RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Dear Parents,

Welcome to 2024. This year I will be the Religious Education Leader at St Catherine’s. 

My role will involve:

• Supporting staff to plan and teach the Religious Education Curriculum
• Plan and lead Prayer Services throughout the year
• Liaise with the Parish Staff to organise school masses
• Liaise with Parish Staff to deliver the Sacramental Program (Reconciliation- Eucharist- Confirmation)

2024 Sacramental Program

Please note relevant dates in your calendars. 

More detailed information will be sent to relevant families for relevant Sacraments 

Term 1 RECONCILIATION- Year 3 students

Term 2 CONFIRMATION- Year 6 students

Term 3 EUCHARIST- Year 4 students

TERM 1 Reconciliation- 2024 Important Dates

Year 3 students will be eligible to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in 2024

Tuesday 20th February - 6.00pm Reconciliation Family Workshop- St Catherine’s Learning Hub (Families)

Sunday 25th February - 10.30am Parish Mass- Presentation of Candidates at St Catherine’s Mass (Families)

Wednesday 6th March - Reconciliation Reflection Day for students at school (All Year 3 students)

Saturday 23rd March - 10.30am Year 3 Group Celebrating Reconciliation- St Catherine’s Church (Families)

*An Operoo will be sent to families of eligible Reconciliation candidates this week. A hard copy note and enrolment form will also be sent home. Please return this to school by Friday, 16th February

TERM 2 Confirmation- 2024 Important Dates

Year 6 students will be eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2024

Wednesday 17th April - 6.00pm Confirmation Family Workshop- St Catherine’s Learning Hub (Families)

Sunday 5th May - 10.30am Parish Mass- Presentation of Candidates at St Catherine’s Mass (Families)

Wednesday 15th May - Confirmation Reflection Day for students at school (All Year 6 students)

Friday 24th May - Bishop Tony to visit Confirmation Candidates (St Peter’s- Time TBA)

Sunday 26th May - 3pm Mass- Celebration of Confirmation- St Peter’s Church - Bishop Tony Ireland (Families)

TERM 3 Eucharist- 2024 Important Dates

Year 4  students will be eligible to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist in 2024

Tuesday 16th July - 6.00pm Eucharist Family Workshop- St Catherine’s Learning Hub (Families)

Sunday 4th August - 10.30am Parish Mass-Presentation of Candidates at St Catherine’s Mass (Families)

Wednesday 7th August - Eucharist Reflection Day for students at school (All Year 4 students)

Sunday 18th August - 10.30am Parish Mass- Year 4 Group 1 Celebrating Eucharist- St Catherine’s Church

Sunday 25th August - 10.30am Parish Mass- Year 4 Group 2 Celebrating Eucharist- St Catherine’s Church

Term 1 2024 Parish Mass Attendance

 Parents are welcome to attend Parish Mass  (Whole School & Parish)

• 10.00am Wednesday 14th February -  Years 1-6- Ash Wednesday Mass 
• 10.00am Wednesday 28th February - Year 1/2AT & 5JH
• 10.00am Wednesday 6th March - Year 3/4JB & 3/4DK
• 10.00am Wednesday 13th March - Year 6MR & Foundation

Class Prayer Cloths will be blessed during class masses this term. Classes have worked together to design these beautiful prayer cloths. These will be used in class each morning as a focus during Christian Meditation at the start of each day. Photos of each prayer cloth will be in the Week 4 newsletter.

Please contact me by phone or email if you have any questions or require clarification.

Carmel Donlon- Religious Education Leader

Email: carmel.donlon@scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au

Pancake Tuesday- Tuesday 13th February 

Why do we celebrate Shrove Tuesday? The name Shrove comes from 'shrive', meaning absolution for sins by doing penance. The day gets its name from the tradition of Christians trying to be 'shriven' before Lent. ... Pancake Day itself came much later as a way of using up rich foods, like eggs, milk and sugar before the 40 days of fasting - Lent. 

The staff will cook pancakes for students on Tuesday, 13th February. 

These will be available in the courtyard as students arrive at school from 8.40am.

Ash Wednesday- 14th February

Lent begins with the marking of ashes, a sign to remind us to live the way Jesus wants. It is the beginning of our preparation for Easter when Jesus rises from the dead. Lent is a special time when we stop and think about how we can play our part in God’s hope for a world that is fair, just and peaceful. We think about our relationship with God, and how through serving others we can grow closer to him. We also think about the changes we can make in our lives, to be God’s love and mercy in our world, ensuring all people have a just future. 

 Lenten Prayer

God of Justice, 

We come to you today as members of one family.

Teach us how to be your loving presence to others.

Help us understand the challenges others face. 

Be with us as we try to change, to be people who take action for others.

 Help us seek a world where everyone has a just future. 

We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen