Dear Parents, 

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, an important day within the Catholic year. All classes will attend a prayer service and receive the ashes on their foreheads throughout the day and the Prep classes will receive the ashes on Thursday.

Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, which is a time when we prepare ourselves for the death of Jesus on Good Friday. Throughout Lent, the children will be working on how to change their hearts in order to follow Jesus. The way they can change during this time is through doing things for others-e.g. being a better friend, helping others without being asked, etc.

Each child will also receive a Project Compassion box in order to put aside some money to donate towards families in countries not as fortunate as Australia. This will be a focus within classes each week in the leadup to Good Friday.  I would ask you to encourage your child/ren in this endeavour. The Project Compassion boxes need to be returned to school during the last week of term, so all money can be forwarded onto Caritas Australia. 

This is a tradition at all Catholic schools, and the families at /st Patrick's have always been most generous. I pray that this continues for such a worthy cause.

Also, our Sacramental Programs will be celebrated this year, as follows:

First Holy Communion - November - date still to be confirmed   (For Grade 4 classes, and any students in Grade 5 or 6 who missed out earlier)

Reconciliation - November and December  dates still to be confirmed    (For Grade 3 classes and any students in Grade 5 or 6 who missed out earlier)

Thank you,

Confirmation - December - still to be confirmed.