Religious news Term 3 Week 5

Preparation day

Next Wednesday 19th August, the Year 6 Confirmation candidates will take part in an important day of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Students will have the opportunity to walk through the Confirmation ceremony, create artwork and participate in activities that will deepen their understanding of the sacrament.  Students may wear casual clothes and a pizza lunch will be provided.
On Tuesday 25th August, Bishop Martin Ashe, who will preside at the Confirmation ceremonies, will visit Clairvaux.  He will speak to the students about the significance of Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how these gifts can guide us in living our faith each day.

Confirmation reminders

Stoles:  Confirmation symbols need to be added to the stole.  If ordering from  www.graciousglyphs.com.au please add an order number to the labelled bag sent home with students.  Final orders must be in by this Friday 14th August.

Sacramental fee: $30 Sacramental fee is due and payable to St. Bernard’s Parish Office.  Refer to email from Karen Marshall (parish finance officer) stating bank details.  Must be attended to prior to receiving the sacrament.

Sponsor and Saint’s Name: Once both have been chosen, please refer to the Google Form sent to all Year 6 families via email this week This  information is required for the Confirmation card that is presented to the Bishop by each candidate's sponsor on the day.

Confirmation Mass Booking: Bookings have now closed.  If  there are any last minute changes in mass times required due to unforeseen circumstances, please refer your request or queries to: 

Julie Routley (REL) jroutley@ccsbelmont.com.au or Chrissie Puls (St. Bernards Parish Sacramental Coordinator)Chrissie.Puls@cam.org.au

St. Bernard’s Day Celebrations 

Schedule of Events:

• 9.15 am Whole School Mass - St. Bernard’s Church (all welcome)
• 12:00 - 1:00 pm Lap-a-thon for Mannya - Clairvuax senior oval (all welcome)
• from 1:30 pm Free Sausage Sizzle second lunch & lollipop end of day

kindly donated by Clairvaux Connect. Please notify 
classroom teachers of dietary requirements by Mon 17th Aug

• Afternoon In-class fun activities:

• Students wear their sports uniform and bring a filled water bottle.

St. Bernard

St Bernard is the patron saint of our parish and school. He lived a simple and prayerful life, placing great importance on hospitality, welcome and a love of learning.
Our school is named after Clairvaux, the village in France where St Bernard lived. Clairvaux means ‘valley of light’, inspiring this year’s St Bernard’s Day theme: ‘Shining Our Light’. Through our Touchstones and our actions, we are encouraged to share our light and bring hope to others, especially those in need.

Our Connection with Mannya

For around 20 years, it has been a Clairvaux tradition to celebrate St Bernard’s Day with a Lap-a-thon to raise funds for our sister school, St Aloysius Primary School in Mannya, Uganda.
Our fundraising supports the health, education and wellbeing of the approximately 400 children who attend St Aloysius. Funds raised through the Lap-a-thon specifically support the children’s education, breakfast program and wellbeing needs, as well as initiatives that help the wider Mannya community become more self-sufficient.
Many of the children at St Aloysius have been affected by poverty and rely on the school for food and support. Our ongoing partnership helps provide opportunities for children and families to build a brighter future.
Over the years, our fundraising has helped to:

• Support the construction of St Aloysius Primary School
• Provide sporting equipment
• Provide books and stationery
• Support the breakfast and lunch programs
• Provide cows to supply milk
• Support the coffee-growing initiative, creating employment and income for local families and helping the community become more self-sufficient

More information about the Mannya Project and the support provided by Clairvaux and St Bernard’s Parish can be found here.
We are also grateful for our ongoing connection with Fr Emma, the parish priest at St Aloysius, who has visited Clairvaux on several occasions. He continues to express his gratitude for the support of our school and parish community.

How You Can Help 

This year, we encourage everyone in our Clairvaux community to once again support our annual Lap-a-thon for Mannya.             
Students can ask family and friends to sponsor them by either:

• donating an amount per lap, (using sponsor form sent home earlier) or
• making a one-off donation.

Donations: can be made on-line through  School 24, under EVENTS - Lapathon for Mannya, from Monday 3rd August until  Friday 28th August
Thank you for helping our students shine their light and make a difference to the children and families of Mannya.

Thank you also to Cyndie Mumford and our Year 4 CSC representatives who are busy helping to organise this special day.