Palm Sunday indeed marks the beginning of Holy Week, a significant period in the liturgical calendar for Christians worldwide. It commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey while crowds waved palm branches and hailed him as the Messiah. This event is rich in symbolism, as it fulfills Old Testament prophecies and sets the stage for the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

In Mark's Gospel the tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities is palpable. Throughout his ministry, Jesus challenges the religious norms and confronts the religious leaders' hypocrisy, which ultimately leads to his arrest and crucifixion. 

During Holy Week, Christians engage in various forms of prayer, reflection, and worship to commemorate Jesus' passion and death. This includes attending special liturgies such as the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. These rituals offer believers the opportunity to enter into the mystery of Christ's suffering and sacrifice, deepening their understanding of the Paschal mystery and its significance for their faith.

Reflecting on Jesus' suffering and death during Holy Week invites believers to contemplate the profound love and mercy of God revealed in Christ's sacrifice. It challenges them to embrace their own crosses and follow Jesus in the path of self-emptying love and service. Ultimately, Holy Week culminates in the celebration of Easter, the pinnacle of the Christian faith, where believers rejoice in the victory of Christ over sin and death, affirming their belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the source of their salvation.

In the week ahead, we encourage families, as members of the parish of St Anthony’s, to participate in the liturgical and Eucharistic celebrations that mark this most important time in our church's life. 

Thursday 28 March - 7:00 pm  Mass of the Lord’s Supper Tahmoor Church

Friday 29 March - 10:00 am Stations of the Cross (outside weather permitting)   Tahmoor Church     

                                3:00 pm Veneration of the Cross Tahmoor Church

Saturday 30 March - 7:00 pm Holy Saturday Vigil Tahmoor Church

Sunday 31 March - 8:30 am Easter Sunday Mass Tahmoor Church

We also encourage families to join the school for our Stations Of the Cross Celebrations on Monday 25 March and the Holy Week liturgy on Thursday 28 March. Both these celebrations assist in providing our community with a deeper level of knowledge and a greater sense of reverence towards the life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was wonderful to be a part of our Working Bee and the positive impact it has had on our school community. Engaging parents and students in such initiatives not only enhances the physical environment of the school but also strengthens the bonds between home and school, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit.

The positive feedback we received from the school community is a testament to the success of our efforts in fostering this partnership between home and school. Building a strong sense of community is essential for creating a supportive learning environment where students can thrive, and it's clear that St Anthony’s is moving in the right direction.

Mr Justin Devlin

Principal