St Monica’s Primary School - Evatt eNewsletter

Dear St Monica's families and friends,

This week is Sabbath Week and although a number of us feel as though the busyness of life hasn’t slowed down, I do hope some pockets of rest have been found. Pope Leo, in his public audience address on 22 July, encouraged people to embrace the summer season as a time to deepen their relationship with God through silence, reflection, and time spent with others. Whilst this address was delivered to those experiencing summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is not too dissimilar for us as we enter the Spring season here in Canberra.

In Pope Leo’s words: "Summer can be a providential time to experience the beauty and importance of our relationship with God and how much it can help us to be more open and welcoming to others." He reflected on the example of Martha and Mary in the Gospel of Luke of how service and listening can be twin dimensions of hospitality. " We should set aside moments of silence, moments of prayer, times in which, quieting noise and distractions, we recollect ourselves before God in simplicity of heart."

This is what Sabbath week is about, it is a time to “make room for silence” and to step back from the “whirlwind of commitments and worries” that often crowd out opportunities for peace and prayer. Pope Leo urges Christians to seek a wise balance between “contemplation and action, rest and hard work, silence and the bustle of our daily lives,” guided always by the Lord, taking “Jesus’ charity as our measure, his word as our light, and his grace as our source of strength, which sustains us beyond our own capacity.”

Confirmation Retreat – Thank you Fr Mick, Melanie Stratford, Emily O’Rourke (REC Kaleen) Katie Brasnett, Melinda Brown and Hamish Meagher for their careful preparation of this faith experience for our students today. The students, with the support of their teachers and parishioners, will explore the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and their own personal gifts and charisms. Following the discovery of their charisms, students will be invited to think about how they can use their gifts in practical ways and incorporate them into their interactions with others. I know the Holy Spirit is present with them, guiding and empowering them every step of the way. A special visit from Archbishop Christopher Prowse will also be a key part of the day.

Kindergarten Playground / Naturescape Update – I am very pleased to announce that our Naturescape project will begin next Friday 12 September. We are building a pergola and shade structure that will allow more natural light into the classrooms, as well as offering warmth of the sun in winter. Following the construction of the pergola, works will begin on the Naturescape / playground component of the project. It is anticipated this will take 4 months to complete, ready for the first day of school in 2026. These works will affect the drop-off and pick-up areas of students in the Kindergarten courtyard. Communication about these changes will be sent out via Compass today. This is very exciting news for our school, a project that has been planned since 2018 is finally coming to fruition!

Edmund Rice Foundation Schools visit – On Monday, we hosted 12 school leaders from Queensland EREA schools to see the incredible teaching and learning that is happening in our classrooms. We are so very proud to showcase the amazing learning that happens in our school and this was the feedback we received from our visitors:

Dear Lisa & Maggie,

Thank you for your time, hospitality and the sharing of your wisdom with us today. We were blown away by the gesturing, signalling, quick transitions, teacher pace, script fidelity and checks for understanding we saw in your classrooms. The level of student engagement and the obvious learning that is occurring, as a result of your teachers’ attentional control, was occurring in every one of the classrooms we visited. Congratulations!!! We know that NONE of that happens without clear leadership and intentional support of your staff. We benefitted greatly from your presentation, which will assist us with information as we ponder next steps for our schools.

School Leaders from EREA schools in Queensland

Happy Birthday to the following students celebrating their birthday throughout the month of September

Harper E, Robin C, Kaolin B, Lyndon H, Leo H, Sadie H, Angus M, Ronan G, Jack S, Wesley S, Jack R, Priya F-J, James B, Hugo E, Harry V, Henry D, Elsie F, Benji A, Jackson C, Eleanor M, Lucas M, Lola B, Zara P, Jaxon R, Josephine F, Meika P, Claire Q, Archie S, Nikolai D, Bailey S, Max G, Ante B, Alessia A, Neili J

Religious Life of St Monica’s

Sabbath Week

Sabbath week is about clearing our schedule and creating space for renewal. Sabbath Week is a good time to develop a rhythm in our spiritual lives. The evening is a good time for reflection while the morning is a good time for re-entry into the spiritual life.

At the end of the day those in need of healing are brought to Jesus: Why not offer to Jesus – in your prayer – the people you have encountered today? He alone can heal them.

Jesus awakes and finds a lonely place: As each day begins find a lonely place to be alone with God.

How will you make space for God this week?

Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint for the Digital Age

At our school we love sharing stories of faith that inspire us to live more like Jesus. One such story is that of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young boy from Italy who reminds us that holiness is possible—even in our modern world. Blessed Carlo Acutis, a teenager known for his deep love of the Eucharist and his creative use of technology to share the Catholic faith, will be canonised as a saint on 7 September 2025.

Carlo was born in 1991 and raised in Milan. From a young age he showed a remarkable devotion to Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. He attended daily Mass, prayed the Rosary, and was known for his kindness and compassion. Carlo also had a passion for computers and used his skills to create a website documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world—bringing faith and technology together in a powerful way.

