In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus cures a leper.  In Biblical times, lepers lived in a miserable state, left to fend for themselves outside towns and villages, feared and segregated from others.  It was against the law to associate with them.  Jesus is moved to compassion for the leper and he reaches out his hand to him in love and compassion.  At Holy Spirit, we encourage our students to live the values of compassion and care for others in their daily interactions; cooperating, being fair and respectful and caring for each other so everyone stays safe in all their games and activities.

This week at Holy Spirit Catholic School, we value respect.  Having respect for someone means you think good things about who a person is or how he or she acts.  Respect also means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they are different from you or you don’t agree with them.  We often use the value of respect in schools when we are speaking with children and how they treat others.  We reinforce that showing respect to someone means they act in a way that shows they care about their feelings and well-being.  This week we pray that our students show respect for others by thinking and acting in a way that shows others they care about their feelings and their well-being, not calling others names, treating each other with courtesy and caring about themselves. 

In this week’s newsletter, families will find information in relation to the  Holy Spirit Parish Sacramental Programme.  The Sacramental Programme is open to all students in Grade 4, 5 and 6.  If you are intending your child/ren to participate in this year’s programme, please download the necessary forms and return to the Parish Office.  If you are having any problems with downloading the forms, please call the school.  Alternatively, enrolment forms are available at the Holy Spirit Parish Office.  Registration is open until 26th February. 

Next Tuesday, 16th February, is Shrove Tuesday.  In ancient times, this was a day of celebration, when there were processions and people feasted together before they entered a time of fasting and prayer during Lent.  Today, many still follow this tradition by eating pancakes.  This is associated with the ancient custom of eating the last supplies of milk, flour and eggs before the beginning of Lent.  This year the Caritas Project Compassion Appeal Launch which will be taking place at St Catherine’s Catholic College, Proserpine.

Lent also begins next week with Ash Wednesday on the 17th February.  Our Grade 4 to 6 students will be attending Mass in the Church with Fr John at 9am and our P-3 students will have a Liturgy in the Lynch Family Hall at 8:40am.  

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal.  Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.  This year’s theme is “Be More”.  Over the coming weeks, a feature story from the Caritas Australia website will be shared.  We encourage our families to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion.  Each family will receive a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes for their donations or you can donate online via their website at https://lent.caritas.org.au  

God bless.

Caroline Fuller