In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus was asked if many will be saved at the end of time.  Jesus told the man that God will welcome all those who are ready, who have goodness and love in their hearts and have shown by their actions and words they are ready for God’s kingdom.  Jesus showed us the way, so we can follow his example.

This week at Holy Spirit, we value kindness.  We define kindness as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.  In simple terms, it means being good to people around us.  We can do this by being polite to them, offering them emotional support, helping them in any way or by being supportive to them.  This week we pray for our students to think about their actions and how they can be kind to others.  We can share with them that kindness is such a simple thing to achieve and can be spread by each and every one of us.  By telling someone they look nice today, holding the door open or by saying hello to someone they walk past to let them know that they have thought about them. 

Grandparents Liturgy – Wednesday 4^th September, 8:45am in the Hall

Next Wednesday morning is our Grandparents Liturgy – a time to celebrate the gift of grandparents and all the things they do for us.  We look forward to welcoming all our grandparents to the Liturgy and activities following.

Clergy Foundation Appeal

The annual Clergy Foundation Appeal for Sick & Retired Priests will take place on the 31^st of August and Father’s Day, 1^st of September. The Clergy Foundation currently support seven retired Priests in the Townsville Diocese. Each year we appeal to your generosity and ask you to donate to the Clergy Foundation Appeal via cash donation or with your credit card details through the appeal envelopes. These will be available in the Parish next weekend. We thank you for your continued generosity.

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

I recall an occasion when I was walking through our local shopping centre and my two youngest boys, Robbie and Jamie, ten and eight respectively, were arguing.

I resorted to a tried and true behaviour management strategy - silly dancing while singing loudly - until they brought their behaviour into line. It was highly effective.

They told me I was so embarrassing. I explained that being embarrassing is one of the many things they teach new fathers-to-be at Daddy School.

They disagreed. They said the job of daddies is to give piggybacks, be playful and buy kids milkshakes. Perhaps we were all right.

With Fathers’ Day coming up, it did start me wondering about what good fathers do to make a positive difference for their children.

I was fortunate enough to have had two good fathers - my natural father, Bob, and my emotionally adopted father, Neil.

My natural father, Bob, died when I was five. This Fathers’ Day, he will have been gone for 50 years. I have a handful of memories and photos. And mum was good at telling stories that helped me to know the good man he was.

When I was twelve, I latched myself onto my adopted father, Neil. I will never forget the warm hugs he gave this fatherless boy from that time forward. And how he stepped up to be a father to me, supported me, and has provided a good example for me for the past 43 years.

Both Bob and Neil were quite different. Bob was a big man with builder’s hands–the original Bob the Builder. He was also quite irreligious. Neil was a Pharmacist, has a love for musicals and ballet, and a very sincere faith.

But both men also had a few things in common. They both loved to sing. They shared silliness and playfulness, were generous with their time and money. And they both loved me.

Then there are the other young men in my life who have also taught me something about being a dad – my three sons, Damian, Robbie and Jamie – who I have made my share of mistakes with and who have also helped me to become a better dad.

So, what have I learned from my two fathers and three sons about being a dad?

There are all the usual things that fathers do, such as working hard, providing for and protecting the family.

But I also think good fathers …

• Do things with their children, are present, and are interested
• Don’t hold back in showing love to their children
• Try to set a good example for how good men behave
• Apologise for their own imperfect behaviour, when needed
• Set an example with their partner of how good relationships work
• Are playful and silly
• Provide a balance of love and limits
• Are physical with their children – showing affection, play wrestles, giving piggybacks and tickles to their younger children, playing sport together
• And, yes, they need to be embarrassing as well

I think there is a wide diversity of what makes good fathers. You may have a few things to add to this list. And there are certainly no perfect dads. If you missed out on having a good father, then perhaps you should find one or, if you are a dad, model yourself on one.

We certainly do give our children a huge head start in life when they are surrounded by love.

With a nod to Harry Potter, I often say to my boys that my love, and the love of their mother, is in their very skin. And our love will help to protect them from adversity and to live a happy life.

Happy Fathers’ Day, Bob and Neil. Your love and example certainly made a difference for this boy.

Quote of the Week Quote of the Week

“I love my mother and father. The older I get, the more I value everything that they gave me." - Liev Schreiber

Loving God,

You are always ready to forgive us.  Help us to forgive others when they do the wrong thing.  We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen - By Lani

God our father.

