14 March 2022

Principal’s Reflection

Actor Whoopi Goldberg, in a magazine interview for ‘Q and A’, was asked to name the living person she most admired. “Pope Francis”, she responded. “Yeah,” she added, “…he’s goin’ with the original program”. The Catholic Church I love, has made more than its fair share of mistakes and mis-steps. That said, we do lots of good things. Not least of all was the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope. I am a Pope Francis fan. He is not perfect but during his time in the top job, he has constantly reminded Catholics and all others of some pretty important central truths.

Most of us get this. The ‘original program’ is about living the gospel with joy and always being mindful of those most vulnerable. Francis reminds us that it’s not about taking the right stand on issues but about standing in the right place - with the lost, the lonely and the least. Anyone, regardless of religious persuasion or absence of religious persuasion, can be drawn to the ‘original program’. It’s not a liberal or conservative view; it is a holy, radical take, precisely because it takes seriously what Jesus took seriously: inclusion, nonviolence, unconditional compassion and acceptance. Happily, lots of people find themselves drawn like moths to the flame of authenticity. Organized religion often falls into the trap of overcomplicating a simple message. Francis implores all of his ‘shepherds’ to get out of their offices so that can ‘smell like sheep’. Jesus would have loved that section in the Book of Micah, an Old Testament prophet, where he reminded people that all God asked of them was to, ‘Act justly, love tenderly and to walk humbly with God’ (Micah 6:8). Matthew, in the New Testament, reminded us all that in the moment we each come face to face with God, the only thing we will be asked is, “how well did we treat the least of these sisters and brothers of mine?” Lent is a good time for us all to recommit to the ‘original program’.

Shalom Open Day is on this Wednesday from 9.15-11.30. This is a great opportunity for parents who might be considering Shalom as a school for their child to come along and have a good look at the facilities and what things look like at Shalom on a normal day. Please let anyone you know who might be interested in this about our Open Day. We start the day in the Theatre.

Bingo at the Services Club – I put in a plea a couple of weeks ago to try and get some volunteers to offer an hour or two a month to support this Bingo which contributes so much to Shalom. I was singularly unsuccessful. I am trying again! It is not an onerous task and all the ‘complicated’ Bingo stuff is done by others. If you are able to give back a little to Shalom we would be enormously appreciative.

Year 12 Induction Liturgy is on Tuesday morning. It has been a disrupted start to the year for your senior leaders but we are looking forward to more normal times for the remainder of the year.

‘Next Step’ Destination Survey is conducted each year by the State Government. School Leavers from 2021 will be contacted directly by the Government in an effort to work out what all young people are doing this year and the patterns of study and employment. I would encourage parents who had students in Year 12 in 2021 to bring this to the attention of their child and encourage them to respond to the survey.

Tuesday April 19 is on our Shalom Calendar as the first day of Term 2 but also noted as a ‘home study day’. This will be a normal day of school with face to face teaching.

Covid continues to take a toll with absences from both staff and students. With staff absences, we are needing to ensure that students come to school with laptops charged fully and headphones available for teachers to use ‘Teams’ from home. Please remember to highlight with your child/ren the need for good hand hygiene. Remember, stay home if unwell and get tested should there be any cold or flu like symptoms.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
McmahonD@shalomcollege.com

Newsletter Articles

Student Welfare and Information

Recycling @Shalom - Containers for Change

8 large bins and counting…..this is how many bins we had collected last week - that must be a record for us, as the students have only been in the school for 5 weeks.

I must compliment the Junior school (Years 7 – 10) who have filled most of those bins, however, everyone is contributing.

This year the money we raise in Semester 1 will be donated to the Shalom Edmund Rice Camp group, led by Mrs Mary Taylor Assistant Principal – Mission.

Plastic waste in landfill

Single use Plastic

A couple of weeks ago I raised this with the students and asked them if they could take home this message: Can we not use those snap lock plastic bags please. These seem to be the item that gets blown away and many of us are continually picking them up.

I would be very grateful if we could phase these out.

Punctuality and Attendance

Please have your children here on time for the beginning of the school day – too many are coming in late – might only be about 10 minutes late when they are dropped off, but they have to sign in at the office and if there is a line up (which most days there is) it can take about 5 minutes before they are logged in, they then have to go their House area to put their bag away, get their books for Period 1 and make their way to the classroom – this could take about 20 minutes some times. So 10 minutes late can end up being about 20 minutes late for their first lesson when the tuition has already started.

