A Reflection on Mary in this Month of May

May is marked with “alleluias” as we celebrate the Resurrection and live into the Easter joy we proclaim. May is also marked by the church in its dedication of the month to Mary. We reflect on the remarkable role Mary plays in salvation history. Her “yes” to God’s invitation forever changed the course of history. Today, Mary offers us three essential pathways for living our faith.

Mary shows us how to listen. Mary was a young girl living in a culture where she could have been stoned to death for having a child out-of-wedlock. She knew the cultural and societal consequences of her “yes.” She knew what could happen if Joseph didn’t understand. She had reason to fear her parents’ reactions. When the angel appeared to Mary, we read in scripture how she was deeply troubled. Somewhere deep within she found the courage, inner strength, and grace to respond with full assent, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Mary show us what it means to listen with full intensity to what God is asking, God’s invitations may very well demand everything of us. Deep pondering, heart-centred attentiveness, and courageous listening are required of us, too.

Mary shows us how God’s word must be shared with others. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, they did not simply exchange a simple greeting, but one of deep faith. God’s word is meant to be shared. It cannot be contained within us if we are to be filled with the life it offers. We must share it with others. We are invited to ponder the word of God so that we might share it joyfully with others.

Mary shows us how to live in God’s word. Mary lived moments of profound joy as well as profound sorrow. From losing Jesus in the Temple to the journey to Calvary, Mary lived these sorrows and anguished deeply. Mary formed and raised Jesus from the simplicity of her daily life. She was a person in conversation with God, with the Word of God, and also with the events through which God spoke to her. From the Annunciation to Pentecost, Mary appears as someone whose freedom is completely open to God’s will and shows us how to live in God’s word.

In this month of May, may we turn to Mary in our times of joy and sorrow and ask her to continue to show us the way to her Son. As we strive to grow in faith and live more fully in God’s word, may we, like Mary, bring Christ to others.

by Sr. Katherine Feely, SND

For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19

Emerging Minds

Supporting Children During the Coronavirus Pandemic. The following is a link which some parents may find useful in supporting your children at this time.

https://emergingminds.com.au/

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/child360-app/

Canteen

Yesterday I received notice that Made Fresh, the operators of the canteen, that they are unable to continue operating at St Therese. Due to the current economic situation brought about by Covid-19, they are cutting their business right back in the hope of salvaging something that they will be able keep operating and build on in the future. This withdrawal affects 5 Catholic Schools in the Illawarra. The Catholic Education Office have made initial enquiries to another experienced operator to see if they are in a position to take on new schools.

Kinder 2021 Enrolments

We are currently accepting enrolments for Kindergarten 2021. Interviews will be scheduled over the next few weeks.

Changes to Attendance from Week 3

Next Monday, we commence what will hopefully be the pathway to all students returning to school fulltime. The timeframe for this is still not clear but having the students back one day per week is a great start. As a reminder, students return according to the following:

Monday Lisieux (Red House)
Tuesday Benedict (Yellow House)
Wednesday Keira (Green House)
Thursday Samaritan (Blue House)
Friday Planning day for teachers.

Drop Off / Pick-Up

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One of the key issues around students returning to school is the issue of bringing large numbers of parents together during drop off and pick up times. From next Monday, with greater numbers of students present each day, I ask parents to consider:

using the Kiss and Drop Zone in the mornings and not physically come on site, and
considering students catching the bus in the afternoon to once again, reduce numbers of parents onsite
using the CatholicCare OOSH service that is available from 6.30am to 6.30pm
using the Kiss & Collect pick-up in the church carpark
if collecting from the hall, remain in you car until after the 3pm bell so that we don’t have lots of parents congregating near the classrooms.

Church Parking

From today we are trialling ‘Kiss & Collect’ pick-up in the church carpark. I remind parents that the driveway gates will not open until 3.10pm so that we have time to get children organised. Please do not line up blocking Powell St. Hall pick-up is still operating as normal for parents / carers to park and collect from 3pm.

Transition_Back_to_School_Term_2_11_May_2020_Parent_Letterr.pdf

Transition_Back_to_School_Term_2_11_May_2020_Parent_Letterr _pdf 194.50 KB

Cyber Safety

TOP TIPS

1. START EARLY AND KEEP TALKING

Many kids are given their first tablet or internet connected device before they can fully comprehend the power in their hands. Your parenting will need to change with the technology so research the latest trends and stay on top.

2. RESPECT AGE RATINGS

Don’t lie for your child when they want to join a social network, download an app, or purchase a game. These age ratings are in place to protect your child from inappropriate content.

3. SET RULES

Set up written rules for usage times and keep devices under your watchful eye as often as possible. Keep the family computer in the open (or screens facing common areas) and a central charging station for all portable devices to be parked at night.

4. USE CONTROLS

Many new devices, computers and WIFI routers come with parental controls already built-in that are easy to set-up but are often overlooked during the initial set-up. You can control access times and set website category blocking.

5. TEACH PASSWORDS AND PRIVACY

Help your children password protect all mobile devices and online accounts. Teach them why creating strong passwords is important, how to create them, and never to share them.

6. ENGAGE AND LEARN TOGETHER

Children are likely online more often than you. Use this to your advantage to engage with them and learn together. Password protect downloading privileges and communicate boundaries. Talk about reputation and risk.

7. MONITOR AND COMMUNICATE

Communicate what is an acceptable, respectable (to themselves and others) online post and take a peek as often as possible. Social network posts and pictures will be available to future employers and colleges.

8. PROTECT THEIR IDENTITY AND LOCATION

Remind your child not to share any type of personal information online like age, school, address, phone number, last name, or anything personally identifiable. Disable photo geotagging and talk about strangers together.

9. EXPLAIN SEXTING

Especially once they reach teen years, ensure they know the legal implications and they understand that once a pictures has left their hands, it is out there forever, affecting their future, reputation, and relationships.

10. PROTECT, UPDATE, AND BACKUP

Your internet browser, operating system, anti-virus, and programs should be updated regularly. Use an external or cloud based backup system to save photos and documents in the event that anything happens to your device.

Birthdays

6 May to 12 May

Happy Birthday to:

Alex Mpimperias, Chole Hansen, Audrey Barila, Alara Hosgorur, Kaleigh-Ann Rostirolla, calr Parr, hunter Pantsos, Eva Krkovski, Joseph Zebari.

St Therese School Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese

School Vision Statement

“St Therese Primary School – a dynamic, Catholic community

educating and empowering learners for life’s journey.”

PARISH

No Parish Masses until further notice

St Therese Parish Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/st-therese-west-wollongong-parish

17 Jun	Reconciliation and Communion Registration 7pm All day

17 Jun	Registration - Reconciliation & Eucharist 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

19 Jun	Reconciliation and Communion Registration 7pm All day

19 Jun	SUSHI DAY - Canteen All day

19 Jun	Registration - Reconciliation & Eucharist 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

20 Jun	Year 2 Excursion to Calmsly Farm All day

20 Jun	1B Class Assembly 2:10 PM - 2:40 PM

27 Jun	Year 1 Excursion - Stanwell Park Reserve All day

27 Jun	6B Class Assembly 2:10 PM - 2:40 PM

4 Jul	Morning Tea in Hall - 10.50 All day

4 Jul	End of Term 2 Assesmbly 11.20am All day