Catholic Character 28 September 2017
Sacramental Programme for 2018
The next Sacramental programme for Year 4, 5 & 6 students will run from 11 February to 1 July 2018.
Enrolment Sunday - 11 February
Classes for Reconciliation - 5, 12, 19 March
Reconciliation - 23 March (SMI)
Classes for Confirmationn- 30 April, 7, 14 May
Confirmation - 20 May (Bishop Steve - Pentecost Sunday)
Classes for Eucharist - 28 May, 4, 11, 18 June
Eucharist - 23-24 June (SMI) or 1st July (Te Puna)
The Sacramental Programme will be based at the Parish. Classes will be on a Monday 4pm-5:30pm. (There will be no lessons taught at the School)
Thank you
We thank Father Mark, Father Danny and our Parish of St Thomas Aquinas for the gift of a stunning new stained glass window of St Joseph, patron saint of the Cluny Sisters for our cluny Chapel to mark the occasion of our 75th Jubilee. Father Mark blessed the window during Room 10’s class mass this week.
St Francis of Assisi
On Monday during our school liturgy the school focused on St Francis of Assisi.
St Francis was a wealthy young man of privilege, he served as a soldier and was a prisoner of war. He heard Gods call and went on to be one of the most venerated catholic saints. It is said he designed one of the first nativity sets and was the first man recorded to receive the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ.
Francis was a man of action. His simplicity of life extended to ideas and deeds. If there was a way, no matter how impossible it seemed, Francis would take it. So when Francis wanted approval for his brotherhood, he went straight to Rome to see Pope Innocent III. You can imagine what the Pope thought when this beggar approached him! As a matter of fact he threw Francis out. But when he had a dream that this tiny man in rags held up the tilting Lateran Basilica, he quickly called Francis back and gave him permission to preach. He died on October 4, 1226 at the age of 45. Francis is considered the founder of all Franciscan orders and the patron saint of ecologists and merchants.
To read the full story: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=50
October: Month of the Rosary
The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary.
How to pray the Rosary as a family:
Personalize it: Each family member should have their own Rosary. Children may play with it. Girls may wear it as a necklace. Boys will try to use it as a lasso. That’s fine. It helps them become familiar with a Rosary. Eventually they will learn and grow in reverence for their Rosary.
Create a habit: Set a time that is comfortable for your family and that works without adding stress. When it doesn’t happen, don’t give up entirely, just pick it up again the next day.
Create a space: Set the tone for prayer so young children understand this is different than other family activities. If possible, light a candle and play some soft, background, instrumental music.
Start small: Be patient. Don’t try to complete an entire Rosary the first time you gather together in prayer, particularly if you have young children. Start with a decade and build over time.
Keep it simple: The Rosary is a great way for young children to learn the Hail Mary, Our Father and Apostle’s Creed and to learn about the lives of Jesus and his Mother Mary.
Involve all family members: If children have a role, they will participate more fully and be more attentive. Let them lead a reflection or the prayers depending on their age.
Opportunity to teach: Use the Rosary as a starting point to teach children about other aspects of their faith. Children are curious and will ask questions. Pause in prayer as necessary to answer their questions. As they get older, you can hold their questions until prayer is complete.
Just start: There’s no time like the present and no place like home.
Pope Francis’ Monthly Intention for October
Workers and the Unemployed
That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.
Teresa Rush
DRS
