All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day

This week we honour two special days in our Church calendar - All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. These days hold a significant place in our hearts as we remember and celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us.

All Saints’ Day (November 1st) is a time when we commemorate the countless saints, known and unknown, who have lived lives of great faith and devotion. It is a day to reflect upon and remember the exemplary lives of these people and seek inspiration from their stories. We remember that we are called to be saints in our own way, by living lives of compassion, love, faith and service to others.

All Souls’ Day (November 2nd) follows, and on this day, we remember and pray for the souls of our departed loved ones. It is a time for us to reflect on the significance of life, death, and the hopes of eternal life. We offer prayers for those who have passed away and seek comfort in knowing that they are with God, surrounded by His everlasting love.

Yesterday, we celebrated Mass as a school and Parish community and it was a wonderful reminder to ensure these days are a time of remembrance, reflection and inspiration as we celebrate the lives of the saints and we also remembered our departed loved ones. Let us take this opportunity to draw closer to our faith and to one another, finding solace in the hope of the resurrection.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Over the past five weeks many of our Year 6 students along with members of our Parish community have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is a significant step in their faith journey, a moment of spiritual growth, and a time for them to make a profound commitment to their faith and the Church. As they approach this important milestone, we invite you to join us in prayer for these young people.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a special time in the lives of our candidates. It is a moment when they will receive the Holy Spirit and be sealed with the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Let us come together as a community and be with them, and their families in prayer, asking for God's guidance, strength, and blessings as they prepare for this sacred journey.

Thank you for your love and support in this important time. May God bless our candidates!

God Bless

Mrs Amy Smith

Acting Principal

As many staff and some of our students are aware, I had the privilege of embarking on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, during the recent school holiday period. This journey was conducted under the spiritual guidance of the Most Rev Brian Mascord DD and was aptly named, ‘Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus’. Throughout the pilgrimage, our group explored numerous historically significant locations mentioned in our sacred Scriptures. This experience has developed in me a profound connection with our Catholic faith and the rich tapestry of our religious narrative. Following this life-changing experience, I have begun to share my observations and insights with our teachers to support students’ understanding of Scripture. 

Fortunately, our group's pilgrimage was drawing to an end just as the unfortunate events of recent weeks unfolded in this beautiful land. Nevertheless, these events have compelled me to reflect and feel an even deeper connection to the enduring relevance of the messages delivered by Jesus more than two thousand years ago.

I began sharing with the staff at Holy Family details of my visit to Lazurus’ Tomb in the town of Bethany, in the West Bank of Jerusalem. Here archaeologists have confirmed the site to be the home of many 1st Century tombs. This site was significant to my own faith journey, as it is Lazarus’ sister Martha whom I chose as my Confirmation Patron. 

The story of St. Martha in Luke 10:38-42, tells of a sister who is busy with preparing for Jesus’ visit, and who is frustrated by her sister, Mary neglecting the household chores to listen to Jesus. Jesus warns Martha that despite the virtue of her responsibilities, it is following Jesus’ example and listening to His message that is our greatest task. It was here at this site that our group of pilgrims were reminded of the love Jesus had for Mary, Martha and Lazarus. This love is described as ‘agape love’, which in Christian theology, is considered the highest form of love. It is often associated with the love of God for humanity and the love that people should strive to show toward one another. 

I like these messages and think how wonderful our world would be if despite our daily responsibilities we stopped and truly listened to the Word of God and loved others as He loves us. I have certainly felt this message being lived in the short time I have been in this wonderful Holy Family Community.