Assistant Principal - Mission
From Green to Purple: Entering the Season of Lent
As the lush greens of Ordinary Time begin to fade, we prepare to embark on a journey of reflection and renewal. This week, our school community transitions into the sacred season of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Lent is a period of 40 days, mirroring the time Jesus spent in the desert, where we are invited to draw closer to God through self-examination and acts of charity. This journey prepares us for the joy of Easter and the celebration of Christ's resurrection. During this time all Catholic schools focus on raising funds for Caritas’ Project Compassion. Pastoral Care groups may host PC lunches and other initiatives to support this cause.
Shrove Tuesday: A Sweet Start to a Season of Giving
Before we enter the solemnity of Lent, we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Tuesday. Traditionally, this day was a time to use up rich foods like eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting period of Lent began. This is why pancakes are so popular!
Join us in supporting our first Project Compassion fundraiser of the year by purchasing a stack of pancakes for just $2.50. All proceeds will go directly to Caritas Australia, helping empower vulnerable communities worldwide.
When: Tuesday 4th March
Where: Before school from 8:00 am in the Senior Cafe area.
Cost: $2.50 a stack of pancakes. 50c extra for a scoop of icecream
Project Compassion is a wonderful opportunity for our students to live out the Gospel values of compassion and justice. By enjoying a simple stack of pancakes, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
Ash Wednesday: A Call to Renewal
We invite all parents and caregivers to join our school community for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 9:05 am on Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is a day of prayer and fasting. During the liturgy, we receive ashes on our foreheads in the shape of a cross. These ashes are made from burnt palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday. Preceding this liturgy we will have Uncle Bill O’Brien, Birpai elder, offer a smoking ceremony with a Welcome to Country.
The ashes are a powerful symbol, reminding us of our mortality and the need for God's grace. They signify our repentance and our commitment to turning away from sin and towards God. It is a time to reflect on our lives and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. A traditional smoking ceremony is also about cleansing, so this will complement the Catholic symbols of Ash Wednesday and Lent in a beautiful way.
Let us embrace this season of Lent with open hearts, ready to grow in faith and to serve others. We look forward to journeying together as a school community.
A Big Thank You for Supporting Nkinzi by purchasing drinks
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our Drinks Fundraiser this past Thursday! Your generosity will make a significant impact on the life of Nkinzi Maria Fortunata, our sponsored child in Uganda.
As our senior student leaders shared, Nkinzi is a bright and happy 8-year-old (soon to be 9!) who lives in the Masaka Diocese. She's achieved a fantastic milestone, progressing to Year 3 at Linlord Junior School. However, her family faces significant financial challenges, making it difficult to afford essential needs, including school fees.
Thanks to your support, we've raised vital funds through the purchase of refreshing drinks to help cover Nkinzi's school fees for the upcoming year. This means she can continue her education, opening doors to a brighter future. We also kickstarted our Project Compassion campaign for the season of Lent. After costs, we raised $865. Thank you to our Student Leaders of Mission for their work in promoting and running this event.
Our partnership with Impact Uganda, through the Emmanuel Community in Brisbane, allows us to support Nkinzi directly. By contributing, you've not only helped one girl but also her family and the broader community. You've demonstrated the power of collective kindness and shown Nkinzi that our school cares, even from thousands of miles away.
We are incredibly proud of our school community's commitment to making a real difference. Thank you for your generosity and for helping Nkinzi Maria continue her journey of learning and growth. Your support truly matters!
Upcoming Retreats
Transitus - Year 7
This week, during Year 7 Catholic Studies class, we introduced Transitus. Transitus is a retreat for Year 7 students to grow in their discipleship of Jesus Christ, membership of His Church and to strengthen their transition into Catholic Secondary School. The word ‘transitus’ was chosen because it is the Latin word for passage, crossing, movement over, transition, transit.
We encourage you to have a discussion with your child about attending Transitus. If they wish to attend please ensure that your child completes the google form application which is available in their Catholic Studies Google Classroom.
Applications close on Friday 7th March, 2025 and shortly after, you shall receive all of the details of the retreat through the events module in your Compass App where you can give consent for your child to attend.
LEAD Retreat - Year 11 & 12
LEAD is a Student Leaders Conference that enhances Senior Ministry Teams of Year 11 and 12 students to be equipped for ministry in their schools by nurturing their own faith and developing them into supportive communities. Returning from LEAD, these students will be encouraged to meet regularly to support each other and facilitate Youth Ministry initiatives within their school communities and at regional events such as SHINE.
We encourage you to have a discussion with your child about attending LEAD. If they wish to attend, please ensure that your child speaks to Mr Hyland, Leader of School Evangelisation or Mr Bushe, Assistant Principal, Mission to have their name included for the Conference.
St Agnes' Church Gospel Reflections
Fr Paul Gooley is continuing to provide Gospel readings and reflections via email and online Monday to Saturday for those interested in connecting with their faith in this way.
Click to watch Fr Paul's Gospel Readings and Reflections.
St Agnes' Parish News Bulletin
The Parish news bulletin will now be published monthly.
The latest edition is available via this link Parish News Bulletin
Mr Matthew Bushe
Assistant Principal - Mission