WEEK2 - St Martin de Porres School

21st April 2016, TERM 2 WK2
Dear Families
Our Easter thoughts this week turn to theme of “LOVE” - a word that is often used to describe our likes or
wishes rather than the deepness of its true meaning.
Our Gospel reading this week speaks to us of the great
commandment of Jesus to the disciples.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 13:31-35
“I give you a new commandment: love one another”
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
And in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
And will glorify him very soon.
My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment:
Love one another;
Just as I have loved you,
You also must love one another.
By this love you
Have for one another,
Everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.
Everything is new! There is a new law of love, a new heaven and earth that is established in
the church, a new depth of communion there, and a new glory of God that shines forth from its
members.
The new commandment that Jesus announces is more than tolerance or mutual respect. It
requires self-sacrificing love. Perhaps the greatest obstacle to this love is the diversity
discussed last Sunday. It is hard enough to love those who are like us; how can we possibly
love those who are different? And how can we love those who do not love us? It is no wonder
that the commandment is called new. It calls for something completely different.
The new commandment is the law of the new heaven and the new earth that are established in the New
Jerusalem. Standards are entirely different there. The greater ones serve; the meek possess the earth; happy
are the poor; woe to those who laugh. This is clearly a city that comes down from heaven, not one made by
human hands. It is a city that embraces all who come to it. God dwells in the midst of this city, in the heart of
this people. God dwells with them and they dwell with God.
Through this new love, this new heaven and new earth, this new depth of communion, the glory
of God is manifested in a new way. The eschatological future is anticipated in the present. The
age of fulfilment has dawned.
WHERE EVERY CHILD IS KNOWN BY THEIR NAME……………….
ANZAC DAY
Next Monday we celebrate ANZAC DAY - the day in which we remember the great
sacrifice of our servicemen and women in all arenas of war. Please take the time to sit
with your children and read and reflect on the “ODE” and the prayer.
Today we will listen to the Ode of Remembrance and remember in our prayers all
Australian servicemen and women, past and present.
Reader: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. (Pause)
Lest we forget.
All:
Lest we forget.
Leader: We respond by praying a Litany of Remembrance for Australians who served and died in all wars,
conflicts and peacemaking operations.
Reader: In the morning and the evening, we will remember them.
All:
We will remember them.
Reader: In life’s comings and goings,
All:
We will remember them.
Reader: In the tears and the memories,
All:
We will remember them.
Reader: In the stories and the letters,
All:
We will remember them.
Reader: In the photos and the medals,
All:
We will remember them.
Reader: In the laying of wreaths and the praying of prayers,
All:
We will remember them.
Reader: In the silence and the stillness,
All:
We will remember them.
Leader: As a sign of respect, we will stand for one minute of silence. (Pause for one minute.)
A Personal Reflection
Last year I had the privilege of visiting the Gallipoli Peninsula and as
promised I left a small token of appreciation from the St Martin’s
community on the beach at ANZAC Cove. I
prayed for all the soldiers, both ANZACS
and Turks. I prayed that our children may
never have to experience the desolation,
destruction and annihilation of human life
that took place in this area in 1915. I thanked God for the selflessness of our
soldiers and their families.
Today it is a peaceful area but among the beauty of the hills and beaches are the stark
reminders that many desperate battles were fought and precious lives were lost.
Of all the places and monuments I saw the one that touched me deeply was the tribute that
Atatürk (Mustafa Kemal), the Turkish commander and later founder of modern Turkey, paid
to the ANZACS. It ties in with this Sunday’s Gospel and the spirit of ANZAC.
“Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives ... You are now lying in the soil of a
friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the
Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours ... You, the mothers who sent
their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”
WHERE EVERY CHILD IS KNOWN BY THEIR NAME……………….
Traffic Management
Thank you to all our families for your support of our New Traffic Management procedures. After some
misunderstandings, I am pleased with the spirit and attitude that drivers are demonstrating. Like all changes,
sometimes it requires a change of routine and habits. We understand that. However, the goal of all these
changes is to make everything safe for the children and help families in delivering your children to and from
school. Therefore we will persist these changes and continue to monitor them closely.
Further works to be completed are around the fencing to facilitate a new entrance into the school yard for our
walkers from the southern end of the school-Joseph’s Corner.
New Security Arrangements
In response to the feedback from the parent meetings in Term 1, we have also instituted new security
arrangements that will further ensure children’s safety. The Entry Gate to the Learning and Teaching area is
now controlled from the office.
22nd April
Special Assembly in HALL @2:30pm
25th April
ANZAC Day- PUBLIC HOLIDAY
29th
District Cross Country Sports @QOP
this week and wreathes will be laid at each
First Communion MASS @10:00AM
SMDP CHURCH
of the local community ANZAC services. Flight
April
1st May
4th May
SUBWAY DAY
6th May
MOTHER’S DAY Morning Tea @911am
8th May
MOTHER’S DAY
10-12th May
NAPLAN 2016
17th May
PARENT EVENING 7.00-8:30PM
An ANZAC commemoration was conducted
Lieutenant Laine Pearce addressed students
and staff and reflected on the ANZAC
qualities that inspire him in his service to the
nation as a member of the Armed Services.
The commemoration of the sacrifices at
Gallipoli was a powerful experience for
students given they are a similar age to that
of many of the ANZACs.
Fr. Darrell talking to Gr 3/4 about The Eucharist
WHERE EVERY CHILD IS KNOWN BY THEIR NAME……………….
WELCOME TO THE NEW
BOOK CLUB for all ages.
THANK YOU JANELLE
WILSON for your time &
effort, much appreciated.
ORDER DUE BACK BY:
5th MAY 2016
P le as e join us f or M or nin g
T ea as we ce le br ate
M O TH E R ’s DA Y o n F r ida y
6 th M ay f ro m 9-11a m.
L et’s cel ebr ate ou r
M othe r s with f a bul ou s te a
an d q ua lity tim e toge ther .
WHERE EVERY CHILD IS KNOWN BY THEIR NAME……………….