Our Lady Help of Christians

May 24

The feast day to Mary Help of Christians has been celebrated in Australia since 1844 but the history to this day dates back to the start of the 1800’s.

Napoleon Bonaparte had jailed Pius VI who died in jail. When Pope Pius VII was elected, he too was jailed by Bonaparte, who kept him prisoner at Fontainbleau. The Holy Father vowed to God that if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary.

The military eventually forced Bonaparte to release the Pope and on 24 May 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians be kept on 24 May.

The infant church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. No priests were sent to the colony in its early days and Mass was not allowed except for one brief year until 1820. It was largely the Rosary in those early days that kept the faith alive. Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary and was the first nation to choose her under the title Help of Christians, as principal Patroness.

St Mary’s Cathedral was dedicated in her honour by the Irish pioneer priest, Fr John Therry, who arrived in Sydney in 1820 and assumed responsibility for the planning and initial construction of the Cathedral. When Australia became the first country to have Mary Help of Christians as Patroness, it became the first country to have a mother-cathedral under the same title.

In the Opening Prayer for Our Lady Help of Christians, the Church prays that through Our Lady’s intercession God will “grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens”, so that “under her protection Australia may be granted harmony, justice and peace”.

Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia

and of the Military Ordinariate
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
may the light of Christ shine over our land.

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

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

GREAT NEWS!!!

Next Monday we welcome back all of our students after what seems like forever. The last two months have been very challenging for staff, parents and students but I am very impressed with the innovation, persistence, flexibility and positive attitude that has been shown. School will not be ‘back to normal’ as there are still restrictions that have to be in place for the protection of the entire community. A separate letter this week to parents will outline what these changes look like

Congratulations Isadora Psarris & Madelina Belo

Isadora & Madelina both competed in an online Poetry Eisteddfod for their Speech and Drama class. Due to Covid-19, it became a Zoom competition rather than being held in a theatre. Neither of the girls knew the other was competing so you can imagine the excitement when both were tied for THIRD PLACE!! This is a fantastic effort girls and we are all very proud of you.

Staff Changes

This Friday is Mrs Stephanie Milner’s last day before commencing Maternity Leave. Mark Bunder will take over Year 4 Gold for the remainder of the year.
From Monday, Year 3 Gold will have Mr Nik Sajdovski (Mon, Tues) and Mrs Patricia Staff (Wed, Thurs, Fri)

Canteen

At this stage the canteen will be reopening in either Week 6 (June 1) or Week 7 (June 8). More details will be provided soon.

Attendance

Remains unchanged this week. I again ask, if at all possible students are kept at home on Friday as there will be quite a lot for teachers to do in preparation for all students returning on Monday.

Drop Off

Thank you to all of our parents for making the change to using the Kiss & Drop Zone or just walking children to the gate and then leaving. As mentioned previously as per government and CEO guidelines, we are trying to avoid gatherings of parents in the school grounds. Options are:

using the Kiss and Drop Zone in the mornings and not physically come on site
considering students catching the bus to school
using the CatholicCare OOSH service that is available from 6.30am.

Kiss & Collect

Over the past week we have had a steady increase in the number of parents using the Kiss & Collect near the church. While acknowledging that we have reduced numbers of students at the moment, the early signs are that this should be a very smooth operation. Some guideline to remember:

Gates will not be opened until about 3.10pm. We need time to get all students to the church and settled so that once cars start coming through, everyone is ready.
Teachers on duty will open the car door for the children to jump in
Parents remain in the car
If children require assistance with their seatbelt, parents are asked to move further into the playground space before stopping to assist. This way, other cars can continue around.
Bags should go in the back seat rather than having to open the boot
Ensure your child(ren) know that they are being pick-up from the church.

Other Pick-Up Options

All entrance gates will remain locked until 3pm
Parents are asked not to gather at the gate but to wait in their cars until gates open
Consider students catching the bus in the afternoon to once again, reduce numbers of parents onsite
Consider using the CatholicCare OOSH service that is available from 3pm to 6.30pm.

Asher Flynn – 3G

Victoria Mitropoulos – 4B

Cyber Safety

With all students returning face-to-face from next Monday, remote learning will cease. This may pose challenges in some households as children have become more accustomed to accessing the internet on iPads or laptops.

This weekend would be a good time to reset boundaries and guidelines around the use of devices so that children are part of the conversation and know what the household expectations/guidelines are.

Birthdays

20 May to 26 May

Happy Birthday to:

Jaxon Towers, Ata Schwenke, Isadora Psarris, Alessia Naumovski, Paige Gilmore.

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.”

Lisieux Day

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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