A great big welcome back to our students! It has been really lovely seeing the students come back to school and be so happy to see everyone. We had planned a big welcome back for students on Monday, but it rained. Yesterday was the first day without rain, so we were able to enact our plan, so I hope your children went home and told you, “It was the best day ever” like we heard many times. Thank you for all of the hard work you did with your children during remote learning. It is really nice though to be able see the children in person. We truly appreciate your support and are grateful for the appreciation you have shown us.

Last Sunday was the feast of the Ascension. The Ascension of our Lord took place a long time ago, but his parting words are still vibrant to us and must be carried out courageously to be his witnesses in the world of today, like the first Apostles. Hence the feast of the Ascension is not to commemorate a departure, but the celebration of the living and lasting presence of Jesus in the church. Jesus told the disciples to “make disciples” of people everywhere. He introduced them to his mission as he passed on his own authority to his disciples. Pentecost was to be the confirmation of this. They were asked to do what he himself did. Jesus also promises us that, like him, we all will be raised and ascend to the Father.

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost marks the Holy Spirit breathing life into the hearts and minds of the Apostles, fifty days after the resurrection.  It is often referred to as the birthday of the Church.  

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended with power upon the Apostles in the image of tongues of fire and thus began the mission of the Church in the world. Once the disciples received the Spirit, they went out boldly and preached to all in Jerusalem and elsewhere. Jesus himself prepared them for this mission, appearing to them on many occasions after his Resurrection. Prior to his Ascension into Heaven, he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father; that is, he asked them to stay together to prepare themselves to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The disciples followed the command of Jesus. They, as a community, gathered together in prayer along with Mary, awaiting the promised event. 

It is here they all received the Holy Spirit. This feast of Pentecost is the culmination of the Paschal mystery, which tells us of the sending of the Spirit of the Father and the Son on the disciples.

“Come Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth.”

Masses

From this week, Father is able to say some Masses. Currently attendance is limited to 10 people by appointment only, hopefully this will soon change as all Masses for this week are booked out. All Masses will be held in St Thomas Aquinas Church.  Mass times for this week are 9 am 10.30 am, 12 noon, 1.30 pm and 3 pm.

National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day is an Australian-wide observance held on May 26th each year. This day gives people the chance to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.

National Sorry Day came about as a product of the “Bringing Them Home” report in 1997 as a means to honour Australia’s First Peoples and to remember the Stolen Generation. 

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week occurs from 27th May – 3rd June. This year’s theme, In This Together is now resonating in ways that could not have been foreseen when it was announced last year, but it reminds us, whether in a crisis or in reconciliation, we are all #InThisTogether.

Dropoff/ Pickup zone

With more people dropping off and picking up students it is really important that parents follow the road rules around the school for the safety of all of our students. Please be particularly mindful of the time limit in the drop off zone and that you are not permitted to leave your car. Students who leave the side gate at 2:50 pm must be collected by parents, they are not permitted to walk down the street to where parents are parked as it is too busy.

Have a lovely week.

Kayleen Petzer