Please write a brief note of explanation for the lateness so they don’t get the late arrival listed as unexplained. I do appreciate those parents who jot down an explanation in their child’s Record Book.

Regular attendance at school is vital if students are going to attain success in their studies. If for some reason there is an issue re your child not coming to school, please contact their House Coordinator.

I do appreciate that at the moment many students, families have been house bound due to being a close contact as a member of the family has contracted COVID or they have COVID. Thank you for advising us of this.

Year 12 Induction Liturgy

We wish our Senior class 2022 all the best for their induction on Tuesday…..and for the first time we have our 10 Houses participating.

Open Day

Wednesday 16 March: thank you to the Year 10 students who have signed up to be tour guides on that morning.

Mrs Elizabeth Austin-Campbell
Deputy Principal
AcampbellE@shalomcollege.com

Curriculum

Thank you for your support of our assessment policy and procedures by providing evidence when your student is absent for a scheduled exam. The information can be found in the Student Record Book (page 13 onwards). Please note the required evidence is:

Year 7 & 8 – note written by parent in record book
Year 9 & 10 – completion of an Absent for Exam Form (and submitted with required documentation) to either the Middle School (Year 9) or Senior School (Year 10) Coordinator
Year 11 & 12 – completion of an AARA application (illness or misadventure). All AARA applications and required documentation must be submitted by parents to Mrs Allen (Senior School Coordinator)

Both the above mentioned forms are available in the Forms & Publications section of the College website.

Middle School

Year 7 and Year 9 students will sit the NAPLAN online tests from Tuesday 10 May to Friday 20 May. This week all Year 7 and Year 9 parents will receive a letter with important information and links to other available NAPLAN information.

Students will participate in two practice NAPLAN tests in Term 2, Week 1. If you have any concerns about NAPLAN or if you wish to withdraw your student from NAPLAN testing, please contact Megan Munckton, Middle School Coordinator, megan_munckton@shalomcollege.com.

Please note: all students MUST have headphones or earphones to undertake the NAPLAN Online testing. This is the responsibility of families to ensure that students have their earphones or headphones for all test days, including the practice test. These headphones/earphones must have a 3.5mm standard jack. Wireless headphones (e.g. Apple air pods) are not compatible. If you need to purchase headphones or earphones, we suggest you do this as soon as possible. The uniform shop has a small supply of earphones for $6.

Mrs Gail Norris
Assistant Principal – Curriculum
Gail_Norris@shalomcollege.com

Mission

Class Masses

Each Wednesday morning at 8 am we hold a short Mass in the Chapel. Now COVID restrictions have lifted all parents, students and staff are welcome to attend. We also roster a class or two on each week. The students from these classes are invited to attend and to participate in the Liturgy. We believe as a Catholic School that this is an important part of College life. Mass gives us time to stop and recall our reason for being.

I know life is busy and mornings can be hectic, but many parents like to attend when their child’s RE class is involved. Below is a roster of the classes for this term and the start of next term.

Important Dates

Please note - our Harmony Day Assembly has been postponed until Term 2

Mrs Mary Taylor
Assistant Principal – Mission
TaylorM@shalomcollege.com

ANZAC Day

ANZAC DAY 2022 - Shalom College Registration form - Monday 25 April

We are inviting interested Shalom Staff / Students / Parents and Friends to participate with Shalom College at the Bargara Service and/or Bundaberg Civic Service for ANZAC Day.

We will also acknowledge students who represent Shalom College at other Services in the district. (Agnes Water, Rosedale, Moore Park, Elliot Heads, Gin Gin, Childers, Woodgate, etc.) (Other Services/ Marches will be acknowledged if the student attends/ marches in Shalom Formal Day uniform.)

ANZAC Day is the solemn day of remembrance of those Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who have fought and died for their country, and is marked annually on the anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War.

ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is the anniversary of the landing of troops from Australia and New Zealand on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey, in World War I on April 25, 1915. Anzac Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It is the day on which we remember all Australians who served and died in war and on operational service, past and present.

Students, as you will be representing the College, it is important to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Formal uniform with polished shoes
• Formal hat (borrow or purchase new one, if yours is not in good condition)
• NO chewing gum
• Sleepers or studs ONLY
• Bottled water (It is often a very hot day.)
• Apply sunscreen before marching

There are 3 opportunities to march on ANZAC DAY

(Students may attend the following in Bundaberg/Bargara area or with another service/march representing Shalom College)

1. Bargara Dawn Service
2. Bundaberg Civic Service (roll call at 8:00 am)
3. OTHER SERVICES (Agnes Water, Rosedale, Moore Park, Elliot Heads, Gin Gin, Childers, Woodgate, etc.) - (Other Services/ Marches will be acknowledged if the student attends/ marches in Shalom Formal Day uniform.)

