Last Sunday’s Gospel told the story of the Transfiguration. This was a striking intervention by God in the lives of three of the disciples to show them who Jesus really was in order to strengthen them in their faith before he entered into his Passion and death on the cross.

Jesus took with him his three closest disciples Peter, James and John to a high Mountain and in their presence he was transfigured. When he was transfigured before them, his face shone like the Sun and his garments became white as snow. Moses the greatest law -giver and Elijah the greatest prophet of Israel come to the side of Jesus and talked to him about his passion and death. Their presence and their talking with Jesus indicated their total endorsement of all that Jesus was doing and also of all that he would experience in the days to come. For Jesus this was a special moment. He was now close to Jerusalem and hence close to his passion and death by crucifixion. This was the important moment when he had to strengthen his disciples particularly the ones who had been chosen to be close to him during his ministry. Jesus wanted who he was to be revealed to them. God told them that Jesus was his Beloved Son in whom he was well pleased and that they ought to listen to him. These were the same words used at Jordan during his Baptism as he began his ministry.

Jesus then spoke to the disciples in a gentle reassuring voice.  Jesus was alone. From now on the disciples would only see only Jesus, but, after that experience, they knew that he was not alone, that he had the full backing of his Father and of the Jewish tradition of the Law and the Prophets. Who he really was and his mission were revealed.

Today, if we choose to listen God still speaks to us and tells us that Jesus is his beloved son and that we ought to listen to him, For the disciples unknown to them the glory of Jesus’ transfiguration was preparing them for what was to come. They would understand this only later with the resurrection. Today let us look beyond the pain of life and see the presence of God in our world, and the gift of life that God makes to each of us. We ask God for faith in order to trust and follow God’s will. We know not why things happen until we take the time for reflection afterwards, even then it is not always clear.

Dear Lord,

Speak to me and guide me through hard times.

In troubling times, I am filled with fear.

I reach out my hand to you,

And ask you to walk beside me as your Father, Moses and Elijah were there with you.

When I cannot carry all of my burdens, please walk beside me.

Please help me hold on strong, through the trials and storms.

Help me hold on to my faith when in doubt.

Stay with me Lord, and show me your will so I too am enlightened like the disciples and understand your will for me.

Amen.

LA Congress
We wish Mrs West safe travels as she joins other members of the Southern Highlands, including Father Sean in attending the Religious Education Congress in LA.

Week of Celebrations
This week is a big week of celebration for our school comminuity. St.Patrick’s Day was celebrated with a “Green Day” fundraiser for Maubara orphanage and activities. $243.05 was raised from the "Green Day" for Maubara.  Thank you.

Yesterday was Father Sean’s birthday.  Today is St.Joseph’s day which we will be celebrating with a special liturgy this year as Father Sean is not available for a Mass; and Harmony Day on Thursday with special canteen orders, an orange “tinge” to the uniform, classroom activities and a special prayer at assembly on Friday.

Uniform Survey
We are in the process of finalising the style for the girls' summer uniform and would like your opinion on the piping and colour of the tab.  The uniform will look like the one pictured with a zippered pocket.  Please click on the survey link below to nominate your preference. I apologise for the quality of the picture, as I was unable to find exact pictures of our proposals and had to do my best to modify what I could find.  Please respond by Friday 29th March.  A paper copy of the survey is available from the school office if required.

Have a lovely week everyone,
Kayleen Petzer

This morning as a whole school we gathered together for a short liturgy to celebrate the Feast of St Joseph. Joseph, along with Mary and Jesus, forms the Holy Family. He looked after Mary, cared for Jesus, and protected his family from danger. Joseph was a good man, an honest man, a gentle man, and a hard working man. Over the past 2000 years many people have been inspired by the life of St Joseph. In Australia, Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods founded the ‘Sisters of St Joseph’. The Sisters of St Joseph travelled across Australia opening schools and hospitals, and tried to help people wherever they could. Our school, St Michael’s, was started by the Sisters of St Joseph back in 1891. And for many years our school was actually named St Joseph’s school.

