Last week we gathered with some of the Dads and Grandparents in our school community to celebrate the gift that is fatherhood. We shared the story of the Parable of the Forgiving Father who demonstrated an abundance of love and compassion. In acting out the role of the Forgiving Father, Mr Monti helped us to understand that fatherhood brings challenges and joys (and a touch of good humour always helps!) Thanks also to Luke Read and Lev Makaev who also shared with us some of their experiences of fatherhood. We offer this prayer for all the fathers and father figures in our world.
Thank you God for fathers and father figures in our world and for the many ways that they support and inspire us.
Bless them and give them great peace and joy.
Show them how much they are loved and appreciated.
Guide their steps so that their decisions become blessings that bring love and care to others,
We make this prayer through Jesus who is our model of love,
Amen
Mercy Day
This year we celebrate 140 years since the Sisters of Mercy arrived in South Australia. St Raphael’s School was one of the first schools they established, and Mercy sisters had a presence in our school until the 1980s. We are now responsible for living out the Mercy tradition as promoted by Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Mercy Sisters. As we prepare for Mercy Day celebrations, we will be learning about how the spirit of mercy is lived out in a variety of communities that Mercy sisters support through their programmes in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. The Year 6 students as part of their Religious Education learning for this term will be preparing activities for all the students to participate in on the last Friday of term 25 September. We will not be asking for monetary donations on this day because the proceeds from Show Your True Colours Day will be donated to Mercy Works. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.
Blessings,
Sue Coghlan
APRIM (Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission)
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