Tuesday 2 April is World Autism Understanding Day and the students are invited to wear something blue on this day, this can be mufti. Please ensure students wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Students will be engaged in activites throughout the day and will also have the oppportunity to visit Amaroo classrooms.

Mrs Catherine Hailstone 

BISHOP BRIAN’S PASTORAL MESSAGE FOR EASTER

Jesus is risen! Alleluia! He rose, just as he said he would, and has won for us the gift of eternal life. Pope Francis reminds us in his Lenten message: “Through the desert God leads us to freedom.” If the invitation of Good Friday is to follow Jesus to the cross—where sin was defeated—then the call of Easter Sunday is the sound of freedom, proclaimed to all people, at all times, and in all places. This is the song sung over the world by our loving God: “So

if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” So let us hesitate no longer. Let us step out of the tomb of sorrow and despair into the light of hope and freedom, knowing that, “Whatever faces us there, whatever storms … Jesus is with us.” Therefore, let us make our lives a song of joy, peace, kindness, and above all else, love. I urge you to live your life as if it matters to God ... because it does. Every blessing for this Easter season. I pray that we all

find the fullness of life promised to us in Jesus.

Easter Triduum

Why do we have so many ceremonies over easter? 

The Easter Triduum refers to the three days in the church’s calendar which express the central mystery of our Christian faith. It begins on Holy Thursday as we focus on Jesus’ farewell words and deeds of the Last Supper. Good Friday is when we ponder the events of his suffering and death. It finishes with the Easter Vigil when we celebrate the liberation of humankind through Christ’s resurrection. This three stage sequence allows us to Take in the enormous mystery in small parts and to relate it to our own lives- the sorrows, joys, successes and failures. Of all the celebrations throughout the year, the Easter Tridduum is considered the most high point.

This year our school focus is: Good Friday. At our Easter Liturgy on Monday, students remembered and reflected upon the fourteen stations of the cross and how we can reflect upon personal connection with a focus on:

Look at Your Heart 

Has anyone ever said mean or hurtful things about you, or has anyone ever told a lie about you? If someone did that to you, look at your heart and see how you felt. Maybe you were scared, or hurt, or maybe you felt very angry. 

When you see how you felt, show your heart to Jesus. See Jesus loving you when you show him what happens in your heart. Then, when you are ready, you can ask Jesus to help him make your heart more like his. Maybe you want to ask Jesus to help you to remember that God is always with you.

Year 6 Commitment Mass for Confirmation- 2024

Our Year 6 Confirmation Candidates for 2024 were officially welcomed by the Lumen Christi Parish on Palm Sunday. Congratulations and blessings to our students as they begin their journey for the third sacrament of initiation, the Sacrament of Confirmation. We also enjoyed a lovely morning tea afterwards.

Caring for Our Common Home

A Call to Action! 

Primary Student WEN Day (Wollongong Environmental Network)

On Wednesday 20 March, Stage 3 students Eric, Freya, Patti and Sofia attended the Primary WEN day at St Paul’s, Albion Park. 

Eco activity - “No-sew T Shirt Bag”

The day was a chance to connect with other students who share a passion for the environment while sharing wonderful initiatives from Catholic schools across our diocese. 

This day is an avenue for students to build capacity to be leaders of ecological actions at Good Samaritan. 

The GSFM team is keen to share ideas in the future to support sustainability at GSFM. 

Pip Kiernan (daughter of Ian Kiernan - founder of Clean Up Australia Day) was the guest speaker for the WEN Day.

Special thanks to our P & F who have supported the Pope’s call to “Care For Our Common Home” (Laudato Si), by removing cellophane in this year’s baskets. Our planet thanks you also.

DATES FOR SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS:

PARISH CONTACT DETAILS:

General enquiries

Lumen Christi Catholic Parish, Wollongong 

Diocese of Wollongong 

PO Box 874 (36 Harbour Street)

Wollongong NSW 2500 Australia

Ph: (02) 42 110500

Email: wollongong@dow.org.au

Web: www.lumenchristi.org.au

Office hours: Monday to Friday (9:00am–1:00pm)

Click here to view the Parish Mass Times

GSFM Cross Country

Last week GSFM gathered at the Kembla Joggers Cross Country course for our cross country carnival. It was a fantastic day with all of our students putting in their best efforts in the competitive and non-competitive events. Congratulations to you all on your efforts, we are very proud of you. 

Special thanks to all the parent volunteers for their support during the day. We really could not hold these events without you. A big thank you to Kembla Joggers, especially Noel and David for setting up the course and being on hand throughout the day for additional help. We greatly appreciate the support. 

Cross Country Results

Winning house:

1st Vianney Red

2nd Ingham Gold 

3rd Xavier Blue 

4th Mackillop Green 

Congratulations to the first three students from our primary competitive races above who have been selected for the Good Samaritan Cross Country team to compete at the Diocesan Carnival in Nowra on Tuesday May 7. 

Age champion medals and sport representative caps will be handed out at assembly on Friday April 5 at 2:10pm. 

Congratulations to our Week 8 Recipients:

Winning House Cup Week 10 

Students in Xavier house are invited to wear a BLUE top with sports shorts and crazy socks on Friday 5 April.

News from P & F 

Upcoming key dates:

Mothers Day Breakfast - Friday May 10th 

Pie Drive - Friday June 21st

Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:

Week 9

28 March – Staff Spirituality Day – Pupil Free Day

29 March – GOOD FRIDAY

Week 10

31 March – EASTER SUNDAY

1 April – EASTER MONDAY

2 April – Year 6 Mass 9:30am

2 April - Austim Awareness Day - All Students to wear Blue

5 April – Assembly

5 April - Winning House cup Xavier all students in Xavier house  Blue

Week 11

9 April – Year 6 Mass 9:30am

12 April – GSFM Award Liturgy 9:15am (LAST DAY TERM 1)