St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Primary School Warrawong eNewsletter

Religious Education News

Our School Values

At St Francis of Assisi, we value honesty because it helps us build positive relationships based on the modelling of Jesus.
At St Francis of Assisi, we show that we are a community that values honesty by:

telling the truth
owning our actions - positive and negative
acknowledging when people have been honest with us
doing the right thing even when no one is watching
saying what you mean and meaning what you say

Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance
We extend our congratulations to the children in our school and the wider parish community who will celebrate their first confession this evening. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your families tonight!
Whilst this brings to conclusion the Parish’s Sacrament of Penance program, it is hoped that people will continue to access this Sacrament of Healing over and over again as part of a life-long commitment to developing a relationship with our loving and merciful God, who longs to fill us with grace, healing and peace.

Mini Vinnies Fundraising for Project Compassion - Zooper Dooper Days
A huge thank you to our Year 4 Mini Vinnies children who have been busy selling zooper doopers for $1 to raise money for Project Compassion. The hot weather has been perfect for generating lots of business! The final zooper dooper day will be Tuesday 26 March.

Project Compassion

Fifth Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 18 March)

Partnership in Action
The work of Caritas Australia is only possible with the dedication, passion and tenacity of our local partners who implement the programs. They are the heroes on the ground, working tirelessly behind-the-scenes every day to create a better future for their communities.
Caritas Australia partners with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) to support communities living in urban slums in the Philippines. FCJ runs a number of programs that include house renovating, food processing, basic literacy skills, urban gardening, upcycling, and income generating activities. They also have a clinic visited weekly by a doctor and community nurse.
Caritas Australia partners with Caritas Samoa to assist communities to have increased access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to ensure human health and well-being by providing water tanks and sanitation facilities.

Caritas Australia partners with the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi through the A+ program. Since 2016, the A+ program has helped 7,397 families across Malawi improve their food security, access to basic water and sanitation, boost women’s income generation, and strengthen child protection.

Photo: Richard Wainwright / Caritas Australia

Holy Week
(Week beginning Monday 25 March)

This year, we shared with you the story of three inspiring women from across the globe, who overcame challenges to complete their education, access water and find secure employment. With the support of compassionate people like you, they are now forging a path to a better future for their families and their communities.
Ronita from the Philippines has now graduated high school and secured a job at a call centre. This job was only possible because of a certificate she gained from completing her studies.
Leaia and her family now have a water tank at their home in Samoa. She and her family now have a steady supply of clean drinking water. Next year, they will also have a toilet built, with the support of Caritas Samoa, which will further improve their health and living conditions.
Memory completed her vocational training course in carpentry and joinery. After completing a work contract at one of the largest electrical companies in Malawi, Memory now plans to return to her village and provide carpentry services to people in her community.
It’s through the generosity of people like you that we can continue to support people like Ronita, Leaia and Memory.

Please donate to Project Compassion

Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow, for all future generations. You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.

Photo: Richard Wainwright / Caritas Australia

Holy Week at School

To highlight the significance of Holy Week at school, classes will be visiting the Church on Monday to reflect on the final moments of Jesus’ life through praying the Stations of the Cross. The children will also be reflecting on the events of Holy Week in class during their Religious Education lessons.

Holy Week Ceremonies in our Parishes

Sat 23 or Sun 24 March (Palm Sunday)	Tues 26 March (Tuesday of Holy Week)	Thurs 28 March (Holy Thursday)

4 pm Berkeley 10:30 am Warrawong Palm Sunday Masses	7 pm St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong Chrism Mass	7 pm Warrawong The Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Fri 29 March (Good Friday)	Sat 30 March (Holy Saturday)	Sun 31 March (Easter Sunday)

10 am Berkeley Stations of the Cross (followed by Soup Kitchen Lunch) 3 pm Warrawong The Lord’s Passion	6:30 pm Warrawong Easter Vigil	8:00 am Berkeley 10:30 am Warrawong Easter Sunday Masses

Contacting the Parish
As noted in our last newsletter, from time to time, life presents us with situations that prompt us to reach out for pastoral support. If you would like to make contact with Fr Damien, Deacon Michael, Deacon Lawrie or Sr Anna, you can call the Parishes’ Office by phoning 4276 3565 or emailing berkeleywarrawong@dow.org.au. Office hours: T-F 10 am - 1:30 pm. Alternatively, you can always approach them at Mass. There are daily Masses (Tues - Fri) at St Francis of Assisi Church at 9 am. (Please Note: Morning Mass is not celebrated on Holy Thursday or Good Friday). Weekend Mass times are 4 pm Saturday @ St Mary’s, Berkeley, and 10:30 am Sunday @ St Francis of Assisi, Warrawong.

Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Coordinator