Carlo died of leukemia at just 15 years old, but his legacy continues to inspire young people across the globe. He was beatified in 2020, and now, just 19 years after his death, he will become the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church.

His canonisation will take place in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, alongside Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, another young Italian known for his love of the poor and joyful faith. The ceremony will be led by Pope Leo XIV and is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims from around the world.

Carlo once said, “People who place themselves before the sun get a tan; people who place themselves before the Eucharist become saints.” His life reminds us that holiness is not just for adults or for the past—it’s for all of us, right now.

Let us pray that Carlo’s example will inspire our students, particularly our Year 6 students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to live with faith, kindness, and courage in their everyday lives.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Today our Year 6 students participated in a retreat to deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our St Monica’s students were joined by Year 6 students from St Michael’s and students from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. They were guided by Father Mick and teachers from both schools through a range of experiences to deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit and their own unique gifts.

We were blessed with a visit by Archbishop Christopher Prowse who came to meet the children and share about his relationship with Jesus with them.

This evening those students making the Sacrament will gather for the second parent and child formation session at 6.00pm in St Monica’s church. Please continue to keep these children in your prayers -

Sophie A, Donato A, Harriett B, Lola B, Lucas C, Lucas C, Zara C, Mitchell C, Phoebe D, Eliana D, Joseph F, Milla F, Elsie F, Edward F, Luci G, Saskia H, Isabella H, Andreas K, Ana L, Niko M, Ruby M, Maddie N-H, Lachlan P, Nellie R, Beau R, Jack R, Joshua R, Imogen S, Maxwell S, Aya T and Ryan W.

Opening Our Hearts to the Holy Spirit

Term 3 Liturgical Life of St Monica’s Primary School
	Whole School Prayer	Masses
Week 8	Whole School Prayer Focus: Come Holy Spirit Engagement with the Environment - Friday 9.10am Led by: 1M	Buddy Mass Wednesday 9.30am: Year 4, and Year 3
Week 9
Week 10

2025 Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and will be in Years 4-6 in 2025.

Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated this term.

The dates for the Sacrament are 16-18 September and will be celebrated at St Michael’s and St Monica’s churches. You will only have to attend on one of these days.

For further Information – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or check the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

Changes are inevitable and everyone is affected by change and loss at some time in our lives.

Grief is the natural emotional response to the loss of someone close, such as a family member or friend. Grief is usually described in relation to the death of a loved one, but other types of major loss can also lead to feelings of grief. The more significant a loss, the more intense grief may be.

People may feel grief over:

the death of a loved one
divorce or separation
the loss of a beloved pet
giving up something that mattered
work or school changes — for example, retirement or retrenchment, or moving schools
the diagnosis of a terminal illness
the loss of good health because of an illness, accident or disability
moving away or separation from family or friends

Grief is a process or journey that affects everyone differently and has no set pattern. It is expressed differently across different cultures. Grief often involves intense sadness, and sometimes feelings of shock and numbness, or even denial and anger. For most people, the intensity of grief eases over time and the episode of grief becomes less frequent.

Kids Grieve Differently

After losing a loved one a child may go from crying one minute to playing the next. Their changeable moods do not mean that they aren’t sad or that they’ve finished grieving; children cope differently, and playing can be a defence mechanism to prevent a child from becoming overwhelmed. It is also normal to feel depressed, guilty, anxious, or angry at the person who has died or at someone else entirely.

Very young children may regress and start wetting the bed again or slip back into baby talk.

Supporting Children Navigate Their Grief

Listen and talk with them. Children need time and to feel safe to express how they are feeling. Be patient, open, honest and consistent with your responses. The loss can be significant for your child when it does not seem so for you. Reassure them that grief is normal, and it is okay to be upset about what has happened. If your child struggles to express their emotions through words, reading books, drawing, making a memory book or photo albums may help.

Provide safety and security. Significant loss can threaten a child’s sense of safety and control. It is vital that the child’s physical and emotional needs are met to support them in adapting to the loss. Children find great comfort in routines. Try to maintain routines and firm, but fair boundaries as much as possible as it is also important for your child to understand that life does go on.

Be direct and developmentally appropriate. Very young children often don’t realize that death is permanent, and they may think that a dead loved one will come back if they are “good”. Older, school-age children understand the permanence of death, but they may still have many questions. Ask what your child knows about death or the change and do your best to answer their questions honestly and clearly. It’s okay if you can’t answer everything; being available to your child is what matters.

When discussing death, never use euphemisms such as “went to sleep”. Clear and direct explanation (e.g. “Grandma has died, and she will never return”) can help them develop healthy coping skills that they will need in the future. The idea of an afterlife can be helpful to a grieving child. Depending on your religious belief you may like to share the concept that a person continues to live on in the hearts and minds of others.

Keep your emotions in check. Reacting explosively or uncontrollably teaches your child unhealthy ways of dealing with grief. Learn to identify and process your emotions in a healthy way such as talking to someone or hugs, so that your child can learn that expressing emotions is ok, and emotions are not scary.

Hawker_Repair_Cafe_Flyer_September_2025 _pdf 207.40 KB