Dear sisters and brothers,

This melting heat reminds us that we are right in the middle of summer. Even so, the lazy days of January are coming to an end. I’m sure that is the sound of the school bell that I can hear warming up — not that anything takes much warming up at the moment. Our school staff has already returned, preparing for the year ahead. Our children will join them on Tuesday, and our Prep students take the bold step of starting on Friday. We wish everyone an enjoyable and easy start to the year, and especially welcome new families to our school and parish community.

The start of the school year announces that the new year is well and truly under way. We have some important events coming in the approaching week or two. This Thursday is Australia Day. We will celebrate Mass at 9am, followed by a morning tea hosted by our community and mission council. Please come along and be part of the celebrations.
On Friday, 3rd February, we will celebrate the feast of St. Agatha (the actual date is the 5th but that will be a Sunday). St. Agatha is the patron saint of sufferers of breast cancer, and to mark the feast day, we will host a Ladies’ breakfast for sufferers and people who have been touched by breast cancer. The breakfast, from 7:15am, will be held in the Presentation Centre, followed by tea and coffee in the APAC building with guest speaker Erin Heath. This will be followed by our opening year school Mass at 9am. The cost will be $12.50 per adult and all profits will go to the “Mummy’s Wish” foundation. This is our inaugural feast day event, and I hope that it will become an important community gathering for our school and parish community.

Tickets can be purchased (as of Tuesday 24 January) through Sticky Tickets at www.stickytickets.com.au/47961. I will provide more information next week, but for now, please keep this important community gathering free and come along to celebrate St. Agatha and offer a hand to those who are in need of our support and friendship.

Fr. Anthony