Staff, Parents and Friends, if you plan on marching with Shalom College, please meet at the designated time and place and please wear corporate attire, of a similar standard to students.

If you are marching at the Bargara Dawn Service, please meet at 5:00 am at Bargara Service Station and report to Mr Robinson for roll marking.

If you are marching in the Bundaberg Civic Service, please meet outside Indulge Cafe (outdoor tables) (near Target) at 8:00 am and report to Mr Robinson for roll marking.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, students will be dismissed from the memorial site. Please arrange to collect your student from there.

Your attendance is much appreciated.

Please complete the form below to register.

More details will be posted as they become available.

Mr Peter Robinson
Student Welfare
High Performance Program
After School Activities
Peter_Robinson@shalomcollege.com

2022 Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection

Student residential addresses are collected annually by the Australian Government and used to inform school funding calculations.

The Government has announced that the 2022 Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection opened on Wednesday, 16 February 2022 and will close on Wednesday, 16 March 2022.

Please find attached the 2022 Student Residential Address and Other Information collection notice distributed by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment. This data is routinely used to inform Commonwealth school education policy, and to help ensure that Commonwealth funding arrangements for non-government schools are based on need, and are fair and transparent.

Could you please ensure that your address and contact details are up-to-date through the Parent Details tab in Parent Lounge to ensure accurate collection of this data?

Date Claimers

Student Drivers

Parents and Carers of Year 11 & 12 Students

If your child has obtained their Provisional Licence and wishes to drive to and from school you are required to fill out a Permission to Drive Form and return it to Student Reception for approval by Mrs Elizabeth Austin-Campbell. Once approved the details will be placed on our School Register.

Thanks to those Parents who have already completed this form for their child.

Mrs Amanda O’Mara
Executive Assistant to the Principal/ Enrolment Officer
amanda_omara@shalomcollege.com

Absentees

FOR ALL ABSENTEES

Preferred option is Email absentees@shalomcollege.com and the Shalom App or Phone Absentee line 41558181

ALL student absentees should be notified to the office by 9am each day. If no notification has been received, an absentee text message will be sent out to parents to advise of the student’s absence.

Pathways

Defence Work Experience Program (DWEP)

The Defence Work Experience Program (DWEP) is a national Youth Program that provides young Australians with an interest in a Defence career, the opportunity to gain exposure to a range of job roles available within Defence and the Australian Public Service. Defence work experience activities are designed to be hands on and interactive so that young people can make informed career decisions.

A wide range of programs are now taking applications online with further opportunities to follow as the year progresses – see the list and apply here.

Applications may close before the advertised date if large volumes are received. Students are advised that places are limited and it is strongly encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

Police Recruiting Seminar

Are you interested in becoming a Police Officer? To find out if you are the right person for the job come along to the Queensland Police Recruiting Seminar and speak with experienced, current serving police officers to have all your questions answered.

When: Wednesday, 23 March - 6pm
Where: PCYC Bundaberg, 45 Burrum Street

Bookings are essential as numbers are limited. All attendees must register to attend. Find out more and register here.

High School Nursing Experience – Mater Education, Brisbane

Are you interested in a career in nursing? If you're eager to find out what a day in the life of a Nurse entails, Mater Education’s, High School Health Adventure Nursing experience is for you. This intensive one-day Introduction to a Career in Nursing is designed for students in Year 10, 11 and 12 who are interested in this career pathway. You will be taken inside the dynamic and rewarding field of nursing, where you can gain first-hand experience of the range of roles on offer.

This program has been designed to create a realistic experience of 'a day in the life' of a Nurse. The utilization of simulation with manikins, skills stations, digital technology and case-based scenarios help to create this real-world learning in a unique environment for high school students.

Students will have access to current practicing clinicians who will be able to share their experience as a health professional and provide an opportunity for the students to ask questions.

This program is delivered on-site at Mater Education’s world class medical simulation facility in South Brisbane. Find out more and enrol here.

UNIQ You

Shalom is excited to be participating in an exciting new service that gives girls the opportunity to be part of a revolutionary initiative that will demystify industries where women are under-represented in many sectors - tech, transport, electricity and gas, construction, mining, aviation, water and sewage, agriculture, manufacturing, military and defence.

