RE News with Laura Matchett

Prayer for Pope Francis

Heavenly Father,​
You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis,​
and now You have called him to Yourself.​
We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy.​
For his lifelong service, we thank You.​
For his care for the poor and marginalised, we thank You.​
For his witness to simplicity, we thank You.​

In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin.​
Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence.​
Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence,​
into which we all long to be drawn.​

Protect Your Church in this time of transition.​
Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty.​
Grant them Wisdom and Courage,​
Hope and Charity,​
and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.​

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.​

Source:https:/mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayer-for-the-pope/

Prayer Celebrations Term 2

We warmly welcome parents and friends of SJV to join us for our ANZAC Day and Reconciliation Week Prayer Celebrations which are happening this term.  Both prayer celebrations will start at 2:40pm in the school hall.

School Masses

As a school, we regularly attend the Wednesday morning 9:30 am Mass at St John Vianney’s Church. The choir sings at this Mass and sometimes our students have a role in other parts of the celebration. Parents and friends of our school are welcome to join us alongside parishioners at this Mass. Dates the school will be attending Mass this term are as follows:

Wednesday 14th May - led by 5/6J

Wednesday 11th June - led by Year 4

Wednesday 25th June - led by Year 3

Project Compassion

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to our Project Compassion appeal during Lent.

Special thanks to our amazing youth ministry team for planning and running such fun and meaningful fundraising events.

Together, our school raised over $400—an incredible effort from our small but mighty community!

St Vincent de Paul

This term, our social justice and fundraising efforts are focused on supporting the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. We’re collecting donations for our hygiene station, located in the school foyer, and would greatly appreciate contributions of new, sealed hygiene items such as:

• Oral hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrushes)
• Deodorant, body spray, and perfume
• Body wash and soap
• Hair care items (shampoo, conditioner)
• Face wash and skincare products
• Moisturiser and hand sanitiser
• Sanitary products
• Toiletries bags

Your generosity helps bring comfort and dignity to those doing it tough during the colder months. Donations are made into small bags which will be distributed by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Canberra Goulburn, ensuring they reach those in our local community most in need.

If you’re wondering how you can contribute, here are a few simple ideas:

• Planning a holiday? If you visit a hotel and don’t need the complimentary toiletries, consider bringing them home to donate to our hygiene station. Please ensure they are sealed.
• Shopping for yourself? Next time you’re buying a new toothbrush or bottle of shampoo, why not pick up an extra one to help someone in need?

We thank you for your generous support of this initiative.

SPAR - Parents and Friends Prayer Group

Our SPAR Parents and Friends Prayer Group will be held regularly on Thursday mornings at 8:45am in the space between the canteen and the hall, and will run for 10 minutes. A reminder that the group is open to everyone regardless of faith background, practising or non-practising Catholics, those who pray regularly, those who haven’t prayed in a while, anyone considering becoming Catholic, anyone curious about how we pray here at school, or anyone who would like 10 minutes of peace and calm in their week! You don’t need to attend each week, it will always be open to anyone who wants to come along. 

Parents and friends with younger children are welcome to bring them along where they will be watched by Year 6 students in the hall. The prayer group will focus on reflections on the forthcoming Sunday’s Gospel, Christian meditation, significant events and feast days central to the Catholic faith or current community, national or global events. No one will be asked to share or verbally participate unless they feel comfortable to do so. I’d encourage you to consider whether this might be something you give a try this year. Please feel free to contact me: laura.matchett@cg.catholic.edu.au with any questions or feedback (particularly regarding the timing, if this is a barrier for you to attend). I hope to see you there.

Sacraments 2025

Registrations for First Eucharist and Confirmation are currently open. First Eucharist registrations will close on May 15th 2025. Families of students who are eligible to make one of the Sacraments (Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation) this year are encouraged to visit the Parish website: https:/stjvwestoncreekblogspot.com/ for information and registration details for each of the Sacraments. 

Eligibility for each Sacrament is as follows:

Reconciliation - open to students who have been baptised Catholic and who are in Year 3 or above.

First Eucharist - open to baptised Catholic students who have made their Reconciliation and are in Year 4 or above.

Confirmation - open to baptised Catholic students who have received their First Eucharist and who are in Year 6 or above.

It is possible to receive more than one Sacrament in the same year, however, the Sacraments usually need to made in order (i.e. Reconciliation, followed by First Eucharist, then Confirmation). These questions and other general enquiries about the Sacramental program are best directed to the Parish Office via email: SacramentalOLA@cg.org.au 

Key dates for this term are as follows:

First Eucharist Registration cut off: Thursday 15th May

Gathering Mass (for First Eucharist and Confirmation candidates): Saturday 14th June/Sunday 15th June (any of the weekend Masses)

Reflection Evening for First Eucharist: Tuesday 24th June, 5:30pm at St John Vianney’s Church

Sacrament of First Eucharist: Saturday 28th June, 5:30pm at St Jude’s Church and Sunday 29th June, 9am at St John Vianney’s Church.