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Dear Parents,
This week students have been learning about and participating in whole school prayer linked to the events of Holy Week. The season of Easter, and in particular the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday is the foundational belief of the Catholic faith and all other Christian traditions.
Two weeks ago we held our Easter Concert which recounted the events of Holy Week. This was well attended by parents. Our desire is to do this in the lead up to Easter every year. This will be our main focus and celebration as a school for Easter in the years to come. I would like to see this become a school tradition that conveys to students the meaning of Easter.
Often teachers give a gift of Easter Eggs to students in their classes however Catholic Education has asked schools to do this following the resurrection, which means when the students return to school.
Upcoming dates - start of Term Two
Week One
April 8 Western Region Cross Country - Grenfell
Week Two
May 1 Enrolment period commences
May 2 Open Day - 9am - 10.30am
May 4 North Canberra Chess Competition
Week 3
May 8 Year Six - First Aid
May 10 St Mary’s Soccer Carnival
May 11 Book Fair & second Open Day
May 12 Mother’s Day prayer service and open classrooms
Uniforms
Parents are reminded that from the beginning of term, students are to wear their Winter uniform. The wearing of hats is optional, but recommended in Terms Two and Three.
Term Two
Term Two will commence for students on Wednesday 26th April and concludes on Friday 30th June.
I wish all families and staff a restful Easter break and for those travelling I hope you do so safely. Thank you to everyone for their efforts in what was a very busy term.
GOSPEL: John 20:1-9
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,' she said, 'and we don't know where they have put him.' So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter, following him, also came up, went into the tomb, saw the linen cloths lying on the ground and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had still not understood the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
REFLECTION
The Gospel today is a bit jarring after the readings we have heard in the past couple of days. This Gospel presents the scene that takes place right after Jesus’ crucifixion. It is the scene where Mary Magdalene comes running to Peter and John and tells them that someone has taken Jesus’ body from the tomb. Mary panics because Jesus’ body has disappeared!
Have you ever experienced a time in your life when Jesus seems to have disappeared? A time when you felt the absence of Jesus in your life? These times can be very dark, frightening, and we may feel lost and alone. This experience may be brief or it may go on for days or weeks. How do we respond to this “felt loss” of Jesus’ presence? Do we panic and search for Him? Or do we trust that we once again will experience His presence? Are we able to stay grounded in Jesus’ love for us? Or do we give up and walk away?
In my life, when I experience the absence of Jesus, I usually come to understand that I am the one who has wandered away---not Jesus! And even if this is not the case for you, are we willing to stand firm and wait for Jesus to come? Can we wait peacefully, trusting that Jesus is with us? Or can we imitate Peter’s response to Jesus’ seeming absence? Are we able to see and believe---and trust that Jesus is with us?
May we pray for the grace to know that Jesus will not abandon us! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpanau)
EASTER CONCERT
Thanks to all the families who came and supported us at our Easter Concert. It was wonderful having David Enever work with each class and then enjoy their performance at the concert. We look forward to welcoming him back in 2023.
SACRAMENTS
Thanks to everyone who registered for the 2023 Sacramental program. Please note the dates for this year's Sacraments.
Reconciliation: Tuesday 9th May at 5:30pm
First Eucharist: Saturday June 10th at 6pm or Sunday June 11th at 10am
Confirmation: Saturday September 9th at 6pm or Sunday September 10th at 10am
HAPPY EASTER
Thanks to everyone for their support during the Term. I hope you all have a holy and happy Easter and I look forward to seeing you all after a well earned break.
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
(Religious Education Coordinator)
A MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP CHRISTOPHER PROWSE
EASTER MESSAGE 2023
WALKING TOGETHER WITH OUR FIRST AUSTRALIANS
Aboriginal leader, Noel Pearson, last year described his people as “much unloved.” In a distressing observation, he stated that although Australians “hold and express strong views on us…few have met us and a small minority count us as friends.”
At this Easter time, we can see ongoing suffering continues in the everyday lives of our beloved First Australians: the high death rates in custody, imprisonment, the persistence of totally unacceptable socio-economic and health statistics, suicides, scattered opinions regarding a Constitutional “Voice to Parliament”, racist attitudes in sport, and so on.
The Crucified Christ also has an “Aboriginal face”.
Despised and rejected like Jesus, the Good Friday of their suffering continues seemingly unabated.
With all wounded humanity, but especially our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we unite our sufferings with the sufferings of Jesus and receive redemption in the mercy of God.
Easter gives us hope that the Light has destroyed the darkness of alienation and brought us peace in “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” We WALK TOGETHER embracing the Resurrected Victory of Jesus. We carry each other, especially the battlers, closely on our final journey to the fullness of Resurrected glory.
Let us WALK TOGETHER with our First Australians. Practically, this means seeking them out in true friendship in our local communities. Also, trying our best to understand life from their perspective. Practical help will follow. Over these coming months, a Constitutional “Voice to Parliament” will need ears that truly listen.
Then Australia will truly become the Australia God wants us to be – a Resurrected Missionary People washed clean in “the Blood of the Lamb” that lives forever in Easter hope and joy.
Happy Easter to all, Alleluia!
Archbishop Christopher Prowse
Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn
Apostolic Administrator, Military Ordinariate of Australia
Easter 2023
KINDERGARTEN 2024 ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2024 are now being taken. Please complete the online enrolment form located at https://stmarysyoung.nsw.edu.au/how-to-enrol
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with Mr Hughes, please contact the front office.
Please see below regarding our upcoming Open Days and the Kindy-Set-Go orientation program.
ANZAC Day 2023
We have been invited by the President of Young RSL, Mr Phillip Mitchell, to participate in the Commemoration of ANZAC on 25th April 2023, including the march and ceremonies at Anderson Park. Any St Mary’s students are encouraged to be a part of this important ceremony. Please indicate your children’s ability to attend in the attached google form by the end of term, Thursday 6th April.
All students who attend the march are asked to march in their full winter school uniform. We will be assembling at the Town Hall at 10.30am. Staff will be marching with the students.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Shoot keys have been sent home with all children today.
Please visit https://online.cliffdykes.com.au/ordering/access to view, select and order your child’s school photos. Please note that all orders need to be received by Thursday 27th April otherwise a late fee may be charged by the photographers.