As we move towards the half way point of Lent it is lovely that several students (families) have contributed to our Project Compassion appeal. Thank you very much for doing this. Please remember that the money raised will go directly to help people in need and encouraging children to donate some of their own money helps develop empathy and concern for others. Each class has a box for donations.

In the wake of the terrible events this past week in New Zealand, let us pray for an everlasting peace in our world. Pope Francis in the past has stated:

“Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. May peace triumph at last, and may the words "division", "hatred" and "war" be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the words which always bring us together will be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!”

 Mr Richard Tuckwell, REC

Listed below are some important school dates.  The school calendar is updated regularly and can be accessed via the school website and Compass parent portal.

MARCH

Compass
This year you will have noticed that we have been transitioning from Skoolbag to Compass.  If you haven't already done so, we strongly encourage you to download the Compass App.  Within the Compass App you will find the St Michael's parent calendar which can be viewed from the homepage or by selecting  the calendar icon in the menu.  The parent calendar can also be viewed in our Schoolzine newsletters.

Links to both the latest version of our newsletter and facebook page can be found on our school website.

If you are have technical difficulties, please see the office staff.  

Parent Teacher Conferences 
A reminder that if you have not already done so, please book your parent/teacher conference via the Compass Parent Portal.  Bookings will close this Wednesday with interviews to start next week.  Please contact the school office if you need assistance.

National Day of Action Against Bullying
Friday 15th March was the National Day of Action Against Bullying. It is an opportunity to nationally recognise the things that are being done in schools to counter bullying. The following website is a great resource for students, parents and schools.  

Please see attached minutes from the recent P&F meeting

Thank you, P&F Committee

Cross Country
This year’s Cross Country Carnival will be held on Monday 1st April at Alexandra Square Park (the park across the road from the school).  Children will be walking to the park. 

The carnival will commence at approximately 9.30am.

Children will need to wear their full school sports uniform including their school hat and will need to bring lunch, afternoon tea, drinks (including plenty of water) and sunscreen.

Helpers will be needed on the day to assist with the races - If you are able to support the day, please fill in and return the helper's note.  

Rugby League Trials
Congratulations to Max Abela who has been selected to represent the Wollongong Diocese at the MacKillop Rugby League Trials early next term.

AFL Gala Day 
Last Thursday, a team from Years 5 & 6 participated in the AFL Paul Kelly Cup Gala Day.

They had a fantastic day with some rain thrown in for fun and every student represented our school with pride and enjoyed playing AFL. 

Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who came to help cheer on the teams. A special thank you to Mr Smythe who offered his help with training and also to the parents who offered their help on the day.  Your assistance is very much appreciated.  A special thank you to Mr Tuckwell for attending the day with the students.

Thank you for joining our Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) schools across the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands, and Catholic school communities across NSW, in celebrating Catholic Schools Week for 2019. It's been a wonderful week of open days, activities, masses, liturgies and other special events - including the Diocesan Education Mass, which was a significant highlight of CSW. Read more about the Mass and listen to Director of Schools, Peter Turner's speech here.

Catholic Schools Week has showcased some of the fantastic things happening in our schools every day, and has very much highlighted our local Catholic schools - including yours! - as vibrant places of learning, faith, hope and opportunity. Thank you for your involvement.

We'd like to share with you our small Catholic Schools Week video that has been promoted throughout Catholic Schools Week. Can you spot the students from your school in this video?

EXCITING NEWS!!!  Fresh Starts Canteen will shortly be trialling a 24/7 cashless solution for the ordering and purchasing of canteen lunches.  The system largely replaces the traditional lunch order system where students bring money and a bag to school to place an order. 

The online ordering system, called Flexischools, allows parents to place orders from home or work at any time up until 9.00am in the morning. As payment for the order is made online, parents no longer need to send cash and a paper lunch order to school.  

As well as being convenient for parents, the online orders are much faster and easier for the canteen to process, making everyone's life a little easier. Flexischools is well established and tested, and is operating in hundreds of schools across Australia.

If you do not have access to the internet you will be still be able to order lunches using a paper bag and money.

This week's canteen specials:-

Chicken burger, lettuce and mayo $5.00
Snack pasta pot $1.00

CANTEEN CLOSED MONDAYS/TUESDAYS

Happy birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week:

James S.B