PARISH COMMUNITY AND OUTREACH
Parish News
We welcome Fr Mike to his new role as Parish Priest of Kingston-Channel Parish and chaplain of St Aloysius Catholic College. Fr Mike has already had a busy start to the year blessing the College staff on their first day back at work, celebrating Mass at the SACC Staff Spirituality Day on Thursday, 28th January and welcoming our new students at church inductions on the Junior and Middle Campus.
Fr Chris has settled in well to his new unit at St Canice’s in Sandy Bay and, even though his feet are still giving him trouble, he is making the most of retirement and managing to get out and about when he can for coffees and catch ups!
A reminder that the Kingston Channel Parish Website is available to all with the latest Parish Bulletin, news from the parish, Youth Group updates and links to Fr Mike’s homily Podcast and Youtube Channel.
Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent
Next week sees the start of Lent, the preparation time before celebrating the mystery of Easter. First, we have Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday traditionally held to rid the house of all the tempting, yummy goodies followed by Ash Wednesday, a day of repentance which marks the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head symbolising the dust from which God made us.
Lent is seen as a time of solemn observance and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. From its start on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent is a traditional time for fasting and abstinence (giving something up), prayer, and giving to charity. Just as we carefully prepare for events in our personal lives, as a wedding, or birthday; Lent invites us to make our minds and hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
An Ash Wednesday liturgy will be held for Grade 1 to 4 students in the Church of Christ the Priest with ashes being distributed to the Kinder and Prep students in their classrooms. Grade 5-10 students at the Middle Campus will receive their ashes in short liturgies after lunch. See the next newsletter for more information and photographs!
Below are some great online resources for you and your family.
* 40 Acts: 40acts is a community of over 100,000 people across the globe who have decided to do Lent differently. For 10 years they have asked the question: “what if Lent could be about more than just giving stuff up?”. 40 days, 40 challenges, 40 ways to make a difference. Check out https://40acts.org.uk/
* Living Lent Daily by Loyola Press: This resource also sends out a daily reflection via email. The reflections are based on Ignatian Spirituality. You can subscribe here: https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/lent/living-lent-daily
*Ash Wednesday & Lent in Two Minutes – Busted Halo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3L3c23MfC0 . This is a fabulous quick video explaining the what and why of Ash Wednesday and Lent, from the history of wearing ashes dating back to the Old Testament, to the practices of Catholics and Christians during Lent (from the editors at BustedHalo.com)
Parish Associates
We welcome Daniel Prichard to the College as a new Parish Associate and congratulate Hannah Donovan in her successful application to continue the role in 2021. Hannah and Daniel will play an important role in promoting the faith life of the college through assistance with masses and liturgies, outreach programs and the College-Parish Youth Group. We welcome their enthusiasm and bubbly personalities and look forward to seeing them out and about on both campuses. Best of luck to 2020 Parish Associate Robert Elkerton who is continuing his university studies in Melbourne this year.
Hi my name is Dan and I am the new Parish Associate for St Aloysius this year. Having graduated from St Aloysius in 2014, I am beyond excited to be returning to join Hannah, Mrs Marriott and the team in their fantastic work in the school and Parish. I think this year holds a great deal of potential and I cannot wait to work closely with students and collaborate in the strengthening of our already vibrant College and Parish community.
Hi my name is Hannah, I was one of the Parish Associates at the college last year and have been lucky enough to continue in the role in 2021. I’m currently studying a combined Law and Arts degree at UTAS. I’m looking forward to getting to know and working with even more members of the Parish and College community.
Kingston-Channel Parish Youth Group
Kingston-Channel Parish Youth Group is back up and running for 2021!
Youth Group is open to students from Grade 5 and above from any school or college. We meet on Wednesdays 4:00pm-5:30pm during term time in the Sisters of Charity Centre (St Aloysius School Hall) next to The Church of Christ the Priest in Kingston. Youth Group starts on Wednesday 17th February with a Lenten Kahoots Quiz, and games. This term we will be working towards a Youth Group production of ‘The Stations of the Cross’ to be performed to the Parish on Good Friday (2nd April).
Vinnies
Middle Campus students had their first Vinnies/Mini-Vinnies meeting this week. These will continue on Wednesdays at lunchtime in the Chapel Office with Mrs Marriott, Hannah and Daniel. All students from any year group are welcome to attend. Lots of ideas have been shared for raising money, awareness and support for those in need in our community and beyond starting with selling pancakes this Pancake Tuesday 16th February at the Middle Campus in aid of Project Compassion. It's going to be a busy year ahead!
Church Inductions
New students from Grades 1-4 had an induction and behind the scenes sneak peek at the Church of Christ the Priest at the Junior Campus and Grade 5 students at the Middle Campus visited the Chapel and heard the stories of our beautiful custom designed stained glass windows. Fr Mike was on hand for both visits to welcome the students, explain a bit about the Mass and its significance to Catholics and answer any tricky questions!
Masses this term
Weekly Mass celebrations will start with our College Commencement Liturgy on Thursday 25th February. The Junior Campus celebrates Mass on Tuesdays in the Church of Christ the Priest and the Middle Campus on Thursdays in the Middle Campus Chapel.