Faith & Religious Education News
Catholic Education Week
Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week. The theme was “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.” This year the Catholic Education Week Committee focused on “Hope”. This ties in beautifully with 2025 Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope.
Long Service Awards
We congratulated the Long Service recipients of our staff – Madonna O’Connor 20 Years, Nicole Kemp 25 years and Carol Dennis 35 Years. Madonna and Nicole are two of our committed School Officers and Carol is one of our wonderful supply teachers. We thank them for their exceptional contribution to the Catholic Education of our students.
Grandparents Day
Last Tuesday, Year 2 led a beautiful assembly celebrating our OLOL Grandparents. We were so impressed with the wonderful attendance of over 450 grandparents. Our Grandparents thoroughly enjoyed the prayer, visiting classrooms and morning tea. We thank all those who supported us to make this day special for our Grandparents.
Bishop's In-service
On Friday it was the Bishop’s In-service Day. Students had a holiday, while all OLOL staff gathered at St Mary’s College to celebrate Mass with 1100 of our Catholic Education colleagues. We listened to Bishop Ken Howell, Dr. Patrick Coughlan – Director of the Toowoomba Diocese, and Keynote speaker Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO. Bishop Ken reminded us that we are an important part of the Mission of the Church.
Dr Pat reaffirmed our commitment to bringing the story and teachings of Jesus to those in our community. We are cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. Dr Pat reminded us that we need to be people of courage, but we also need the support of those around us.
Fr Frank Brennan is a member of the Jesuit Order, a human rights lawyer and university academic whose life has led him all over the world helping and supporting those in marginal areas. He spoke about the importance of building relationships of Faith, Hope and Love realistically in our school communities.
Fr Frank gave his opinion about the legacy of Pope Francis – a true leader of the importance of welcoming all. He also spoke about the hope that Pope Leo XIV will continue to lead us in the building of bridges and welcoming everyone. He explained that 2025 is a Jubilee Year – a time for reflection and discernment for us all. Fr Frank is certain that the conclave of Cardinals made a positive decision in their choice of Pope Leo XIV. He is a person of Hope, an advocate for the reforms of Pope Francis. Fr Frank reminded us that we as teachers also represent this future of Hope.
Michael Mangan Concerts
Today, our school welcomed Michael Mangan, a celebrated singer and songwriter of some of our favourite liturgical songs. We sing his songs at our prayer and mass celebrations. He really had the school bopping along to his music.
St Mary Mackillop Prayer
The Prep to Year 3 children will celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary Mackillop with a special prayer celebration on Friday, 8th August at 11:15 am in the OLOL Church. All are welcome to join us.
As part of the liturgical year in our Catholic tradition, we have different days where someone or something special is recognised on a Feast Day.
August 8th is the date we recognise St Mary the Cross Mackillop - our first Australian saint. St Mary Mackillop saw the need to provide an education for children of poor families in the 1870’s. She inspired some young women to follow her to teach these children – these women became the Sisters of St Joseph. Mary and her sisters travelled throughout the heat of the outback to some of Australia’s most remote communities. They were willing to do whatever it took to set up schools, so overlooked children could pursue an education, reach their potential, and flourish. Our own Toowoomba Diocese saw the benefit of Mary’s vision –the Sisters of St Joseph started schools in places like Quilpie, St George, Allora, Pittsworth, Chinchilla, Inglewood, Millmerran, Tara, and St Thomas More’s in Toowoomba. Mary Mackillop Catholic College is named after St Mary Mackillop. The Sisters of St Joseph, who follow in St Mary Mackillop’s legacy continue to provide educational opportunities here in Australia and neighbouring countries.
Let us all continue to walk in the educational footsteps of St Mary Mackillop – by being grateful for the opportunity to learn, and remembering to help others. St Mary Mackillop was fierce in the face of adversity and acted when she saw injustice. So let us be fair and act when we see injustice, let us see a need and do something about it.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The 2nd meeting for children and parents involved in the preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is on Sunday, 10th August, at 10:45 am in the OLOL Church. Parents and their children will work on the second topic of their booklet in rotating groups.
The 3rd preparation meeting will be on Sunday 24th August at 10:45 am
The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is on Tuesday, 9th September at 7 pm. A short ceremony practice will be on Monday 8th September at 3:30 pm in the OLOL Church.
Any questions or queries please contact the OLOL Parish office. (07 4634 1453 Monday – Friday 9 am - 1 pm) or email ourladyoflourdesparish@twb.catholic.org.au
Feast of the Assumption Mass
The Year 4-6 children will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady – Mary, the Mother of Jesus on Friday 15th August with a Mass at 10 am in the OLOL Church. Again, all are welcome to join us.
The Assumption is another one of our special Catholic Feast Days. We recognise the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. We believe that God called Mary- body and soul to take a special place in Heaven. This day is a day to remember the importance of our own mothers in our lives. Mary cared for Jesus, she was the person who taught and guided Jesus to be the best person he could be. Just like our own mothers do now.
Fathers Day 2025
We celebrate our annual Fathers’ Day Mass and Sausage Sizzle on Thursday 4th September at 10 am in the OLOL school hall. All Dads, Granddads, Pas, Dars and Poppys are warmly invited to attend. Please email ONE photo of your Dad/Granddad/Poppy/ Pop/Dar/Pa with their children, for our Fathers’ Day powerpoint, to Mrs Moore (Janice.Moore@twb.catholic.edu.au ) Remember one photo or photo collage per family, by Wednesday 27 August.
If anyone is willing to be part of the cooking and serving crew which starts cooking sausages at 8:30 am. We serve the sausages to our guests and our students after Mass for a sausage sizzle morning tea. A RSVP form for catering, chairs and volunteering has been included as follows: https://forms.office.com/r/gF85UnF8Tc
Crazy Sock Day
Our Crazy Sock Day is on Thursday 18th September – wear your craziest socks with your sun safe coloured clothes and bring in a gold coin donation for Catholic Mission – a group that helps communities all over Australia and poorer areas of our world. Catholic Mission aims to empower people to help in their communities by providing education and opportunities to improve living standards.
We are also asking for a new pair of socks – any size, which we can donate to the Base Soup Kitchen- a way to help those who are struggling in our own local community. We are endeavouring to remind our students that service as a Global Citizen helps those locally as well as globally.
We have a busy term ahead!
Have a great week and stay warm!
Janice
Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity
(APMI)