We are now in the season of Lent, a 40 day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We began preparations for the season last week with Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day), a firm favourite with the St Mary’s students. The following day the students in Years 1-6 attended a beautiful Ash Wednesday Mass held at Sacred Heart. 

CARITAS Australia - Project Compassion
Each year Project Compassion brings together thousands of Australians in schools, parishes and the community to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable communities. Please support this wonderful cause which runs until Easter Sunday, by sending coins in with your child for their class mission box. Thank you!

Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, was celebrated with great enthusiasm at St Mary’s this week! Students and staff enjoyed flipping pancakes and indulging in this fun tradition. Shrove Tuesday marks the day before Lent begins, and it’s a time for feasting before the season of fasting. It was traditionally a day to use up rich foods like eggs, milk and sugar, which would be set aside during the 40 days of fasting. The custom of eating pancakes became a popular way to use up these ingredients. We embraced the spirit of community and joy, welcoming Fr George into classrooms to assist with the cooking as we all enjoyed some delicious pancakes with a variety of toppings. A big thank you to all the staff who coordinated the fun and flipped pancakes with a smile!

Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday this week, our school community came together to celebrate a whole school mass to mark Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. It was a special time for reflection. During the Mass, Father George gave each student a blessing and marked our foreheads with ashes, reminding us of the importance of humility, prayer, and repentance. It was a beautiful way to start this season of reflection and growth. Thank you to our altar servers, Year 6 readers, our wonderful choir and guitarists and the Year 3 Reconciliation students for doing the offertory. We look forward to continuing our Lenten journey together, learning about kindness, generosity, and prayer.

Year 6 Leadership retreat ‘Journey with Jesus’
Today, Year 6 attended our ‘Journey with Jesus’ Faith Formation Retreat at Carroll College, Broulee. The Journey with Jesus retreat is a faith-filled experience for our Year 6 students. The day is led by students from the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry team and Carroll College Faith Ministry students. IUsing the symbolism of a backpack; students learn that on a journey they need to bring many items with them to explore different obstacles and enjoy different opportunities. 

Combined Schools Mass
On Tuesday 1st April, we will come together as a K-12 Pathway community to celebrate our Combined Schools Mass for 2025. We warmly invite all families, friends and parishioners to join us to celebrate this special mass which will be held at Carroll College, Broulee beginning at 10:00am. 

Mrs Jessica Afflick
Religious Education Coordinator