This is our last newsletter for Term 1. Catholics around the world celebrated Palm Sunday last weekend.  Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week and is an occasion to recognise Jesus as King of the Jews. But it is also the beginning of one of the saddest true stories of all time. 

Following Jesus’ triumphant arrival into Jerusalem, he gathered the Apostles together on the evening of Holy Thursday and shared the “Last Supper” with them. At this stage, Jesus was aware that he is soon to be ridiculed, taunted and hung on a cross to die. At this “Last Supper” he actually led the apostles in the first mass where he used the symbols of bread and wine to signify his own body and blood. Every mass that occurs around the world has a Priest present to lead the gathered people to remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. 

On Good Friday, we have a clear reminder that God loved us so much that he allowed his son Jesus to die on the cross so that we all could be saved. On Easter Sunday the Catholic Church celebrates the risen Jesus. Amidst the arrival of Easter eggs and chocolate, we celebrate the commencement of our new lives. For our first Pope, St Peter and the apostles, Easter Sunday was the beginning of their journey in establishing a church of followers, to be known centuries later as the Roman Catholic church. 

Please feel welcome to attend any of these important celebrations in the Church during Holy week and Easter. The school hall will continue to be the mass setting for all Easter liturgies. A schedule of the liturgies is in the newsletter. 

This week all students have been scheduled to visit the hall to pray the ‘Stations of the Cross’.  Thank you to Mrs Mathieson and Mrs Longford for arranging the ‘Stations of the Cross’ in the hall. 

The first day for Term 2 is Monday 19 April 2021. It is NOT a staff development day and we look forward to seeing all students. At this stage, our Covid19 procedures will continue for morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. 

On Monday 26 April 2021 our school will commemorate ANZAC day with a service in the school playground. Parents will be able to attend, following the social distancing rules. Thank you to our new Defence Mentor, Mrs Natalie Hayes, who is also one of our parents. The service will commence at 9.15am. 

As we conclude the term, I would like to thank all of our staff at St Michael’s Nowra for their amazing commitment to our students. Education during these ‘Covid19’ times continues to be a challenge and our staff has supported students and families with conviction and purpose. Have a well earned holiday everyone.