Opening School Mass

Last Friday we celebrated our Opening School Mass. We welcomed our new students and Mr Makeham, as well as the commissioning of our School Leaders for 2023.

Father Joe celebrated his first school Mass at St Patrick’s and was very impressed with the children’s reverence, participation and singing.

Shrove Tuesday and the Burning of the Palms

Today is Shrove Tuesday, and this morning the children observed the custom of eating pancakes. Pancakes are traditionally associated with Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Lent. In years gone by, the making of pancakes were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of Lent, when we try to go without.

This morning we gathered in the amphitheatre to burn the palms that were blessed last year on Palm Sunday. These palms symbolise those that were waved as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey to prepare for the Passover Feast.

The ashes created from the burning of the palms, will be used during our Ash Wednesday Mass by Father, who will trace the sign of the cross on our foreheads.

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, this the first day of the Christian season of Lent. Lent is a time when we pray, give up things we enjoy, in order to give to others, and do kind things for other people, as we prepare to celebrate the great feast of Easter.

For forty days, we are asked to follow Jesus on his journey to Calvary. The ashes that will be placed on your forehead on Ash Wednesday are a reminder to us of the Lenten promises we will make in our own lives, and to encourage us to give ourselves to others, just as Jesus did for us.

Welcome to Father Joe

Father Joe has quickly settled into his role of Parish Priest of the Tumut Mission. Father has a very bus schedule, fitting in all his commitments.

Father will be in Gundagai on Fridays and Saturday evening for Mass at 6pm. This is a great time to see Father, if you may wish to speak with him in person. He is contactable through the Tumut Parish Office – 69474599 or email gundagai@cg.org.au at all times.

Father Joe would love to meet and get to know our school families. We have arranged to have a morning tea after our St Patrick’s Day Mass. Father would love to see lots of school and parish families there to meet him and share a cup of tea and a delicious morning tea (see below).

St Patrick’s Day Arrangements

Claiming the date: St Patrick’s Day

When: 17^th March  Where: St Patrick’s Church

 Time: 9:30 am

St Patrick’s School and Parish invites you to attend Mass to celebrate the feast of our Patron Saint.

After Mass, please join with our fellow parishioners in the Hall to celebrate with morning tea.

Kate Howe

REC