resolved. Rolheiser compassionately expresses that, “To believe in the communion of saints is to believe that we can still tend to unfinished business in our relationships, even after death. We can still talk to those who have died and we can, even now, say the words of love, forgiveness, gratitude, and regret.” So as we reflect on All Saints Day we are invited to join the Communion of Saints and to reconnect with those well known and unknown saints who inspire or guide us. And on All Souls Day we have an opportunity to reach out yet again to those who have gone before us and to experience the healing and growth we so long for.
Consider: Are there some words that you missed expressing and would like to share with someone who died? Take some time, when you’re ready to journal these words or bring these to your prayer.
Kind regards,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator
A friendly reminder to please finalise your school fees by 8 December 2023.
Please see following information from School Fees Liaison Team
PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT – NEW FAMILIES TO OUR SCHOOL
School Fees are invoiced as an annual account, due for payment in full 30 days after invoicing. However, many families elect to pay their school fees by regular instalments and as a new family to our school, we would like to offer you this option. If you wish to take up this offer, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request, either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg Weekly to Fortnightly
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2024 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request
carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
School Fees Liaison Team
