“You must be ready: for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Luke 12: 40

(from the Gospel for the nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C)

Dear Parents and Carers,

Today is the solemnity of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary MacKillop was canonised as a saint of the universal church on the 17 October 2010. Her feast day is 8 August each year. Fr Richard has visited all the classes today to talk about Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of St Joseph who in turn were the founding order of our school. The Dominican sisters took over the running of our school in the 1890’s, freeing the Josephite sisters to establish the school at St Michael’s at Mittagong. Mary MacKillop famously said, “Never see a need without doing something about it.” This message is as relevant today as it was a century ago. What our world needs most now is kindness and compassion. Let’s follow Mary’s example by living this out in our relationships and community.

Year 6 Mass with the Bishop: Yesterday our school hosted the annual “Year 6 Mass with the Bishop”. with the Year 6 children from St Paul’s Camden, St Anthony’s Picton, St Micheal’s Mittagong, St Thomas Aquinas Bowral along with our own Year 6 children. This was a joyous celebration. The Catholic Youth Ministry team provided entertainment for the children who got to mingle, sing and dance together. I was especially proud of our Year 6 children who were gracious hosts and fine representatives of our school.

Western Region Athletics carnival: Tomorrow Friday 9 August we have twenty one children attending the Western Region Athletics carnival. Mrs Smith will accompany the children. Children travelling with Mrs Smith on the train to the carnival will need to be at Moss Vale station no later than 6:55am. Children returning to Moss Vale by train with Mrs Smith, will be ready to be picked up from school at 4:30pm. 

Wakakirri: is on tomorrow Friday 9 August at WIN stadium commencing at 7pm. We will be bussing children to Wollongong for a rehearsal on the afternoon of Friday 9 August. The children are very excited and looking forward to what will be a memorable experience. At the conclusion of the performance, the designated meeting point for St. Paul’s is the Harbour Street Grass Area on the western side of the venue. School staff will remain with children until they are all collected by their parents. The night is expected to conclude between 9.30pm and 10.00pm. 

Director of Schools visit: We are being visited by the Director of School Mr Peter Turner on Wednesday 14 August. Mr Turner will visit the children in the classrooms. We are discussing the future building plans that are in progress for St Paul’s.

Feast of the Assumption whole school Mass- Thursday 15 August at 9:30am: Next Thursday 15 August is the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Assumption is one of two holy days of obligation for the Australian and New Zealand church (the other being Christmas). We will celebrate with a whole school Mass at 9:30am. Parents and parishioners are most welcome to join us.

SHIPS Athletics Friday 16 August at Tudor House: Our school athletics team will participate in the SHIPS (Southern Highlands Independent Primary Schools) athletics carnival on Friday 16 August. The team has been selected from the results of the school athletics carnival held in Term 2. We will bus the children in the team to Tudor House, departing school at 9am. SHIPS is a social event and does not lead to further competition or competitive opportunities as provided for by our diocesan series of events. A note has gone home today with team members providing details of the SHIPS athletics carnival.  

“Activate the Fire” Southern Highlands Year 6  immersive spiritual experience - Monday 19 August: On Monday 19 August our Year 6 children will join with the Year 6 classes from St Thomas Aquinas, Bowral and St Michael’s Mittagong for a full day immersive spiritual experience. This opportunity is being offered by the Catholic Youth Ministry team from our diocesan Bishop’s office. The day will be centred around the Holy Spirit. The day will support the Confirmation  program. All children, irrespective of whether or not they are being Confirmed are expected to attend. More details will follow next week.

Confirmation: Our Year 6 students will begin their preparation to receive the sacrament of Confirmation this weekend with the first sacramental class to be held on Sunday 11 August after Mass. Please keep our Year 6 Confirmation candidates in your prayers . Confirmation will be held on Saturday 21 September with Bishop Brian.

Date claimers for Term 3:

Year 6 Bishop Mass

On Wednesday the 8th of August the Year 6 Bishop Mass was celebrated with four other primary schools, hosted by St Paul’s. Year 6 students from St Thomas Aquinas Bowral, St Michael’s Mittagong, St Anthony’s Picton and St Paul’s Camden joined our Year 6 group for this special occasion. We were also joined by Fr Richard and Fr Peter from St Anthony’s.
Representatives from each school participated in special roles on the day including
drumming, singing, reading and procession of gifts. The students also participated in a discussion with Bishop Brian during the Homily. After Mass, the Year 6 students were treated to a musical concert on the top oval, led by the Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong.
The Mass and the concert ran very smoothly, and all students thoroughly enjoyed
themselves. This was also an opportunity for them to mingle with students from other schools, many of whom will be attending High School together.
A special thanks to everyone who helped out and participated on the day.

Confirmation Program

Students who wish to participate in the Confirmation Program will begin the classes this Sunday.

Session 1: Sunday 11th August
Session 2: Sunday 18th August
Session 3: Sunday 25th August
Session 4: Sunday 8th September
Session 5: Sunday 15th September
(No classes on Father’s Day – 1 st September)
Confirmation: Saturday 21st September

Families are required to attend the 10:00 am Mass followed by class in the School Hall.

Activate the Fire

On Monday 19th August, Year 6 students from the Highlands schools will get together for an Immersive Spiritual Experience called Activate Fire. This experience is based on the Year 6 Confirmation Unit: Celebrating the Gift of the Holy Spirit. St Thomas Aquinas is hosting the day with the Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong assisting to facilitate the day. Year 6 students from all three schools will be attending the day, even those who are not making their Confirmation. A note will be sent home shortly with more information.

Thank you,

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

On Thursday 8th August, Father Richard visited each class to talk about Mary MacKillop's Feast Day.