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The Road to Emmaus allows us to realise that the disciples also displayed many of the same feelings that COVID-19 is evoking in us. They felt the road was full of twists, turns and uncertainties. A road that we as a community, state, nation and globally currently find ourselves travelling. Like the disciples we need to keep walking.
After travelling along the road where Jesus has listened to the disciples and their story, he begins to help them gain access through the Scriptures – the story of God’s relationship with us, and they begin to hear the Word in a new way – to understand a bit more about how God works in the world. He breaks open the Scriptures and gives them hope. “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)
He retells all of what had transpired in the scriptures and is able to open their eyes to the fact that what had happened was all part of God’s plan. The disciples felt disillusioned with Jesus, he hadn’t delivered all that they had dreamed. But the resurrection helps them realise that their hopes were not misguided; they were right to trust and hope in Jesus and that through His death, His job was done. “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:27)
The disciples just needed someone to help them make the connections with the scriptures. Just like the disciples we don’t always make the connections ourselves, we don’t necessarily see the ordinary in the extraordinary or get to the light bulb moment. This is where discipleship comes in, we have others/companions to assist us to get to this point where we gain access and are able to make meaning of what has occurred. There has never been a more pressing time than now to stay on the road and ‘gain access’ to what can help give us strength and courage in these trying times.
Reflection Questions:
Who are the companions on your journey?
How do we continue to trust in these uncertain and challenging times?
As you delve into scripture at this time, what are you gaining access to - what insight unfolds?
Who are the wisdom figures you call on to help interpret the events in your life?
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
REMOTE LEARNING
Remote online learning will continue until at least Friday 30 July 2021. I thank the teachers and parents for the support you are giving the students during this difficult time. We truly have appreciated your positivity, enthusiasm and ‘can do’ attitude. As a Principal, I am very proud of the way both parents and staff are meeting the needs of the students, facing obstacles as a united team, and trouble shooting to improve processes along the way.
We have received some great feedback, and this week, teachers have been making calls to check in with students.
The Public Health Orders are clear when they say schools remain open for students of essential workers, those who have no other option. We are strongly urged by Catholic Schools NSW and CEDoW to only have the absolute minimum required staff on site to meet the immediate needs of the school. If you are at home, you are being asked by the Government and Health officials to have your children at home with you.
Thank you for your support in this.
ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN THE COMMUNITY
Some of the St Brigid's families are essential and emergency workers in the community. We thank these families for the work they are doing during this period of lock-down.
Parents who are essential workers are required to register their child/ren for attendance at school each day using the google form sent out on COMPASS. It is absolutely crucial that registration occurs in the 10 hour time frame (9:00am-7:00pm). At 7:00pm each evening, staffing decisions are made for the following day based on student numbers and our supervision obligations. Please do not phone or email after 7:00pm to register. If your circumstances change after you have registered your child/ren and they will be able to learn from home, please communicate this via email or phone message.
You are required to have your child at school between 8:40am-8:50am. If you arrive after this time, you and your child must wait in the car and phone the office. A member of staff will come out to walk your child safely into school as the office door and gates are locked at 8:50am.
COVID-19 UPDATE
At a press conference today, the NSW Premier announced that the Government would provide a roadmap out of lockdown conditions for NSW next week. As soon as we receive updated advice about the COVID-19 directives for schools in Week 4 and beyond, we will communicate this to you. Thank you for your patience and support.
WEEKLY REMOTE LEARNING SNAP SHOT
I have been particularly interested in the work that Year 5 have been completing this week. Mrs Arthur-Worsop, Mrs Roche and Mrs Brodnik have shared with me some excellent work and good news stories. Well done Year 5!
Religious Education Reflections
Malachy's response to the visual Scripture passage
Sometimes it can feel like God has forgotten you. The Catholics in the early colony probably felt like this. People sometimes feel gloomy or blue and this leads to trouble in a relationship. If we don’t at least try to talk to someone we feel even more under the weather. Jeremiah tries to help us to see that we have a future of hope and just because in exile now, doesn’t mean you will be there forever.
William's response to the visual Scripture passage
This is an image of Jeremiah in exile. He looks sad while the people in the background look to be ignoring him. The early Catholics in the colony may feel the same as Jeremiah because they were also in exile.
