Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

Last Thursday we had the opportunity to celebrate our St Anthony’s Feast Day with a beautiful Mass. In the absence of Fr Peter who is visiting his homeland of Vietnam, Fr Paul gave so generously of his time to celebrate the Mass. As a Catholic community, this is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children, the gift of attending Mass and celebrating  the blessed Eucharist. It is always so pleasing to hear visitors to our school community speak so impressively about the reverence and prayerfulness of the students. As I said to Fr Paul “you wouldn’t experience a more catholic gathering …” whilst the sound of Mass was occurring in the school hall, outside the smell of sausages provided us all with a level of anticipation.

The feast day activities on Thursday reminded us all of the joy of belonging to such an inclusive and supportive community. I would like to acknowledge the support of the parent community who set up and organised the cooking of the sausage sizzle for the students. This is a lovely tradition that the students look forward to.

This weekend we come together as a Parish community to pray for and celebrate with our students in Year Three and other children within the St Anthony’s Parish community, who are making their First Holy Communion. Mass times will be Saturday 22 June at the Vigil 5:00pm and Sunday 23 June at 9:30am. Everyone is most welcome.

The word communion means to be united with; Catholics believe that in Holy Communion we are united in a special way with Jesus Christ. During this week I invite you to take a moment to pray for our First Holy Communicants:

Lord Jesus,

Bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time. May it be an initial step into a life-long love of the Eucharist.

Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

Thank you for their innocence and goodness.

May their hands, extended in anticipation of your Body and Blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred sacrament.

Amen.

Take Care

Mr Justin Devlin

Principal