Religious Education in Del Monte

First Reconciliation

On Thursday last week some of the Year 3 students celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation. Students were very reverent during the liturgy and families enjoyed having the opportunity to witness their children make their first Reconciliation.

Reconciliation is officially called the Sacrament of Penance. In the past, it was also called Confession. These titles are all aspects of the meaning of the Sacrament. The Sacrament of Penance is a celebration of God’s love and mercy. It celebrates the call to repentance after a process of conversion of heart. This includes confessing our sins and receiving the forgiveness of God through the ministry of the priest. Through this process, a person is reconciled with the Church and continues to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Congratulations to our Year 3 students who received their First Reconciliation this week.

Crazy Sock Day

Over the last few weeks, the Service Team has been working hard to promote the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Thank you for all the donations for our Crazy Sock Day. The students enjoyed wearing their crazy socks. We are thrilled to announce that the Del Monte students raised $2245 for Vinnies!

National Reconciliation Week

Our school community came together with respect to commemorate National Reconciliation Week through a special liturgy. The liturgy provided a touching opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of Australia’s shared history and the importance of acknowledging the injustices faced by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Through prayers, readings, and moments of reflection, we honoured the resilience and strength of the Stolen Generations and reaffirmed our commitment to reconciliation. Thank you to all those in our community who attended this meaningful experience, reinforcing the values of empathy, understanding, and unity within our school community.

Refugee Week

From Sunday 16 to Saturday 22 June 2024, we will celebrate Refugee Week with the theme of Finding Freedom: Family.

This theme invites us to explore the stories of refugees who, despite the challenges they encounter, discover a source of freedom within the embrace of their families.

Whether it’s the unwavering support of parents, the protective love between siblings, or the communal strength found in extended and chosen families, neighbours, support systems upon arrival in Australia or the financial and emotional backbones that make the journey to safety possible, these connections become a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty. (https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/theme/)

For more Stories of Freedom: Family click on the link https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/stories-of-freedom/

Let us pray

Lord, we thank you, for another term as the community of Santa Sabina.
We have been blessed with the first light of dawn when each new day begins.
You bless us when the long day is over, and we snuggle down in our bed. 
You bless us in our work and in our play each day.
Whatever has come our way you bless us in our smiles and in our tears. 
Your blessing surrounds us in our successes and in our disappointments.
May the holidays be for us a time of rest and recreation to help restore and re-create us in your image and likeness, as we enjoy, time and togetherness in our families.
We pray for your continued blessing. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He smile on you and be gracious to you; may He look your way and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)

Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P- 6 and Year 2 Teacher