Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson
On Sunday we celebrated Laetare Sunday, the 4th Sunday in Lent. Typically the Priest wears pink vestments and marks a week of joy and hope in the season of Lent. Laetare means “To rejoice”, therefore we take this time to remember the hope in the Resurrection that we are all moving towards. St John Paul II said, “We are Easter people and Alleluia is our song”. This echoes the writings of St John of the Cross (1542-1591) and St Augustine (354-430), who both explored that while in Lent, we are people of joy, always looking forward to the resurrection and hope of the promises of Christ.
We can also stop to remember our Lenten promises. Do you know what you are giving up or doing? Have you shared this with your family? This is always a great conversation to have with your loved ones sharing this Lenten journey with you.
In the school holidays our Parishes will be celebrating the Easter Festivities, beginning with Holy Thursday, moving through Good Friday and culminating in Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. This is the most ideal time to go to mass, connect with the mystery and share in our traditions with our families.
Below are the dates for the Easter Celebrations for St Aloysius Parish Cronulla:
Good Friday Stations of the Cross
The 10am Stations of the Cross at St Aloysius on Friday 18 April has been organised and will be performed by OLM students. It is humbling to be part of such a wonderful community with students who are so committed to their faith.
We graciously invite all parents, students, Parishioners, friends of the College and all other guests to join us at this liturgy. I hope that this will help you and your loved ones connect more deeply in the commemoration of Jesus’ death and the Celebration of his victory over the grave in the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Senior Advocacy Day – Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta
Ten of our Year 10 students attended the Senior Advocacy Action Forum at OLMC Parramatta on the 26 March. This day was a day of activity, collaboration with other Mercy schools and discussion about initiatives we can bring into our school to connect with our Mercy values, as well as ideas and initiatives that extend outside the College. Our students contributed and worked well with others, making friends and coming up with initiatives to continue to build on our College’s approach to building Mercy Values within the College. These girls are hoping to build on community and engage with stewardship in the College to create a lasting legacy where all students value our College and the ideals we stand for, the same way as Venerable Catherine McAuley, who was an innovator in her own right. The most inspirational quote of the day for our Mercy girls was, “Let us take one day only in hands at a time. Resolve to do good today and better tomorrow.”
Project Compassion
A reminder, as we approach the end of the term and Lenten season, to encourage your daughters to give generously to Project Compassion. Project Compassion works to alleviate suffering brought on by the uneven distribution of resources in our World. With the contributions, our students can make a difference. On Tuesday 1st April, the College ran a coin line to try to encourage more students to give to Project Compassion. The girls were very enthusiastic and contributed generously. The event stirred quite a community atmosphere from cheering to dancing. We thank all families for their loving contributions.
As of Wednesday, the College began their Easter Raffle. All proceeds will go to Project Compassion. Buy your raffle ticket to be in the running for the Easter Basket.
This will be drawn on the last day of school after the Holy Week Liturgy.
Celebrating 10 th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ ‘Laudato Si’ Encyclical
‘Care for our Common Home’
Date for Your Diary
Tuesday 20 th May
6:00PM
Meet, A Ward Shire Independent Councillor, Kal Glanznig right here in our parish meeting room. Kal was recently elected and the youngest Councillor on the Sutherland Shire Council. He has accepted our invitation for a‘ Face to Face SESSION’. View his presentation and ask questions on his plans for our Shire and beyond.
“In a world facing a changing climate and a degrading ocean, particularly impacting young people, 23-year-old Australian changemaker and Take 3 For the Sea Ambassador Kal Glanznig embarks on a global journey to uncover the untold stories of hope and solutions to the climate and ocean plastic crisis.” With a strong optimistic outlook, Kal inspires and empowers us to rise up, conquer our internal doubts and take action. Meet him right here in our Parish Meeting Room.
Sponsored by St Aloysius Social Justice and Earth care Groups
Ian Anderson – Religious Education Coordinator