Term 1 Week 5 - Thursday 23rd February 2023
Notes from the Principal
This week marked Ash Wednesday, and this is, of course, the focus of this Weekly Review. Catholics are reminded on Ash Wednesday to ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel’, and we are invited to continue this self-examination and self-renewal throughout Lent to make ourselves better people. Our fasting and penance, of course, remind us of our goal to be better and to make our worlds better places for the people in them.
As members of the Catherine McAuley community we are often reminded of our values: mercy, excellence, integrity, justice, hospitality and courage, and we are reminded to ‘strive for higher things’. These important values and mission also constantly lead us to self-examination and self-renewal.
This Lenten season, let’s all make a commitment to be better people; together we can make our world a place of peace, love and plenty for all.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from Director of Formation and Mission
Ash Wednesday
As a school community on Wednesday, 22nd February we commenced our Lenten journey at our Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Together, as a united community, we prayed for our needs and especially for the needs of those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Together we received the Ashes, which not only reminds us of our mortality but how we can strive to live a better life.
Sometimes we dwell very heavily on the penitential nature of Lent and forget that Lent is actually a hopeful season in the Church’s liturgical year. As Catholics we believe that Lent is a time that allows us to reset the courses of our lives. If we have made poor decisions, we can strive in the future to make better choices. As a Mercy community, we know that we can make these changes because of God’s Mercy and love. Lent should be viewed as a gift. Over the next forty days, take time to check which pathway you are on. If you feel that you are about to make a wrong turn, do a U-turn, remembering that God is infinitely patient, and is always ready to pick us up.
As we approach the First Week of Lent, it is quite timely to listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel (6:1–6, 16–18) and the Gospel Reflection from the Ash Wednesday Liturgy:
Caritas Australia
This term Catherine McAuley will be again supporting the work of Caritas Australia through Project Compassion. As society is moving towards a preference for not handling and carrying cash, Catherine McAuley Westmead has set up a payment option for donating to Caritas Australia via the QKR! App.
You may select to donate $5 or $10 or an amount of your choice. If you have not previously used the QKR! App, please see this link to get started. Thank you for your continuous support of Caritas Australia. You can read more about the projects which Caritas Australia has prioritised for 2023 in this edition of The Weekly Review and in the upcoming weeks.
House Patrons with the Project Compassion boxes at the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.
Mass for the Victims of the Earthquake in Turkiye and Syria
On the evening of Friday, 17th February Ms Grigson, Mr Hall, Ms Banks and Ms Greenberry were accompanied by Liya, Charlotte, Andrea, Isabella, Adut and Giselle to the Mass for the Victims of the Earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. Many people gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta to join with Fr Chadi Ibrahim and concelebrating priests to pray for the souls of the departed, the survivors, the care providers and rescuers of this dreadful natural disaster. Both Arabic and English were spoken throughout the Mass. In his homily, Fr Matthew Dimian spoke about the importance of hope in this difficult time and that God does not forget God’s people in their times of trials. We continue to especially remember the people of Turkiye and Syria through our prayers.
Genevieve Banks
Director of Formation and Mission
Students and staff who attended the Mass for the Victims of the Earthquake in Turkiye and Syria.
Pray With Us
News Articles
This Week on Social Media
Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. One of the posts from this week is shown below:
A special welcome lunch was held today for all the new Catherine McAuley students from years other than Year 7. Hosted by School Principal Ms Refalo, the students were invited to join Ms Refalo for lunch as a chance to have a chat, meet each other and discuss how the students have been finding things so far. The lunch was a chance for Ms Refalo to hear directly from the students and welcome them again to the school.
The students told Ms Refalo that some of the things they are loving so far are the welcoming and friendly environment, the extra curricular activities, the challenging environment and the respectful students.
Welcome to all new students at Catherine McAuley!
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 1 Week 6
- Academy U Workshops
- STEM Club In-School Activity
- Year 12 French Excursion
Term 1 Week 7
- PDSSSC Swimming Carnival
- School Morning Tours
- Year 12 School Leaders International Women's Day Breakfast
- Year 10 Geography Excursion
- Year 10 History In-School Activity
