Celebrating Pentecost: The Coming of the Holy Spirit

This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, a joyful and significant

event in our Church calendar, often referred to as the birthday of the Church. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter and marks the fulfilment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to His apostles. On this day, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples as tongues of fire and a mighty wind, empowering them with courage and gifts, like the ability to speak in different languages, to go out and share the Good News of Jesus with the world. Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit is with us too, guiding, strengthening, and inspiring us to live out our faith and share God's love with everyone. Maybe ask your children what they have learned about Pentecost at school to allow them to share their learning with you.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love and peace. Inspire us with your wisdom and courage, that we may joyfully share your light with all those we meet. Amen.

First Holy Communion

Next week, 12 June, the students who are receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will have their second communion workshop with Father Paul at 6pm in the parish hall. The 3rd workshop will be Thursday evening, 26 June, 6pm. We will also be having a First Holy Communion retreat day in the Parish hall on 27 June. (More information to follow at the information night). 

Please keep these students in your prayers as they prepare for this special Sacrament. I echo Fr. Paul’s words when I strongly encourage all students who are receiving this important sacrament to attend our Parish Mass on Sunday at 8:30am, especially in these remaining weeks of preparation for First Holy Communion. It is an essential and integral part of your child’s preparation. 

First Holy Communion Mass will be on Sunday 29 June, 10.00am

Pyjama Day (Week 10)

On 3 July (last day of term), all students are invited to participate in the Pyjama Day

by wearing their warm winter pyjamas to school and making a gold coin donation. The funds raised will be donated to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal to assist needy families in our local community this winter. More information regarding this fundraiser organised by the Mini Vinnies team will be sent via Compass. 

In addition to this, families are encouraged to send in donations for hampers to be donated to families in need. Please see the items below for each grade. Every donation matters and will go to a needy family in our local community, thank you in advance for your generosity.

Kinder - Tinned soup

Year 1 - Spreads such as vegemite, jam , honey etc

Year 2 - Breakfast items such as porridge, cereal etc

Year 3 - Tea, coffee milk etc

Year 4 - Tinned spaghetti, baked beans or an “on-toast”  food

Year 5 - Dessert mixes such as pancake mix, golden syrup etc

Year 6 - Packet of casserole foods such as pasta, rice or a jar of sauce 

Dates of upcoming events

Grade Masses 

Our grade masses are a chance for our students to participate with the parish in weekday masses. You are warmly invited to attend.

Thursday 12 June 9am Years 2,3 and 4 (Week 7)

Thursday 19 June 9am Years 5 and Kindergarten (Week 8)

Thursday 26 June 9am Years 1 and 6 Mass (Week 9)

Whole School Mass: Feast of the Sacred Heart Friday 27 June 9:15am

Mary Help of Christian’s Liturgy

A late change of venue due to the weather did not ‘dampen’ our spirits for our Whole School Liturgy for Mary Help of Christian’s Liturgy of the word. A special mention to our beautiful Year 4 students who led the school in a liturgical movement and to all of the readers who led us in prayer.

In Peace,

Mrs Debbie Turton
Religious Education Coordinator

The Pilgrims of Hope - Jubilee Year Passports.

We thank Bishop Brian and our diocese for providing a copy of

this resource to all Catholic school staff and students (Years 2–12). Pope Francis proclaimed 2025 a Holy Year of Jubilee, a special year of grace, prayerfulness and service. This week you will receive a copy for your child and family to share and talk about. We encourage you to visit the diocesan “pilgrimage” sites for mass or prayer. Most particularly in light of his passing, this year’s Jubilee now holds a special call for us each and all to holiness and to mission, as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. The resource includes:

• Instructions on obtaining the Jubilee indulgence.
• Prayers for pilgrims to deepen their spiritual journey.
• A comprehensive guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• A dedicated space to record and stamp visits at each designated pilgrimage site.

Bishop Brian Mascord will personally visit each pilgrimage site during the Holy Year to impart the papal blessing. This blessing, accompanied by the usual conditions, offers another opportunity to gain a plenary indulgence. His next visit is this Sunday 7th June at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Rosemeadow. 

Understanding the Jubilee indulgence

Pope Francis invites us to rediscover the boundless mercy of God through the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence (complete forgiveness of the temporal effects of sin, such as spiritual consequences of forgiven sins). This extraordinary gift of grace is offered to all the faithful who are truly repentant (feeling deep sorrow for sins committed), free from attachment to sin (a deliberate decision to avoid sin in all forms), and sincerely seek God’s forgiveness and renewal. The indulgence allows us to experience the transformative power of reconciliation with God and others.

To receive this gift, the faithful are called to:

• Be purified through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Receive the Holy Eucharist with a heart open to grace.
• Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
• Embrace a spirit of charity and humility.

What is an indulgence?

An indulgence is a sign of God’s abundant mercy, extended through the Church to free us from the residual effects of sin (the spiritual harm left behind even after sin is forgiven). While the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession of sins to a priest) forgives sins, an indulgence helps to heal the lingering wounds caused by sin, enabling a person to grow in holiness. This grace strengthens us to love more fully and avoid falling into sin again.

As Pope Francis reminds us, “The Jubilee indulgence is a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy” (Spes non confundit). Through this grace, we grow closer to God and share in his divine love and mercy.

How to obtain the Jubilee indulgence? Go to the Diocesan Jubilee Webpage to explore more about the Jubilee Year.