Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

WEEKLY FOCUS - Finding peace in the pain.

From the Principal - Being a daily Peace Maker

Dear families

I was very proud of our students and the respect they showed in last week’s ANZAC Ceremonies – both at school and with the Gladstone Community. I was also very touched by the families who joined us.

In a world so desperately in need of peace, it is encouraging to see the commitment to honouring those who gave so much to give us this precious gift in Australia.

“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”
- John F Kennedy

During my trip to Israel we had the privilege of visiting the War Cemetery in Beersheba which was the scene of the famous charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade.

I was particluarly touched by the gratitude of the local people that was still evident today. We were stopped by a number of people who wanted to speak to us and cheered because we were Australian. I also saw Australian flags flown from local people’s apartments.

It’s not till you have been in a country still not at peace that you really appreciate what a great gift we have here in Australia. Those locals have never forgotten the courage and generosity of those Australian soldiers and I pray we too will never forget.

I always think it is appropriate that ANZAC Day occurs during the Easter Season where we celebrate the supreme sacrifice of Jesus that gifted us with hope and life. The words we constantly hear Jesus speak both before and after His resurrection urge us to peace but that is something that our world still struggles to achieve. Some of my most precious experiences on my trip centred around people who are working for peace. I was reminded that it is an active process that we continually have to work at.

In Jerusalem I met two men on either side of the battle who had both lost children in the fight. They shared their pain and taught us that peace comes from connecting with others and being open to hearing their story. I encourage you to watch this week’s video message which features one of these amazing men.

It is a message we struggle with in our own daily lives and one which we try to upskill our students with.

How will you be a peacemaker this week?

Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.

Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au

From Our APRE

As we approach the Feast of St Joseph the Worker I offer a reflection by Sr Kym. The work we do at Star of the Sea is varied, but usually rewarding. With the students at the heart of everything we do – we continue to bring the goodness of God to them each and every day.

St Joseph the Worker - Feast Day - 1st of May

Work gets a bad press. All around us people make out as though working is a bad thing. If only they could win the lottery, they could get away from it all. If only they could retire early...... but would they be happy?

Jesus began his ministry at about 30 years of age. What was he doing before that? Working with his foster-father St Joseph in the family carpentry business. Most likely he started helping out as a little nipper, so before he began his preaching, he had probably worked for about 25 years. 25 years as a tradie, 3 years preaching. There is an important message here. In the creation stories, we are told how God delighted in making the heavens and the earth and found it all ‘very good.’

There is something inherently good about work. Not drudgery that demeans us. But good, even hard work that we can stand back from and say “It is good.” When we have completed something – be it a shift at the mines, the making of a meal, the teaching of a class, the washing of a dirty child, we need to stop for a moment and admire our work. With God, we should say ‘it is good.” Work should not be valued just by the wage it brings in but, more importantly, by the dignity it gives to us. As we work, we share in God’s creative power.

Creative God, you have called us to share in your work of creation. Send us your Spirit that we may work like Jesus, delighting in the work of our hands and minds. We ask this in his name, confident that you may hear us. Sr Kym Harris osb.

Have a great week at work.

God Bless

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

What are Sacraments?

This week enrolments open for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion. It might spark the question – what is a Sacrament and when can we be involved?

One Sacrament and Seven Sacraments

The central and original sacrament is Jesus. He is the revelation of God par excellence. Through Jesus we have other sacraments. The Church defines seven key sacraments, grouped into 3 categories.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist

Sacraments of Healing

4. Reconciliation

5. Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments in the Service of the Community

6. Marriage

7. Holy Orders

Symbols and Rituals

Life is full of rituals and symbols. These can be powerful and engage our imagination. Some rituals and symbols are particular and speak to us as individuals or particular groups; others are universal and transcend culture and time.

As in life, we use symbols and rituals in the celebration of sacraments. Rituals and symbols give us concrete ways of experiencing the mystery of a loving God.

(Information taken from Echoing the Word Vol. 15 No. 4, 2016)

Sacraments are received throughout ones life, depending on when the person is ready for them. As a rule of thumb, Baptism is the first Sacrament, followed by Reconciliation (generally around Year 3 age). After Reconciliation comes Confirmation and Eucharist or First Holy Communion (both received generally around Year 4 age). The last 3 Sacraments – Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and Holy Orders are received when the need arises.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Enrolments are now open for the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Catholic children who have already celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation are invited to begin the journey for the Sacraments. Enrolments are due by Friday 3rd May. If you would like an enrolment form please contact the Parish or School office.

Parish Faith Coordinator

Hayley Lanzon

adfaithsos@rok.catholic.net.au

Phone: (07) 4972 1025

In Our Prayers

Let us pray...

• We pray that we carry the peace and joy and hope of the Easter Season in our hearts to all we meet.
• We pray for all who seek to ease the suffering of others, especially charities such as Caritas: May we do all we can to support their generous work.
• We pray for all who live with war, sickness and suffering, that we will all be moved by the Holy Spirit to look for opportunities to bring justice, compassion and peace.
• We pray that, through the Holy Trinity, those who have died will find their home with the Lord.

From the APC

Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are.

The theme for 2024 is the CATCH THE READING BUG Book Fair.

It’s a fun reading event that brings the books kids want to read into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.

During school, children will visit the Library and look through the array of books on display for purchase. They will write out a wish list and take their forms home to discuss with parents if buying them is an option. All books will be purchased online or in the Library using an Eftpos machine. There will be no cash sales anymore.

If you would like to attend the fair with your children, the Library will be open during the week.

Book Fair dates: Monday 20^th May – Friday 24^th May

Morning hours: Tuesday – Friday 8:15am – 8:35am

Afternoon hours: Tuesday – Thursday 2:55pm - 3:20pm

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair and thank you in advance for supporting this fair.

Please note – this is not the annual dress up event. That will take place in Book Week during term 3.

Have a great week everyone!

Anthony King

Anthony King: Assistant to the Principal Curriculum

Anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Mother's Day Stall - Thursday 9th May

Our Mother's Day Stall is kindly organised by our Parents and Friends Committee and gives every student the chance to go shopping at school on Thursday 9th May to buy a Mother's Day present for someone special.

Each child will need to bring their money in a purse or sealable bag /envelope marked with their name. Prices range from $1 to $10 per gift. Raffle tickets are 50cents each with a $5 limit per student. All students receive a free raffle ticket with their purchase.

Please send a bag for your child to put their purchases into afterwards.

We are also in need of parent helpers who can donate all or some of their day (anytime between 9am and 2.30pm) to help the children with their shopping. Please contact the school office if you are able to assist. Thank you.

Sport Events Date Claimers

Junior Jumps - Friday 24th May. Field Events Day for Prep - 8 Year olds and the Prep Sprint race.
Senior Jumps - Tuesday 28th May. Field Events Day for 9 - 12 Year olds.
Athletics Carnival - Friday 31st May, to be held at Chanel College. All running events for students in Year 1 to Year 6. Prep students do not attend this Carnival. Please note the school Tuckshop will be closed on Friday 31st May.

More information will be forwarded to families in coming days.

2024 ANZAC Day - Lest We Forget

Thank you to all who helped us mark this important day with the honour and respect it deserves. Special thanks to Poppy, our talented Chanel College trumpet player, for playing the Last Post so beautifully and to the Smyth family for their donation of a very special ANZAC Banner which was a centrepiece of our ceremony.

We are now a SWAP IT school! Here is this week's SWAP IT messages to help you 'swap' for healthier lunchboxes! Find tips on the SWAP IT website: www.swapit.net.au/tips