By Mrs Carol Sharp, Assistant Principal Religious Education

Year Level Masses

The final year level Mass for the semester is the Year 7 Mass, scheduled to occur on Tuesday, June 14. We begin again with a new round of Masses next semester. A reminder for students to assemble in the breezeway at 8.35 am to have their names marked off the roll, ready to walk to Mass at 8.45 am.

Years 7 & 8 Retreat

Recently, our Years 7 and 8 students were involved in a retreat day held here at the College. For the Year 7s, the day was designed to build their understanding of what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God and how that challenges each of us to live our lives to the full. The emphasis in the Year 8 retreat was on the Holy Spirit and the gifts provided by the Spirit to help us overcome the challenges that life throws at us. These spiritual retreats were held in conjunction with sessions from Unleashing Personal Potential, an organisation that works with schools to develop students’ growth mindset, grit, and determination when learning.

Students had a fun-filled day with plenty of opportunities for real-life lessons and reflection on who they are and how they will meet the challenges they will, no doubt, face as they grow. And, of course, there was plenty of pizza to share for lunch. Thank you to all the students for your engagement on the day, to Mrs Natalie Smith for her organisation of the Unleashing Personal Potential sessions, to the Years 7 and 8 teachers for their participation on the day and to our College Chaplain, Miss Denise Ryan, for her support in delivering engaging games and activities on the day.

Founders’ Day

We will celebrate our second annual Founder's Day on the last day of this term. While this day is a fun way to spend the final day of semester together, building community and encouraging attendance, it also has a vital role to play in developing our understanding of who our founders were and the gifts of faith they have left for us. With a unique combination of three founders, Assumption College has many gifts for which to be thankful. Our focus this year is on cultural diversity and harmony and how working towards this brings the liberation of Edmund Rice, the empowerment of Catherine McAuley and the nurturing spirituality of Our Lady of the Assumption.

The day will begin with a Mass celebrated in Assumption Hall. There will also be games held in year level groups, Indigenous games, NAIDOC dancers, a smoking ceremony and didgeridoo players. While sometimes it is tempting to let your child stay at home on days where there are no formal classes, all students are expected to attend. Days like Founders’ Day allow for students to make important and meaningful connections with their school community, peers, and teachers. These connections, along with the realisation of the vision and mission of the school, can only provide positive outcomes for the learning that occurs in the classroom.

ACW Thrift Store

Donations continue to roll in for the ACW Thrift Store. With the Thrift Store opening on the last day of term, Founders’ Day, you still have plenty of time to bring in your unwanted, good quality clothes. Please donate and encourage our community members to avoid the fast fashion trends that have such a negative impact on our environment and on the most vulnerable members of the global community.

Prayer

This week’s prayer was distributed to Pastoral Care classes so that we can pray together for the people of Ukraine. It is important to realise that prayer is action. By combining our collective voices in prayer to God, we are working to help bring the crisis in Ukraine to an end.

Prayer For Ukraine

O Lord our God, look down with mercy on the Ukrainian people. Protect and save them from the unjust aggressors who seek to subdue them. Grant them steadfast trust in your mercy and protection.

O Mother of God, who gave us your miraculous icon at Zarvanytsia, intercede for the Ukrainian people, who run to the shelter of your mercy in their times of need.

O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Grant peace and protection to the people of Ukraine. Give them strength and courage to defend what is good, right, and holy. Keep them safe from harm and provide for all their needs, both temporal and spiritual.

Hear our prayers, O Lord, and deliver us from distress, for You are merciful and compassionate and love all people. To You we give glory: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer written by Carrie Chuff, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic mother. 

https://www.catholicicing.com/catholic-prayer-for-ukraine-printable/

For more information on the icon at Zarvanytsia in Ukraine please click this link.