Oliver's response to the visual Scripture passage
Jeremiah is thinking about the people who were taken into exile in the sixth century BC to Babylon- he told them that “the Lord speaks – he has plans for peace and not disaster reserving a future full of hope for you” (29:11)
Grace's response to the visual Scripture passage
I think the man in this image is concerned, anxious, worried and losing hope for his future because he looks as though he is living in exile. The people in the background look like they are trying to keep going.
TERM 3 EVENTS
Please note that all excursions, incursions, gala days and school events are on hold at this point in time.
REMOTE LEARNING TIPS AND TRICKS FOR PARENTS
As we complete two weeks of remote learning we want to thank our parents and carers for their support of their children. Without your presence, guidance and positivity it would be even more difficult for your child to learn from home. We know this can be a very challenging time for many families, with many different circumstances, and we appreciate all that our families are doing, to continue the learning from home. Please continue to just do the best you can to support your child/children. We also want to thank our students for engaging in their learning tasks, completing them on time and doing the best they can. We will continue with remote learning for at least another week so some tips and tricks for parents are below:
- Set up a routine that is predictable each day for you and your child, start with a healthy breakfast and gather everything you need to begin learning.
- Remote learning is flexible- your child should spend between 2-3 hours on their remote tasks each day plus plenty of movement/exercise breaks and a break for morning tea and lunch.
- Encourage your child to problem solve and be independent. If you need to help them, be kind to yourself and only do what you can.
- Take some time for prayer and Christian meditation.
- Treat remote learning like a normal school day and encourage your child to complete as many activities as they can and submit them as per the instructions of their teachers.
- Family time is important, so ensure your child turns their screen off by 3:00pm and spends time with their family, relaxing and enjoying time together.
- Make contact with your child's teacher on their seesaw account or Google Classroom account if there are any concerns regarding their learning tasks. Please also make contact with the school for any concerns regarding remote learning in general.
Please have a read of the following document outlining how to manage stress during these challenging times.
HEALTHY HAROLD VISITS ST BRIGID'S POSTPONED UNTIL Term 4
The Life Education Van along with Healthy Harold will be visting our school to teach students about healthy and safe choices next term. Information regarding this visit will be sent out closer to the date. If you have made an online purchase of products already, these will still be provided when the team visits in Term 4.
TALENT SHOW - POSTPONED DATE TBC
We will still be showcasing the amazing talent at St Brigid's this year. I will meet with the wonderful Year 6 Leadership Team once we all return to face to face teaching to discuss a new date and all the details. We will then share this with our school community.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM - HOLY COMMUNION
Year 3 parents would have received an email from Fr Bernard Gordon regarding the postponement of the program and the revised dates.
Eucharist Programme:
- 13th/14th October SJV 6:30 pm Eucharist Parent Meeting (Parent only)
- 20th/21st October SJV 6:30 pm Eucharist Session 1 (Parent and child)
- 27th/28th October SJV 6:30 pm Eucharist Session 2 (Parent and child)
- 3rd/4th November SJV 6:30 pm Eucharist Session 3 (Parent and child)
- 10th/11th November SJV 6:30 pm Eucharist Session 4 (Parent and child)
The dates for the 2021 First Communion Masses are:
- Saturday November 20th 2pm St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, Fairy Meadow
- Saturday November 20th 6pm St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, Fairy Meadow
- Saturday November 27th 2pm St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, Fairy Meadow
- Saturday November 27th 6pm St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, Fairy Meadow
Pope Francis has decided to institute a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Starting this year, it will be held on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
According to historical tradition, Anne and Joachim were the parents of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Neither was mentioned in the New Testament, but first references to them as Jesus’ maternal grandparents appeared in the century following Jesus’ life.
Tradition and popular legend tell us that Anne and Joachim were particularly devoted to their faith, but throughout their long-married life, they were saddened by their inability to have children. To a couple within that culture at that time, infertility often led to ostracism and to their fears about future insecurity as they further aged. However, one day whilst Joachim worked in the fields and Anne was at home, an angel simultaneously appeared to each of them to announce that, despite their considerable age, they would indeed conceive a daughter who would have a particularly vital role in the coming of the promised Messiah! Mary was born and these faithful parents consecrated her to a life of devotion to God, culminating in her becoming the mother of Jesus the Christ.
In Catholic tradition, Anne and Joachim have become the patron saints of grandparenting. Anne has the extra saintly responsibilities associated with childbirth and care, the protector of couples who do not have children, those who experience infertility, and of women during their time of pregnancy and childbirth.