UNIQ You believes that the best way to inspire girls to explore male dominated industries isn’t by quoting statistics or preaching diversity, but by giving them access to honest insights from women who were once just like them. Our partnership with UNIQ You will allow Year 9 to 12 girls, to have a 30 minute, one-on-one video call with female advisers from all around Australia.

Connecting girls to women in real world environments will create a space for frank and open conversations, helping them understand what a range of roles and careers look like. This will encourage girls to explore their options, challenge their own assumptions and discover a world rich with possibilities. .

To book an appointment for tailored career advice from women in the know, see Mrs O’Donnell in the Pathways Office.

Regional Medical Pathway Information Session

Discover more about CQU’s innovative Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) course at the Regional Medical Pathway Information Session. Designed for students graduating Year 12, this course provides a provisional entry pathway into The University of Queensland’s regionally based Doctor of Medicine.

Register now to secure your spot in this valuable information session.

Date: Thursday 24 March – 4.30pm to 6.30pm
Location: CQU Bundaberg, Building 1, Room G.04
RSVP: Monday, 21 March

The Pathways Team
Mrs Liza O’Donnell, Mrs Kathy Laing & Mrs Julia Fox
Liza_ODonnell@shalomcollege.com
LaingK@shalomcollege.com
Julia_Fox@shalomcollege.com

Quiet Achiever

Lilly Matthews and Ruby Heidrich

This weeks Quiet Achievers are Year 11 girls Lilly Matthews and Ruby Heidrich. Lilly and Ruby have stepped up to the plate this Term helping out in PC Class when we haven’t had a buddy for a few of the year 7s due to absence.

Lilly and Ruby have been keeping me up to date with comings and goings of the PC, and how the Year 7s have been travelling – and relaying my information back to them.

Ms Dana Bedward PC Teacher RI7.

Mr Scott Whitelaw
Rice House Coordinator
Scott_Whitelaw@shalomcollege.com

Performing Arts

Drama Performance – The 7 Stages of Grieving

Students studying Drama in Years 9-12 will be invited to attend an in-school touring performance of The 7 Stages of Grieving performed by Grin & Tonic Theatre Company. The performance will commence in the theatre at 8:45am sharp on Wednesday 23 March.

Students who do not usually have a timetabled Drama lesson during this period will be invited out of regular class time to view the performance. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity for students to enjoy professional live theatre, the performance also provides valuable curriculum links for all years involved. This is especially important for Year 11 students, who will be analysing the live performance for their next assessment task.

For any questions or queries, please contact Miss Hoiberg.

Miss Cassie Hoiberg
Performing Arts Learning Coordinator
Cassandra_Hoiberg@shalomcollege.com

Instrumental Music

“Why won’t my child practice?”

As instrumental music teachers, this is probably the question that we’re most asked! There are a few reasons that kids don’t practice - some obvious and others not so. Here’s 2 quick reasons why your child may not be practicing and some ways to turn it around.

They don’t have a working/decent instrument.

It can be a real “bummer” for students to use the school facilities and instruments, and then come home to their own sub-par instruments. Things like broken power chords, sticky keys, rusty strings, out of tune guitars etc. can dissuade even the keenest of beginners. You don’t have to spend much and buying second-hand is always a great option so maybe consider an upgrade or service the instrument for the next birthday?! The most important thing to remember is - if the ukulele/keyboard/bassoon etc. came from a toy store or Aldi, it’s best to think of it as decorative, rather than functional!

Their instrument is in their bedroom or they only practice in their room.

It gets lonely all by yourself. Plus, an instrument shoved under a bed or in the corner of a bedroom can often become ‘outta sight, outta mind’. I encourage you to ask your child to play for you even if it means they’re serenading you in the kitchen as you make dinner! Additionally, encourage them to keep their instruments out and set up! If they’re ready to go - there’s more chance it will be played. Consider putting guitars, pianos etc in common rooms so they can be played at whim. Call Grandma on Zoom and get them to play for her! Lastly, don’t forget to tell them how much you enjoy hearing them play - even if it’s terrible. They need to hear that encouragement and every wonky attempt, is one version closer to success.

Stay tuned for more musical musings in the future and don’t forget that the music department is always looking for new recruits in vocal, strings, woodwind, percussion, brass, piano and guitar! Email our Coordinator at Megan_Hoban@shalomcollege.com.

