The Holy Family Prayer

(February – Month of The Holy Family)

JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you.

Amen.

Opening College Mass

On Friday 3 February our College celebrated the beginning of the school year with our Opening College Mass. The Mass was an opportunity to give thanks and praise to God for the many blessings He will bestow on us during the year. Fr Maurie Cooney, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart/Emmaus Parish St Albans celebrated the Mass. We heard from St Paul in the first reading with the encouragement of the need to be hopeful and persevere through the trials and tribulations that come our way especially because we have God in our hearts (Rom 5:1-5). In the Gospel, Jesus commanded his disciples to ‘Go out and proclaim the Good News to all of creation.’ Fr Maurie reminded us that we all have been given a share in this task – to be heralds of the good news. In his homily he gave us some practical ways in which we can do this:

“When you think prayerfully of others … you show the mind of Christ;

when you see the hurt of others … you show the eyes of Christ;

when you listen to others … you show the ears of Christ;

when you speak kindly to others … you possess the mouth of Christ;

when you help others to carry their burdens … you possess the hands of Christ;

when you show love to others … you show the heart of Christ;

when you reach out to others with compassion … you possess the hands of Christ;

when you persevere in being Jesus’ witness with love and justice for all people … you show the healing presence of Christ;

… and you are spreading the Good News that God is real and really part of our lives.”

May we witness to those around us the joy of the Gospel.

Year 7 Welcome Thanksgiving Mass

On Wednesday 1 February we welcomed our Year 7 students and their families into our community in the celebration of the Eucharist. Fr Richard Rosse Parish Priest of St Catherine of Siena, Caroline Springs celebrated the Holy Mass and blessed the students and their families for the upcoming year ahead. Appropriately, the Mass was of the memorial of St John Bosco – the patron saint of young people. He dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children and developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment. For Don Bosco “It was not enough that the boys be loved, they have to know that they are loved.” Fr Richard reminded us of our vocation to help nurture our students in the faith so that they may grow to know and love Jesus. It was wonderful to celebrate the Eucharist with so many of our families and their children as a new community of faith. We thank our Year 7 families for their commitment to supporting the faith life of our new students.

Friday 8am Mass

Dear Parents/Carers, families and students,

You are invited to attend 8am Mass every Friday of the term (beginning 10 February) at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church. This mass is open to all, and we strongly encourage our students and families to attend. Mass concludes at 8:25am, ensuring that there is more than ample time to get ready for Homeroom. It is important for our students to establish and nurture a relationship with the Lord and what better way to do this than in the Holy Mass. Students are able to volunteer to read at the mass and can sign up via SEQTA notices. We look forward to your presence.