July 26th is the date for the Church to focus on the vital role that grandparents have in the life of the contemporary family because of the faith, love, wisdom, and practical acts of service that they gift to their extended families. Pope Francis commented on the role of grandparents:
Saints Joachim and Anne were part of a long chain of people who had transmitted their faith and love for God, expressed in the warmth and love of family life, down to Mary, who received the Son of God in her womb and who gave him to the world, to us. How precious is the family as the privileged place for transmitting the faith! … How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on the human and religious heritage which is so essential for each and every society! (1)
SOURCE: (2019), “The Love and faith of the Grandparents of Jesus: St Anne and St Joachim”, The Basilica,
REFLECTIONS
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Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time  |
Today we are reminded of God’s providence. We live in a world that feeds us and shelters us and supplies us with everything that we need to grow and to thrive, and all of this comes to us from the hand of God. It is usually when we are in desperate straits that we become painfully conscious of our dependence on God, but this dependence is always there. God does not merely intervene when we are helpless; God's providence operates in our lives at all times. Living in a society that promotes individualism, we sometimes undervalue the communal dimension of life. God certainly cares passionately for each of us (not even a sparrow falls without God knowing it), but God's concern is for the whole people. We are first and foremost members of a people. We would never have seen the light of day, we would not endure or develop, without others. As unique as we may be, we are a unique expression of a communal reality. God created a race; God formed a people; Jesus died for the world. By the grace of God, we belong to the community. As members of the people of God, we are called to a way of life that is noble, not selfish. We are to live with each other in humility and gentleness, with patience. We are to bear with one another in love. Through baptism we all live by the same Spirit of Jesus; we are all united through the bond of God's love. The bread that we receive from the hand of God is the bread of full life, life in all its dimensions, life in Christ. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
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Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time  |
In many ways the Exodus story of the bread from heaven is very similar to last Sunday's accounts. However, the focus today is not divine prodigality shown through the overabundance of food, but total dependence on God. The bread comes from heaven, not merely because the food seems to come down from the sky, but because it comes from God. The restriction about collecting it was meant to emphasise this point. Our survival is in God's hands, not ours. Jesus insists that he is the true bread from heaven; he is the real basis of our survival. The people followed him because they saw him as a source of bread; they did not realise that he is really the source of life. If we fill ourselves with all that the world provides as nourishment we will still hunger. Only faith in Jesus can satisfy our deepest hunger, and we will not be able to survive apart from him. Acceptance of Jesus as the source of our life and the very nourishment of our spirits affects a total transformation in us. We will no longer be content to live with full bellies but empty minds. We will put aside our old selves steeped in ignorance and self-interest and put on a new self, created in his image. Having fed on the bread from heaven, we will be mysteriously transformed into it. The spirit of our minds will be renewed by his teaching. As a result, we will be able to launch out into a way of living that witnesses our new understanding, our new life. © Dianne Bergant CSA
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Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards.
Week 1 - Term 3
| CLASS | LEARNING AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK | |
| Kindergarten | Maggie M | Hurley M | |
| Year 1 | Jude C | Hannah J | |
| Year 2 | Alice M | Sachi B | |
| Year 3 | Sarah M | Harley S | |
| Year 4 | Matthew C | Miles W | |
| Year 5 | Raen G | Cash S | |
| Year 6 | Chris H | Olivia H | |
Happy Birthday to the following students.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kinder | Year 4 | Year 6 |
| Sofia M | Shennah L | Chris H |
| Nahla O | Natalia R | |
| Lila |
LAWN MOWING ROSTER
| Date | Mower 1 | Mower 2 |
| 8 August 2021 | Max M | David H |
| 12 September 2021 | Anthony P | Matt D |
| 10 October 2021 | Thomas M | Adam T |
We are still looking for a few more volunteers. If you can help please contact John Harman on 0419 993 133 or dabeers@bigpond.com
SAVE THE DATE - P&F EVENTS
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DATE |
EVENT |
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6 August 2021 |
Cocktail Dinner Party - Postponed |
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3 Sept 2021 |
Father’s Day BBQ breakfast - TBC |
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3 Sept 2021 |
Father’s Day stall- TBC |
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6 Nov 2021 |
Working Bee and BBQ Lunch 10:30am – 12:00 |
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2 Dec 2021 |
Christmas Concert and family picnic |
St Brigid’s Gwynneville
PARISH WEBSITE
DIOCESAN WEBSITE
Please visit the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong website for further information.