RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. The Feast of Pentecost takes place 50 days after Easter, and celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and fulfils the promise of Jesus. In Christian tradition, the Feast of Pentecost not only commemorates the Holy Spirit but also marks the birth of the Church. We pray that,with the Holy Spirit, we will be empowered to overcome the barriers and divisions that separate us from God and from each other. Although the Easter candle has been extinguished, the light of Christ will continue to burn brightly in our hearts. Let us reflect on all the marvellous things that God is doing among us and rejoice and celebrate the feast of the Spirit!
Feast of Our Lady Help of Christian’s Mass
On Friday the 24th May, we commemorate the special feast of Our Lady Help of Christian’s. Mary is the patron saint of our country, Australia. As a school community we will pray to Mary who intercedes for us so that, “under her protection our country Australia may be granted harmony, justice and peace.” The infant church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. No priests were sent to the colony in its early days and Mass was not allowed except for one brief year until 1820. The Australian Catholic community remained faithful to Mary, and Australia was the first nation to choose her under the title, ‘Mary Help of Christians’ as principal Patroness. All parents are warmly invited to join us in prayer for our whole school Mass at 9:15am. Vision and Mission
This term we begin our work on our Annual Improvement Plan Goal of, “In 2024 we will review our School Vision and Mission.’ Gary Quinn who is part of the Catholic Life, Education and Mission Team worked with the staff this week to begin this process. As a staff we reflected on our core beliefs as Catholic Educators and what actions therefore are important in our school. We also reflected on what we would like a graduate of our school to have experienced, know and understand about themselves, their faith, learning and personal wellbeing. This work will continue throughout the term and form part of our staff development day on the last day of this term. Next term, Gary will work with the students, parents and parish to revise and refine our school vision and mission. This work will also inform our school vision for learning.
Laudato Si Week (19/5-26/5)
Laudato Si’ Week is the annual celebration that marks the publication of the encyclical Laudato Si’.
2024 marks nine years of Laudato Si’ and will be celebrated from 19th - 26th May. This year’s theme is "Seeds of Hope", inspired by Laudate Deum which exhorts: "There are no lasting changes without cultural changes [...] and there are no cultural changes without personal changes" (LD 70).
This Laudato Si’ Week invites the global church to contemplate and nurture seeds of hope for our “suffering planet” (LD 2). The theme is inspired by the symbol for the Season of Creation 2024, “first fruits.” Let us be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, rooted in faith and love.
I encourage you to try the activity below on Pentecost Sunday…
The students and staff at Holy Cross will be engaging in some activities, such as this one to engage in an understanding of the importance of caring for our common home.
If you would like to find out more about “Laudato Si Week” I encourage you to visit:
In Peace,
Mrs Debbie Turton
Religious Education Coordinator