World Environment Day

On Tuesday, 4 June St Michael’s is celebrated World Environment Day. World Environment Day is the UN’s most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries. WE CAN’T STOP BREATHING. BUT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE QUALITY OF OUR AIR is the theme for World Environment Day.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

Winter can be a particularly difficult time for the 3.6 million Australians facing food insecurity at some point each year. Whilst many of us are snuggling up indoors The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that over 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness. Of these, 60% are under 35, 44% are women and 13% are under 12 years old.

We are asking everyone to bring in item to give to those who are sleeping rough this winter. Many people in our local area are living on the streets, in tents or in temporary dwellings. We thought we would do a fundraiser to raise awareness and help these people to have some basic necessities over the cold winter months. The items that we have allocated to each grade have been selected by St Vincent de Paul Thirroul and Coniston branches as things they need this winter.

There will be a basket in every grade and these items can be brought in from Week 5 (Tuesday, 28 May) to Week 8 (Tuesday, 18 June).

Kindergarten: Blankets

Year 2: Body Wash / Soap (toiletry item)

Year 3: Shampoo (toiletry item)

Year 4: Toothpaste and/or toothbrush (toiletry item)

Year 5: Small packets of tissues (toiletry item)

Year 6: jumpers / long sleeve shirts or blankets

Your help and generosity will make a real and remarkable difference to the lives of homeless people in our area.

Confirmation Dates for your Diary

Parents/Guardians need to attend the Classes 1 and 2: Tuesdays, 11 and 18 June, 3:45pm to 5pm (parents MUST attend)

Confirmation Practice: Tuesday, 25 June, 7:00pm (parents MUST attend) Sacrament of Confirmation: 7:30pm on Wednesday, 26 June or 7:30pm on Thursday, 27 June 2019.

If there are any enquiries please contact the Parish office - all information is on the Parish website: http://www.thirroulcatholic.org.au/

The Sacraments of First Penance and Communion

The Sacraments of First Penance and Communion are celebrated when a child is in Year 2 or seven years old (or older).

Prior to receiving First Communion, children are to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance [Reconciliation].

Enrolments close on Tuesday, 10 September 2019

Enrolment Forms for 2019 may be downloaded at the parish website: http://www.thirroulcatholic.org.au/ and they must be handed in directly to the Parish office.

In order to prepare for these Sacraments, there is a preparation program consisting of the following:

Parent Meeting: Tuesday, 15 October at 7:30pm

Penance Classes 1 and 2: Tuesdays, 22 and 29 October, 3:45pm to 5pm

Sacrament of Penance: Wednesday, 30 October at 7:00pm

Eucharist Classes 3 and 4: Tuesdays, 12 and 19 November, 3:45pm to 5pm

First Communion: at either of the weekend Masses on 30 November or 1 December or  7/8 December or any weekend from then on.

Staff Spiritual Formation

Our SRI goal this year in Religious Education and Spiritual formation is, “all staff will engage in faith formation that is collaborative, planned and ongoing so that their living faith inspires others to discipleship and mission”. This combined with staff contributions from our SRI and our cyclic review recommendations has informed a 3 year strategic plan (2019-2021), with the intention of working on our school vision and mission in an authentic and purposeful journey.

In 2019 we will focus on the Capacity of Purpose, both personally and collectively as the community of St Michael’s Thirroul. Purpose is about discerning who we are and what we are called to be. In order to unpack this Tim Hart from the Catholic Education Office will be coming out to run four sessions  over the course of Term 2 and 3 in the lead up to the Staff Spirituality Retreat. Tim will be unpacking the following:

Session 1: Spiritual Formation - The Framework & The Story We’ve Travelled

Session 2: People of Purpose

Session 3: My Story  

Session 4: Our Story at St Michael’s

In 2020 we are looking to prepare for revision of our Vision & Mission (capacity of Principle), which will be supported by all the formation we have done on our purpose in 2019 (who we are - as a collective and individual). In 2021 we will focus on editing, writing, publishing and ritualising a shared Vision & Mission (Capacity of Ritual).

St Michael's students entering in Take Wollongong to the World Logo Competition

Well done to the little Picassos and Frida Kahlos from Year 5 and Year 6W at St Michael’s.  They've jumped aboard the Illawarra Mercury and Destination Wollongong international cycling event logo design competition and are pedalling strongly towards the finish line!

Have a look at some of the creative entries, including a video of Year 5 and 6 students explaining the meaning of their designs on the Illawarra Mercury website: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6196596/st-michaels-are-along-for-ride-in-logo-competition/

Miss Emma Groves - Religion Educaion Co ordinator