WELCOME BACK

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to school! It was fantastic to see all of the children walk through the gates yesterday. They were genuinely so happy to see all of their classmates, other students and their teachers. The staff were equally excited about having their class back. Even though times are still not “normal”, it felt like we were back into a routine and this was very settling for the children.

MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
This month is the Month of Mary and yesterday we celebrated a very special feast day- Mary Help of Christians. Mary Help of Christians (our Mother Mary) has been the official patroness of Australia since 1844. Her feast day is celebrated on May 24, which this year coincides with the Feast of the Ascension. Therefore, the entrustment of Australia to Mary Help of Christians could take place either on Sunday (24th May) or yesterday (25th May). As the COVID19 pandemic continues to affect Australians’ lives, including their worship, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has entrusted the country to the care of Mary Help Of Christians on her feast day.

O Immaculate Mary, Help of Christians, Queen of heaven and
earth, and tender Mother of humanity,
at this time when a pandemic threatens all your children,
we entrust to you our nation, Australia, and all who live in this country.

We commit to your intercession all the members of our community,
beginning with the weakest ones, from the unborn to the sick,
the disabled and the elderly.

We commit to you our families, our young and old,
and all who are vulnerable, those who are quarantined or anxious.

We entrust to your Immaculate Heart those who have lost their
livelihood or employment, our pastors and other essential
service workers, and our leaders at this time.

 We implore your intercession especially for the protection of doctors and nurses and those who minister to the contagious sick in this crisis.

Reign over us, Mother of God,
and teach us how to make the Heart of Jesus reign and triumph in us
and around us, as it has reigned and triumphed in you!

Amen

CAR PICK UP ORGANISATION
Yesterday, I spoke to the children in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 and asked them, if it is at all possible, could their parents please use the Arthur Street gate for car pick up. This will alleviate the numbers of students who are being picked up from the Alice Street Gate. Other parents who wish to use the Arthur Street Field gate can do so as well. Most parents went to the Alice Street gate yesterday and as about 70% of our students are currently leaving school by car, that was too many students and parents in the one area.

At this present time, I will leave the decision of the gate you choose to use, with the parents, however, if some families could use the field gate, I would be most appreciative. This balance of numbers will take a couple of days to become more even. I appreciate your understanding and support in the meantime.

Below is a reminder of the car drop off and pick up times and gates for entry and exit.

KINDER 2021 ENROLMENTS
This week, Fr Sean, Mrs Bourke-Nash and I are interviewing the parents and potential Kinder 2021 students. It is so wonderful to see the excitement in the children’s faces about coming into “Big School”. Thank you to all those families who have sent in enrolment forms for next year and have or will, visit our school this week.

PRAYERS
Please keep Mrs Claudia Maganja and her family in your prayers. Claudia’s mother passed away on Thursday following an illness. We are very sorry for your loss Claudia, and we want you to know that we will be praying for strength, peace, and comfort for you and your family.

Please keep in your prayers also, the family of an ex-student Darcie Lowe. Darcie passed away suddenly from an illness and this news has brought great sadness to Darcie’s family and friends and members of the St Michael’s community. We wish them all peace and comfort at this sad time.

Have a lovely week,

Best wishes and God Bless,
Mrs Katrina West
Principal

National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day is an Australian-wide observance held on May 26th each year. This day gives people the chance to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.

National Sorry Day came about as a product of the “Bringing Them Home” report in 1997 as a means to honour Australia’s First Peoples and to remember the Stolen Generation. Students at St Michael’s will commemorate this day with activities within their classrooms.

National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week occurs from 27th May – 3rd June. This year’s theme, “In this together” is now resonating in ways that could not have been foreseen when it was announced last year, but it reminds us, whether in a crisis or in reconciliation, we are all #InThisTogether.

Please look out for a reflection today on the school’s Facebook page.

PARISH NEWS

Important Information on Masses

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost marks the Holy Spirit breathing life into the hearts and minds of the Apostles, fifty days after the resurrection.  It is often referred to as the birthday of the Church.  On 31 May, our Church will celebrate another sort of birthday, opening our doors after a prolonged period of shutdown while the world comes to terms with and adjusts to the coronavirus.

Strict directives accompany the opening of Churches, and there are many tasks we will need to undertake to ensure we comply with government and local Church requirements.  These will all be posted on our parish website (www.ccsh.org.au) over the weekend as well as on the Diocesan website.

To begin, 5 Masses will be celebrated on Pentecost Sunday.  All will be held in St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral.  Times of the masses will be 9.00 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 12.00 noon., 1.30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.

Booking will be required by phoning the parish office FROM next Tuesday 26 May, 2020.

Parish Fundraising
“MEGA RAFFLE” tickets can still be purchased.  First prize is a HONDAJAZZ, valued at over $20,000 (supplied by Southern Highlands Motor Group).  Tickets on sale now, $10.00 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased via https://www.raffletix.com.au/ccsh.  The raffle will be drawn later on in the year. Thank you for your continual support in this challenging time.

Rebecca Mitchell
REC

Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrated a birthday this week:

Skye A, Brady S, Jasmine H, Shaun H, Luke R, Arabella C and Brohdi F.

The Hermitage Gift Store is open each weekday from 8.30am-4.30pm and on weekends by arrangement.  The Hermitage is located on trhe corner of Old South Road and Bong Bong Road Mittagong.  You are welcome to come and view the variety of spiritual books, journals, greeting cards, religious items and gifts we have available.  Our range of books, journals and many of our religious items can also be conveniently viweed and ordered on our website.  Purchases from our website will be delivered by mail.  The Hermitage also offers a variety of retreats throughout the year.  Visit our website www.thehermitage.org.au to find dates and booking details, or you can call us at the office on 4872 1911.