Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students
May is a season of change. We can certainly feel the weather has turned as we enjoy these fresher mornings. May is also a special month in our Church. It is a month of dedication to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It is most fitting that May should be the month in which we celebrate the special gifts of our own Mothers on Mother’ Day. Our dedication to Mary commenced this week with a procession of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the school gates to the Sacred Space in the Library. The Parish Legion of Mary have loaned us the statue for the week and have gifted all the students with Rosary Beads. The students prayed Mary’s special prayer, the Rosary, as they processed and gathered in the Library. It was a lovely way for us to honour Mary.
The role of motherhood should be honoured every day, not just on Mother’s Day. Parenting is the most important of all vocations. God entrust us, as parents, with the rearing of these special children who he loves so much. On Mother’s Day we celebrate the gift of Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts and special female friends who nurture our children. There are no job descriptions for Mothers, and yet, Mothers seem to know instinctively what they need to do to raise and care for their children. Thank you to all our Matthew Gibney Mothers and Grandmothers for your valuable nurturing, instructing your children as they grow and helping them to reach their full potential. Thank you for your tenderness of heart, and for your toughness when necessary. It makes no difference if we are aged 10, 20 or 50 – there is nothing quite as comforting as having our mother’s arm wrapped around us when we are sad, lonely, or afraid.
On Mother’s Day I encourage our Mums to:
A Prayer for Mothers
Where would we be without our mother’s love? Lord,
bless our mothers with wisdom to teach and guide their
children in a way that will help them to follow You and
to become men and women who will be pleasing in Your sight.
Give all mothers the patience to deal with the difficulties
of their job and, most of all, give them a special blessing as
they care so lovingly for the gifts that You have allowed them the honour of raising.
Amen.
It is wonderful that we can gather together on Friday morning, with the parishioners at St Francis of Assisi, for our Mother’s Day Mass and morning tea. Sincerest thanks to the staff and parents who organised the morning’s events.
Thank you for your patience with the change of procedures, announced at late notice, earlier this week. I appreciate the support of our families in assisting us to put the various COVID-19 requirements in place. Most of all, thank you for keeping your children home when they are sick.
Let us all keep our fingers crossed that we will be back to no mask wearing and having parent helpers in the classrooms as soon as possible.
Next week is a busy one! We have NAPLAN Assessments for Years 3 and 5, the First Eucharist parents and child workshop and the first assembly for the term. Please keep an eye on upcoming dates advertised in this newsletter.
Best wishes to all our Mothers and Grandmothers for a very happy Mother’s Day filled with the love and joy of their families.
Warm regards
Therese Hussey
Principal