You gave us the beautiful outdoors. Help us to stop destroying it.  We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. - By Kaden

Loving God,

You gave us lovely friends and family members.  Help us to always be loving and caring towards each other.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. - By Lucy 

Please remind your children about their personal safety and the need for caution when travelling to and from school.

On Monday morning at a Townsville school, a male person approached a young girl in a panel van with tinted windows and asked her to get into the van so he could show her something.  The van was later seen outside a local school at pick up time.  

For the safety of your child, please ask your child to wait in the designated supervised areas. The three areas are: Lynch Family Hall in Hatchett Street, the rotunda on the back oval near Albert St. and the garden area near Holy Spirit Church.

I realise that it may be more convenient for you to meet your child at another location in the school, however, unless it is the classroom your child is not supervised in any other area.

Should your child arrive late to school (after the 8.30 am bell), it is also timely to remind parents to accompany children to the school office to be signed in.

Please help us to keep your child safe.

Artie’s Music is looking for a Junior Entertainer of the year for 2019. The competition is open to solo instrumental students only. It is a great way to showcase your child’s talents, build his/her confidence and encourage his/her love of music.

This competition will be held in the Lynch Family Hall at 3.30pm on Tuesday 17^th September.

There will be a $50 voucher for 1^st place, and a medal for 2^nd and 3^rd place.

The 1^st place winner will represent their school at the finals against other schools. The finals will be held at Stockland in October. The prize for the finals held at Stockland will be a $500 Stockland gift voucher. There will also be a prize for 2^nd and 3^rd place.

Entertainer of the year rules

1. Performance is not to go over 3 minutes.
2. Entrant can only perform 1 song.
3. Entrant can perform only once throughout the competition and can only use one instrument.
4. Backing CD is okay if supplied by entrant.
5. Performer is to supply own music and equipment if needed.
6. All parts of the entry form are to be filled out.

All entry forms must be completed and returned to the school office or Mrs Laing on or before Friday 30^th August.

Once again, one of the P and F fundraisers is the 2019/20 Entertainment Book. This year, no hard copies will be sent home. Families are asked to use the following link to purchase a digital or hard copy of the Book. Books can still be collected from the school after you have purchased them online. The P and F thank everyone in advance for supporting this fundraiser.

Go to https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/27151x3

One of our 50 Years projects will be to place memorial pavers towards the entrance of the school. Order forms are attached to the newsletter or available from the office.

Last Thursday some of our students from the Mini Vinnies group went to Brooklea.  It's always nice to visit our friends at Brooklea and share our time with them.  They make us feel so welcome and we can't wait until the next time.

We are open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8am at Tuckshop.

Your support with donations of spreads (not nut based) would be appreciated.  Donations can be dropped off at Tuckshop.

Spring 2019 School Holiday Guide

 My Dad & Me: Bear Hunt

Townsville Dads and their kids(toddlers to teens) are invited to attend our “Teddy Bear Adventure”. We will go on a bear hunt in search of the DCO bear, create tiny teddy racers and have a picnic with tasty honey joys.

There will be lots to keep families busy. Please remember to bring your hat, sunscreen, water bottle and of course, your favourite teddy bear. Grandads are welcome but this is strictly a “mum free” zone. 

Where: Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks

When: Saturday 28 September from 9.30 – 11.00am

Click here to RSVP

Have you signed up for these great events at Geckos?

School Holiday FUN Geckos will be running a number of fantastic sessions during the school holidays. To find out what’s on, visit their Facebook page. These activities are always popular and book out quickly so register early to secure your spot.

Geckos has a jam packed program of activities for everyone from single members to families. If you haven’t visited the Centre lately, head down and check out the great work happening there. From Boot Camps to Date Nights, there are some fantastic events planned. So you don’t miss out on any of their upcoming events.

Holy Spirit Catholic School uses Flexischools ordering system.  To register, login or to place orders, please click this link:  

Flexischools

** The new price list has been sent home or you can click HERE!

Natalie Arnel

(School Psychologist)

narnel4@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

All uniform supplies are available at The School Locker, Domain Central (close to Bunnings).

Phone 1800 826 155

The School Locker

Uniform days for students:

Monday and Wednesday - Formal uniform
Tuesday and Thursday - Sports uniform
Friday - own choice
Senior shirts may be worn on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Parents, it is essential that you advise the office if your child is going to be absent. This can be done by emailing absent@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au or via the skoolbag app.