Mrs Christie McLucas
Instrumental – Piano and Theory Tutor
Christie_McLucas@shalomcollege.com

From the Library

The value of graphic novels in libraries

Loud, colourful, raucous, surely not serious literature at all, graphic novels, often considered the pop-art amidst the serious works in the gallery; the junk-food on the menu, are fast becoming one of the prized jewels of a teens’ collection in the library. These amped-up comics are responsible for energizing circulation stats and in the last decade have become one of the most read sections of a library.

Not just more fun, the graphic novel has proven to be an asset for EALD teachers to help teach English and for teachers of students who struggle when confronted by a ‘block of text’.

In some cases, core learning material has been produced as a graphic novel in a growing genre of non-fiction graphics to engage with students more. For example, the cumbersome and challenging Shakespeare can now be found in graphic format. Purists may be horrified, but it can’t be denied that it works.

In fact, when loans from any library are examined, the graphic novel is way up the list of most borrowed alongside dystopian and fantasy fiction, perennial favourites of this age group. Despite persistent resistance from some quarters, the literary, publishing, and library industries and professions have come to see this format as a valuable literacy tool, an innovative way to build community and engagement, and even as multi-literacy superheroes.

Look out for new graphic novels in both the junior and senior libraries at Shalom.

Ms Denise Harvey
School Librarian
Denise_Harvey@shalomcollege.com

Year 8 Camp Fun

Year 7 Camps Term 2

Year 10 Camps Term 2

Athletics Achievement

Congratulations to Year 7 Student Liliana Brillante who has been awarded the Queensland Little Athletics Laurie Baartz Memorial Trophy for the 2021/2022 season. Unfortunately Liliana was not able to be there in person for the announcement & presentation. The Laurie Baartz Memorial Trophy for the Most Improved Athlete is presented each year to one athlete across the State who records the highest number of personal best performances at Centre level across a 10 week period. This is an awesome achievement Liliana.

Mr Simon Gills
Sports Coordinator
GillsS@shalomcollege.com

Summer Sport

Table Tennis

Shalom 1 team – Lincoln Carter, Jessica Carter, Christina Lee and Zac Morrish – did very well against Kepnock, winning eight matches to one. All of those eight matches were won in two games – a strong performance.

The Shalom 3 team – Oscar Buckley, Bailey Worrad and Jake Wall – unfortunately had the opposite score, going down to BCC1 by eight matches to one.

Shalom 4 – Will Savage, Harry Laing, Eli Sewell and William Cole-Bloore – played North Bundaberg State High School in a repeat of last week’s outcome. Despite being a very close, hard-fought affair, they again narrowly went down five games to four.

Players from Shalom 2 team (who had the bye) – Hannah Lee and Isaac Maas – were utilized in making up numbers for two teams in the open division (North Bundaberg and Isis). Being experienced players, they acquitted themselves well and contributed positively to their respective teams.

Mr Troy Braund
Team Manager
Troy_Braund@shalomcollege.com

Uniform Shop New Extended Opening Hours

Leanne
Uniform Shop Co-ordinator
barkerl@shalomcollege.com
Phone : 41 558 121

Term Dates for 2022

Term 1: Monday 7 February - Friday 1 April (10 weeks)
Term 2:Tuesday 19 April - Friday 24 June (10 weeks)
Term 3: Monday 11 July - Friday 16 September (10 weeks)
Term 4: Tuesday 4 October - Friday 2 December (9 weeks)

Parent and Carer Tuckshop Volunteers

At the start of each school year we ask parents to indicate their availability for volunteering in the College tuckshop.

Life is busy and forever changing, so for this reason we have set up a booking system that will not only accommodate our very much appreciated regular volunteers, but also families who may not be able to commit on a regular basis and who may have a day here or there throughout the year to come along and lend a hand and support our students. The beauty of this system is that you can select your day and manage your booking, so if something comes up, you can quickly and easily go online to reschedule or cancel. Your booking will generate a confirmation email with links to manage your booking, it can be synched with your calendar and an SMS is sent the day before as a reminder. Of course, we are also here to help - simply contact Shalom College on 41 55 8111.

For those of you who are regular volunteers your shifts have already been added to the schedule for this year and you should have received an e-mail for each booked shift.

Shifts last from 2 to 3 hours (school drop off to around 11.30 am).

No experience required!

Tuckshop

Breakfast

Breakfast is now available in the tuckshop for purchase each morning 8:00am – 8:30am.

