2023 Week 10 Term 2

Dear Parents

I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a relaxing and refreshing break. I also wish our teachers the best for the holidays. I ask that you keep safe and healthy especially as Influenza and COVID are remain within our community. Tomorrow, staff will undertake their Spirituality Day in which they thank God for the gifts that have been given to them this Term in regards to working with your children. We look forward to returning to our beautiful school refreshed, revitalised and ready to give again to our Mission, the children in our care.

 

Students Returning in Term 3

 

Students return to the St Joseph's school on Tuesday 18 July 2023. Winter uniform is to be worn by our students. Please also note that our School Photo Day is Tuesday 1 August 2023. It is important that students are prepared for this and have the correct school uniform.

Winter Appeal

We asked our families to give generously to the St Vincent De Paul's Winter Appeal through a gold coin donation today. All children came to school wearing their Winter Woolies and giving a heartfelt donation for this very worthy cause. We thank our parents for supporting this Mini Vinnies initiative. We raised in excess of $210.

Naidoc Week  2nd-9th July - School Holidays

NAIDOC Week is held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Next week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrating the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. The theme this year is ‘For our Elders’.

Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role, and hold a prominent place, in our community and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.

They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths that we can take today. They influence and inspire us to work for the equality and hope that they fought for.

Let us pay our respects to them this NAIDOC Week.

God of love and compassion,

you are the creator of this land and of all its people.

We pray that we work together to acknowledge,

appreciate and understand the wisdom and knowledge

of our Aboriginal Elders, past, present and to come.

May we continue to build strong relationships

with one another - relationships that show respect

and seek out justice and equality for all.

We ask this through Jesus, our model and guide.

All: Amen.

School Fees

School Fee statements will be issued via the Compass app and your email early in July.

It is imperative that parents who were under the Direct Debit payment plan continue to pay school fees via a regular weekly/fortnightly or monthly BPay.  Please ensure this is set up and active to avoid a residual debt at the end of the year.

Term 3 fees will be billed during Week 3 of the Term as per advice from the Catholic Schools Office. The Catholic School Office continues to monitor the collection of fees in conjunction with the school.

 

Peace be with You

 

Brendan Kiely

Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians

I am writing on behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council to express our heartfelt gratitude for the dedicated service, of your child, as an altar server at Our Lady of Lourdes Church during the year. Their commitment and active participation in our celebrations have greatly contributed to the spiritual enrichment of our parish community.

During the recent Parish Pastoral Council meeting, a decision was made regarding the requirements for altar servers. It was agreed that altar servers must have completed their First Holy Communion, as this Sacrament helps deepen the students' understanding of the profound mystery they serve. This decision ensures that our altar servers are able to fully appreciate the significance of their role in assisting the celebrant during Mass.

We understand that there may be students who desire to actively participate in the Mass but have not yet completed their First Holy Communion. To provide them with an opportunity to engage in our celebrations, we encourage these students to consider joining the choir or volunteering to read at a Mass when they become available. These jobs offer a meaningful way for children to contribute to the Mass and experience the joy of communal worship.

Once again, we express our sincere appreciation for your dedication as an altar server. Your commitment to serving our parish community has not gone unnoticed. Your willingness to embrace the responsibilities and reverence associated with this role is an inspiration to others.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to reach out to Fr Felix at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Office, 6585 1464.

May God continue to bless you abundantly for your service, and may you find fulfilment and joy in your continued involvement within our Parish community.

With heartfelt thanks and warm regards,
Nigel Toole
Assistant Principal Mission

To add your child to the Altar Serving Roster for Term 3 Click here

Sacrament of Confirmation

Reflection Evening 

On Tuesday, a number of families attended the Sacrament of Confirmation Reflection Evening in preparation. 

Confirmation

After learning about the Pentecost story, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Sacrament of Baptism, the candidates are well prepared to receive the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation commencing Friday 4 August 2023 at 5.30 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The celebration begins at 6.00 pm after the Bishop has spoken with the candidates. 

Confirmation Inscription Mass (22 July 2023)

If you are interested in your child being Baptised and/or making the sacrament of Confirmation, please fill in the following form. (Click Here) 

Catholic Schools Week

Theme: "Living the Mission"

Catholic Schools Week (CSW), 2023 will take place in Term 3,  Monday 24 - Friday 28 July 2023. This year's theme "Living the Mission" echoes the broader mission of Catholic schools within the Diocese of Lismore CWS provides opportunities for all students to experience life to the full in caring and compassionate school communities. It is particularly pertinent at this challenging time for our Diocese and the world.

Catholic Schools Week (Term 3 Week 2)
	MONDAY 24/7	TUESDAY 25/7	WEDNESDAY 26/7	THURSDAY 27/7	FRIDAY  28/7
MORNING				Stage 3 Retreat the Gift of the Holy Spirit
MIDDLE	Stage 2 - Retreat Jesus is with us.		Stage 1 Retreat Being nourished by God	Stage 3 Retreat the Gift of the Holy Spirit
					STAFF VS STUDENTS NETBALL
AFTERNOON	Stage 2 - Retreat Jesus is with us.	Kindy Retreat Family Connections: Relationships	"Whole School LITURGY 1:45 Cola - All Families are welcome. "Open Classrooms- from the end of the liturgy

Thank you to all parents that actively went through their cupboards to find any uniforms no longer needed and donate them to our seconds shop. 

This has enabled many families over the term to be able to purchase needed uniform pieces for their children.