Religious News

                                                                                              RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Sacrament of Reconciliation

On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of this week, our Year 3 students, along with other students from Clairvaux and St. Bernard’s parish took part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. The children arrived with such joy, and were calm, respectful, and engaged as they moved around the church and participated in the ceremony. It has been a busy term for Year 3 and it was clear how much preparation went into making this evening special.  

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a life-long one, prompting us to reflect on our everyday choices and understand the importance of learning from our mistakes. Children were  encouraged to recognise how their actions affect others and the significance of both forgiving and asking for forgiveness. They also considered ways to show others they are sorry through both their words and actions. 

We are grateful for Fr. Tho  and other visiting priests who administered the ‘healing’ Sacrament of Reconciliation, Chrissie; our Parish Sacramental coordinator, the Year 3 teachers who dedicated much time into the preparation of the students and other supporting staff who assisted on the evenings. 

 It was a very special and memorable experience for students and families.

 

The Sacrament of Eucharist

Year 4 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time during Term 2.  More information will be sent to families at the start of next term.                                               

Important dates are as follows:

FAMILY FAITH FORMATION: Wednesday 14th May 6:30pm – St. Bernard’s Church

PRESENTATION MASSES: Saturday 17th May 6pm, Sunday 18th May 9am and 10:30am  Saturday 24th May 6pm, Sunday 25th May 9am and 10:30am

PREPARATION DAY: Tuesday 10th June 9am-3pm 

SACRAMENT DATES: Saturday 14th June 6pm, Sunday 15th June 10:30am

Saturday 21st June 6pm, Sunday 22nd June 10:30am

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Holy Week is a special time on the Christian calendar when we remember and celebrate the last days of Jesus’  life on Earth.  It is like a journey through different emotions – happiness, love, sadness, waiting, and finally, joy and hope that Easter brings.  Please join us during our final week of term on Tuesday 1st April, 9.15am at the amphitheatre in the school playground,  as we sing, dance and dramatise the events of Holy Week as a whole school community.  We warmly invite parents/carers to join us in this special celebration.  BYO fold up chair.   

The following Year levels will be presenting special parts:                   Prep : Lent                                                                                              Year 1 :  Palm Sunday                                                                              Year 4JH :  Holy Thursday                                                                          Year 5TD : Praying in the Garden                                                                Year 5LO:  Good Friday                                                                              Year 5LO / Year 2 :  Easter Sunday 

Geelong Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope.

Last Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, eight Year 5 CSC representatives Mason D, William E, Siena D, Eli Y, Emmy J, Ethan H, Archer G, Sophie H and Sabelle C were selected to join Geelong Catholic school communities to unite in a historic pilgrimage that weaved our rich Catholic heritage, deep connection to the country, and shared commitment to service.  Our pilgrimage took us through significant landmarks that told the story of our faith: beginning at the historic Geelong Cemetery, walking past St. Mary’s School, our oldest Catholic educational institution, and ending our journey at the magnificent St. Mary's Basilica, where we celebrated Mass together as Pilgrims of Hope, united in faith and purpose.  This event was aptly organised to take place during Catholic Education Week.  Our eight year 5 students proudly represented our school Clairvaux in a responsible, respectful manner.

WORDS of HOPE from Pope Francis

‘Everyone knows what it is to hope.

In the heart of each person, hope dwells 

as the desire and expectation of good things to come,

                 despite our not knowing what the future may bring.’


Once we had lunch at st mary footy club we searched for our bus. After we found it we dropped Nazareth primary school off. After the long ride back toour school we sat down and had some icy poles and played some game.  Ethan Hll

Once we arrived at the prison we sat down and had a snack and took some pictures.They talked about in the old days if a child was seen searching for food without an adult they would be sent to juvie for 9 to 12  months.My friend mason his dad works at holy family so we went over to have a chat he said  how lucky we are to because it happens every 25 years and wouldn't be going but the year sixes were at camp.  Archie

The Cemetery and Smoke Ceremony

At the cemetery we walked down to a small chapel at the bottom of the hill and received lanyards for the smoking ceremony.  We saw the lady at the pit wearing an animal skin and she put green leaves on the fire and made the smoke for the ceremony.  We walked through the smoke and a guy with a microphone told us all about the cemetery like the different parts of cultures and the symbols on the gravestones. We went into the chapel and looked around the room until we got out and left the cemetery.  Eli Y.

The Pilgrims of Hope Beginning.

On our 2025 pilgrims of hope journey we arrived at school at 8.35am right on the bell.  Soon we silently walked to the Foley Centre where we met our two teachers for the trip.  At 8.50am we were on the bus and we drove for what seemed to be like well…Forever.  We kept driving and soon we got to Nazareth Primary School soon we got to the cemetery.  Unknown

The Saint Mary's Mass

After Saint Mary's Hall we walked to Saint Mary's Church where we had an amazing mass.  A rush of excitement filled the air as we all looked for our seats well... of course after a massive line for the bathroom.  All of the schools put up their banners, the finished result looked like a vibrant array of colors blasting into your eyes.  I guess you could say it was a bit of a mess!  What really grabbed our attention was the breathtaking stained glass windows my mum could tell you all about from the millions of photos she took.  We thought it was very interesting how the glass was brighter where the angels were but darker where the "villains" were.  I wanted to get a stained glass window for my house but my mum was reluctant to do so.  Eventually the mass started and we had an amazing priest who taught us all inspiring stories of hope, our religion and truly inspiring stories of the bible.  When mass finished we were led to the back of the church where we saw heaps of areas where you called to pray to a saint.  The stations had an enormous stain glass window, a lifesize statue of your desired saint, little symbols and figures with hidden meanings and a purple velvet pillow to kneel on and pray.  There were three big rooms watch for Mary,  Jesus and Joesph.  We were later sent away but with smiles because of an amazing experience we would never forget.  Sabelle C

        

Julie Routley 

(Religious Education Leader)