Items include

Bacon & Egg Muffins - $3.50
Ham & Cheese Croissant - $3.50
Porridge & Cereal - $3 (self-service option with milk and bowl & cutlery are supplied)
Fresh Fruit - $1 (seasonal fruits such as; Bananas, Apples, Mandarins etc.)

Plus, the already available items of Yoghurt Pots, Up n Go drinks & Flavoured Milk

Students who train before school need to consider utilising the breakfast menu to replenish energy lost during their training sessions, however must be dressed appropriately before entering the tuckshop and must not be late for class.

Shalom Sunday Markets

Shalom Markets will continue to operate (with restrictions) until further notice!

• Fresh food stalls fruit, vegetable & local food products
• BBQ and tuckshop are operating, social distancing practices are in place
• Social distancing to include gaps between stalls (all outdoors)

SHALOM MARKETS 6AM TO 12PM EVERY SUNDAY!

Markets Tuckshop Roster

New volunteers are DESPERATELY required for the Markets Tuckshop or BBQ, if you have any queries please contact Leanne via email – barkerl@shalomcollege.com

Markets BBQ Roster

Community Notice Board

Shalom College App

Shalom College Families Business and Trade Directory

Colour Run

Online Workshop

Youth Support

Headspace

Find Out More below

The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg

Office Hours: 9:00 - 1:00 Monday to Friday
Parish Office: Rossolini Place Level 1, 66 Woongarra St
Ph: 07 4151 6666 PO Box 79 Bundaberg QLD 4670
Email: sbundaberg@rok.catholic.net.au
AFTER HOURS: Anointing of the sick for medical emergencies
phone 4151 6666 and follow the prompt
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF MARY MOTHER OF CHURCH

Current Parish Bulletin

Letter from the Bishop

GOOD NEWS

CURRENT ROSTER (Term 1 2022)

LENT AND THE R.C.I.A.

Anne Sheehan
Liturgy & Sacramental Co-Ordinator

We have begun our Lenten journey. “The season of Lent has a twofold character: primarily by recalling or preparing for baptism and by penance, it disposes the faithful, who more diligently hear the word of God and devote themselves to prayer, to celebrate the paschal mystery.” (SC 109) It is the period set aside by the Church for us to consider our baptismal call, and in doing so, realise that we are all in need of reconciliation and penance. We can do this all year round, sure, but through the chosen readings and prayers of the season, through acts of charity, fasting and abstinence, we are guided back to our purpose as baptised Christians, which is to proclaim Christ risen.

But there are those among us who are not yet baptised, confirmed, or celebrated Eucharist. The Easter Vigil is the end of their long journey of preparation. For them Lent is a period of purification and enlightenment which includes the celebration of the Scrutinies and the reception of two major “gifts”: the Creed and the Our Father. It is an intense time of reflection on their part.

Last weekend our candidates for initiation, now called the Elect, participated in the Rite of Election and Enrolment of Names. On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent they will participate in the Scrutinies. The community who gathers with them and prays for them lead by example in the ways of Christian living.

“The scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good....These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all.” (RCIA 128)

You can hear the similarities between the Elect and those of us who are already baptised. The whole community at the same time as the Elect can be “uncovering and healing all that is weak” in our lives, strengthening our resolve as Christians and deepening our resolve to follow Christ and love God above all. Both groups of people are asked to use the Lenten season as a time of reflection on baptism and reconciliation. In one sense, Lent without the RCIA candidates for initiation loses its gloss.

Please keep these people in prayer: Emma Johnson and 3 of her children, Charlotte, Emily & Joshua; Nevaeh, Roman, Hudson and Arizona Faupula; and Rodney Behan and his 3 children Tanaya, Rodney and William.

And in the midst of all this we have the children who have finished their preparation for the sacrament of Reconciliation, some who celebrated the sacrament for the first time last Thursday night.

The Church’s carefully designed liturgical and sacramental life intentionally draws us into the mystery of God. This Lent let’s be open to the loving and merciful God.

"Good News Magazine 2021"

"The annual parish "Good News" magazine is now available in all churches for a Gold Coin Donation.

As you read our in-house publication of the Good News magazine this year, discover the ways in which our parish vision statement is being made clear.

Catholic Youth Groups

Triple P

The State Government is funding free access to Triple P, which is the world’s most evidence-based parenting program and has helped more than four million children and their parents around the world develop closer, more positive relationships.

Please click on this link, which will take you to the website where you can access information relevant to your situation.

This link will remain in our Newsletter with Triple P sending us regular updates and helpful tips.