Junior Faith Education Junior School
A
s tradition has it, we commenced the school year with a Mass prepared by the teachers, setting a wonderful example of what was to follow with Year level Masses. At this Mass we had the blessing and presentation of the Prefects’ and House Captains’ Badges. The Year level Masses are a central part of our Faith Development Program. Each class has several opportunities during the year to organize the Mass for the rest of the school community. This year Masses were well supported by parents and it has now become a tradition that the parents who attend Mass bring a plate and have morning tea in the Boardroom after Mass. It provides an opportunity for parents to get to know each other and more importantly, to build on our community spirit. In Term One we also had our Holy Week paraliturgies. Year 5 Blue did Palm Sunday, 4 Blue Holy Thursday, 6 Blue Good Friday and 7 Blue Easter Sunday. Needless to say teachers did a terrific job highlighting the significance of these events leading up to Easter.
Chaplain This year we were very fortunate to have Fr Michael McMahon as our full-time Junior School Chaplain. Father Michael has a wonderful rapport with the students and staff and we are extremely grateful for the many wonderful liturgies we have shared this year. We thank him for all his input and hard work with the students and his ability to make everyone feel very special.
Confirmation Once again we had an overwhelming response with parent involvement in the Confirmation Program. The home program was a great success and parents expressed how beneficial it was for the parents and boys involved. It also provided the parents with the opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. The Confirmation Retreat was held at Camp Kelly and was a great opportunity for the students to reflect on the importance of the Sacrament and on all the preparation that had gone on beforehand. Special thanks to Father Michael McMahon who attended both Year 7 Retreats and for the very special Masses that we celebrate each year. We were also very fortunate to have Father Michael as our main celebrant at the Confirmation Mass. Mr Tony Maxfield and Mr Gavin Bell did a superb job preparing the boys to receive the Sacrament and running the retreat at Camp Kelly. We are also grateful to the many parents who attended both retreats helping with the preparation of meals, attending some of the sessions and ferrying boys to and from the river for the team building activities, as well as those parents who did a fantastic job preparing the Chapel with banners, posters and beautiful flowers making it very special. It certainly set the ambience for a very meaningful celebration.
98
