Newsletter

St Mary's Catholic School 15 February 2023

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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:17–37

I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfil them.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Matthew continues the Sermon on the Mount with a three part instruction by Jesus on the Way of Life in the kingdom of heaven. Today’s reading is part one and deals with the Law. Part two deals with worship and religious practice and contains the Lord’s Prayer. Part three deals with trusting God and deeds of loving service to our neighbour.

When Matthew speaks of “the Law and the prophets” he means the whole Scripture. When the Messiah brings the fullness of the kingdom none of scripture will be done away with. Instead it will be fulfilled. Matthew’s Jesus does not overturn the Law of Moses, nor does he set his followers free from the Law. He requires his followers to go beyond the Law by doing more than the Law requires.

The Law condemned murder. Jesus condemns anger. The Law condemned adultery. Jesus condemns even lustful looks. As Jewish Christians who had always been faithful to the Law Matthew’s community need a way to understand the difference Jesus and the kingdom he brings have made. They affirmed that God had always been at work in history through “the Law and the prophets.” But God’s work goes beyond that to be embodied by the Messiah who reveals the definitive will of God. The written scriptures and their interpretation in tradition are surpassed by Jesus whose life and teaching are the definitive revelation of the will of God.

Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,

Tihei mauri ora, nau mai, haere mai, tena koutou katoa, E nga whanau, e nga kaiako, e nga tamariki, e nga manuhiri, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa

Kia ora whānau

I have been reflecting on the last few years and the start of each of these years has involved COVID. I know we still have it in our community and we hope that our whānau are coping with this currently.

We appreciate our community's understanding around the cyclone and the impact that also had.

I have been visiting the classrooms since we started this year and have been really impressed with our teaching and learning. The children and teachers are working their way through the curriculum and it's really exciting to see.

Communication

Make sure you keep up to date by checking out our school app and website as they will have all the latest information. We will also be sharing information and learning through HERO, and Seesaw.

No Hat No Play

All children will need their hats to be outside. No Hat No Play. Children are asked to keep sunscreen in their bag and apply it when necessary during the day. We ask for your help and support with these requests. We also have sunscreen available in the classrooms and at 3 stations throughout the school during break times.

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Engaging Communities

I invite you to be an active and engaged member of our school community. We have many opportunities for you to get involved throughout the year and we welcome this. Your participation helps create a positive and supportive learning environment for your child(ren) and for all of our students. Please keep an ear out for how you can support and work alongside us! This term we have the Engaging Communities launch and shared dinner, and our Parish School Mass with a picnic afterwards. Please make sure you come and enjoy and meet some new families along the way.

Engaging Community Potluck Dinner

You are invited to our St Mary's Community Shared Dinner A wonderful opportunity to come together to celebrate our community and hear about our exciting Kotahitanga Initiative (Engaging Community) When: 5:30 - 7pm on Tuesday 21st of February Where: Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey Cen...

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Communication - School app, Website, HERO, Seesaw

Make sure you keep up to date by checking out our school app and website as they will have all the latest information. We will also be sharing information and learning through HERO, and Seesaw

Phones

Again in 2023 if your child needs to bring a phone to school could you please write a letter to me outlining the reason. Your child will then be able to power off and drop the phone into the office. They will then collect it from the office at the end of the day.

Communication from rural bus services

The best place for parents to get information about school bus services is via https://schooltransport.org.nz/

Parents should always refer to this website as it is the most effective way to get the most up to date information rather than relying on schools to act as intermediaries.

Ngā mihi

James Murray

Principal

CATHOLIC CHARACTER

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On Monday we were very lucky that Sister Allison was able to join us for our Liturgy focused on our Cluny Charism. Sister Allison shared the story of Blessed Anne-Marie Javouhey’s childhood and the events that led to her beginning her special work as a Sister of St Joseph of Cluny. Thank you to Sister Allison for joining us and sharing your depth of knowledge with our children. Well done to our new Liturgical Leaders Zainab, Rylee, Maddy and Catherine who led their first Liturgy so beautifully and confidently.

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Ash Wednesday

Next Wednesday (22nd February) is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. There will be Mass at school at 9.00am in the Blessed Anne-Marie Javouhey Centre where the children will celebrate the Eucharist and receive the ashes on their foreheads. As always you are very welcome to join us for this Mass.

School Parish Mass

You are warmly invited and encouraged to join us for our first School Parish Mass for 2023 on Saturday 4th March at 5.00pm. This is a very special celebration where we will come together as a school and parish community. It’s important for us all to be part of the Mass and a lovely way to gather as a wider community. Following the Mass there will be a picnic in the school grounds where you can either bring a picnic or there will be a sausage sizzle and ice block for all children to enjoy. There will be games and sports equipment on the field so children can play while the adults can relax and meet one another. So please make sure you add the date to your diary!

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Lent

As part of our commitment to Social Justice, we continue to support the work of Caritas - focusing on the theme for Lent 2023 “I am the light of the world”. As a school we will be raising funds for Fiji by having a mufti day on Friday 10th March. Children are encouraged to come to school dressed in Fijian themed clothing and bring a gold coin donation. We recognise that we are called to be like Jesus and give service to those in need.

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Atrium

We are excited to begin our teaching in the Atrium again this year. We are very fortunate to have four volunteers from our parish who generously give their time each week to support the Atrium in our Junior school. Our Year 1 teachers have also undertaken the intensive training to be Catechists of the Good Shepherd and are leading prayer and our RE programme in their classrooms following this model.

The Atrium is a place of prayer, meditation, quiet and peace - it is the ‘holy ground’ where Christ is encountered. It is a designated space with specially chosen resources based on the two pillars of the Church - Scripture and Liturgy. It is a spiritual experience for both the adults and the children. Within the Atrium we recognise that the only teacher is Christ - the catechist is seen as a facilitator rather than teacher. Christ instructs both the child and adult through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Each lesson or presentation is planned, yet not too scripted in order to allow for the Holy Spirit to guide the adult’s work.

Unless you change and you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”

(Matthew 18:3)

Our atrium is being temporarily moved to Room 3, until the room is needed for a New Entrant class. We are looking at alternative locations for our atrium, either in a purpose built container or mobile unit. If you have any other creative ideas, please feel free to let us know. We also welcome any further support from our community such as making resources and/or volunteering time to spend time in the atrium with our children.

Thank you for your continued support.

God Bless

Fay Warnock

Director of Religious Studies/Deputy Principal

OTHER SCHOOL NEWS

The Scholastic Book Club brochure has a new look

It’s bigger, but still contains great specials. Please note that in keeping with the school’s cashless mandate we will no longer accept cash orders.

Please note that in keeping with the school’s cashless mandate we will no longer accept cash orders. Please place all orders through the online loop link. See back page of brochure for details.

Issue 1 is out now and closes on Friday 24 February 2023.

PARISH NEWS

2023 Parish Sacramental Programme

The 2023 Parish Sacramental Programme is now in place and the programme schedule is available on the Parish website, as is the online form. This link is:

https://taurangamoanacatholic.nz/sacramental-life/sacramental-programme-2023/

This online enrolment form will be available until Monday 27th February 2023. NO LATE ENROLMENTS will be accepted. We will be advertising this on all of the Parish platforms (newsletters, Parish app, Facebook page and of course website).