Shrove Tuesday (1 March) is the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. This year the students will be offered pre-prepared pikelets in their classrooms. Please remember to complete the PAM permission form by tomorrow at the latest. Children must have PAM permission to participate. We look forward to celebrating Shrove Tuesday together. 

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (2 March), a day on which Catholics traditionally resist eating between meals (fasting) and avoid eating meat (abstaining). Many Catholics also attend Mass or have special prayer liturgies.

Lent is a forty-day period preparation for Easter. It reminds us of the forty-days that Jesus spent in the wilderness before he took up his ministry. During this time, he fasted and prayed. Lent is a time of self-denial and prayer for us as well. During this period, we are called to focus on becoming closer to Jesus by praying a little more, doing good deeds for others, going without something we like and giving generously to others in need. Ash Wednesday is a good time for us to think about what we can do to grow closer to Jesus over the next weeks.

DOSCEL Schools are required to follow DOSCEL permitted activities guide. Until further notice, schools are encouraged to undertake school liturgies on-line and limit attendance at liturgical celebrations. Therefore, attendance at next week’s Ash Wednesday Mass is currently limited and will be live streamed to classrooms via Google Meet. Ashes will be distributed to classes after the Rite of Blessing of Ashes.

Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Luke 6:39–45

Each tree is known by its yield.

The third and final section of Luke’s Sermon on the Plain begins: In next Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells three parables to teach about being his disciples, or followers. One parable is called A Tree Known by Its Fruit. Jesus is calling attention to the fact that if we focus our attention on other’s faults, we do not notice our own. He calls us to examine our conscience and act as he would have us act rather than focusing on what others are doing., 

Parent Education

How to help your child be a good friend - Good friends contribute to kids’ learning, confidence, and wellbeing. Helping kids understand what a good friend does is a proven way to encourage them to enjoy quality school friendships.  View the attached article:

Child Safety and Wellbeing

At Mary MacKillop Primary School, we believe that ensuring the safety of the students in our care is an integral part of who we are as a Catholic faith community. We adhere to Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order No. 870.  We embed a culture of child safety and the matter is taken very seriously.

“Children are the future of the human family: all of us are expected to promote their growth, health and tranquillity,” Pope Francis 2021

Resources to support parents and carers

Creating a family tech agreement - Creating a Family Technology Agreement can help  you and  your  children decide  together  when and how  digital  technology  will  be used at home.  As a  family, brainstorm easy-to-follow  rules and display  them  where everyone  will  see  them.  Your  agreement could cover  things like:  time limits, apps  your  children are allowed  to use and online behaviour. Attached is a downloadable resource to help parents start the chat about online safety issues and strategies with your child/ren:

Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Information Mary MacKillop Primary School is one of the three Parish Primary Schools belonging to the Parish of Our Lady Help of Christians, Narre Warren within the Diocese of Sale. Fr Brendan Hogan is our Parish Priest and Fr Ajin Albarnas is our Assistant Priest. We are grateful for their ongoing prayers, involvement and support of the students, families and staff of Mary MacKillop School. 

PARISH BULLETIN Click on the link to download the weekly newsletter: Parish-Bulletin