Dear Families

September is a busy month for us as it is the Christian Church’s ‘Season of Creation’, Catholic Charities month and the build-up to Grandparents and Special Friends Day.

Catholic Charities Appeal
This was founded in 1941 by Archbishop Beovich to help people in our community. Originally the Appeal was established to support the four orphanages in the Diocese but as these closed, funds were used to support other vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community. Today the Appeal support five agencies:

Centacare Catholic Family Services – Its services have grown significantly as it is one of the primary non-government organisations. Funding is sought to support Centacare’s Disability Services; the expansion of services which provide respite care for young people living with an intellectual disability – and to ease the transition to NDIS.

Hutt St Centre – This is a meal and day Centre for people experiencing homelessness. Men, women and at times children attend the Centre. Facilities are breakfast, lunch, laundry, showers, lockers, counselling, referral, housing and advocacy. Each year over 2000 people attend the Centre with approximately 51,000 meals being served. Catholic Charities helps fund the meal centre as well as the Pastoral Care Program.

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry – The Otherway Centre offers indigenous Catholics a Sunday Eucharist at St Martin De Porres Chapel. It also provides the wider indigenous community with counselling, a drop-in service, outreach, visiting people in the streets, parks, hotels, in their own homes, in prison and in hospital. It also supports indigenous students attending Catholic Schools, Cultural awareness programs, healing and referrals, liaison with state and charitable agencies. Catholic Charities raises money to support the day centre and for cultural awareness activities.

St Patrick’s Special School & Our Lady of La Vang School (formerly St Ann’s Special School) –
These two schools cater for children with intellectual and multiple disabilities. Students range in age from 5 – 20. Catholic Charities supports special teaching projects for students which can range from transitional programs preparing students to transition to post-school pathways as well as specialist teaching including music and play.

An envelope will be sent home today and we ask families to donate if they are able.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Rehearsals are well under way, costumes and props are being finished as we prepare for this special day, one of the highlights of our school year. We look forward to seeing relatives on the day. Please note that no more photos can be accepted for the opening prayer.

Season of Creation
This is celebrated throughout the world by the Christian churches. This year’s theme is ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’. We are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity.
As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice. Caring for our common home is very close to the hearts of our students, as they look to find better sustainable ways to care for our school and each other.

We pray for all creation: that we see God’s footprints in the beauty of creation. Help us to listen to the voice of creation, inspire us to respect the rights of all people, and all living species to share in God’s gifts today and to be always mindful of those who come after us.

Lord hear us.

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

Blessings to you all

Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission