RE News - Laura Matchett

Gospel Reflection Luke 24:46-53

Today we celebrate the feast day of the Ascension. This Sunday’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ final moments with His disciples before ascending into heaven. Jesus reminds His followers that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer, die, and rise from the dead on the third day. He then commissions the disciples to be witnesses to His life, death, and resurrection, telling them to spread the message of forgiveness and new life to all nations. Finally, Jesus blesses them and is taken up into heaven, and the disciples return to Jerusalem filled with joy and praise.

The message of this passage is one of hope, mission, and joy. Jesus assures His followers that His story does not end with His death, but continues through their lives and witness. It reminds us — as parents, teachers, and members of the Church — that we are called to live out and share the Good News with others through love, kindness, and faith.

As we move through this season of Easter, may we all be inspired by the joy of the disciples and their trust in Jesus’ promise that we are never alone.

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.

Reconciliation Week Prayer Celebration - presented by Year 2 on Friday 30th May

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 11th June - led by Year 4

Wednesday 25th June - led by Year 3

St Vincent de Paul

In term 2, our social justice and fundraising focus turns to St Vincent de Paul in preparation for the Winter Appeal. We are always looking for donations for our hygiene station which is located in the school’s foyer area. We welcome donations of new and sealed hygiene products 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 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 Confirmation are currently open. First Eucharist registrations have now closed for 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://stjjvwestoncreek.blogspot.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:

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