On this day, we recall the story of The Last Supper. We remember Jesus celebrating his final meal with his disciples before he continued on to be crucified on the cross.
Here are two Last Supper Videos reminding us about the story of the Last Supper as we know and believe it to be so in our faith.
The Last Supper for Children
Last Supper Information video
Click here to access more information about Holy Thursday and The Last Supper on the Catholic Online website.
Jesus showed us before this last meal, how to be of service to each other when he washed his disciple's feet. He instituted the Sacrament of Eucharist during this meal.
As we celebrate the events of Holy Thursday in our own bubbles this year, let us remember each other in prayer.
Our world needs prayer.
Let us offer prayers for those in our communities and world who are in need.
Let us ask Jesus into our lives, ask him to lead and we follow in these uncertain times. We can also ask Jesus to help us where we are at this point in time, to be of service to those that we live with in our bubbles today.
"See the protecting…hand of God in all that is happening."
The Stations of the Cross remind us of what Jesus went through as he journeyed towards Golgotha. They are places for us to think about Jesus and what he went through on his journey.
Here are some links to Stations of the Cross that can be used as part of your prayers with your children this week.
Stations for children
Stations for everyone
This is most definitely a year that will go down in history as the year all church buildings closed and the year we had to practise social distancing because of COVID-19.
From our own bubbles, we can still walk The Way of the Cross with our families. Please remember we are all united in prayer. Remember, Jesus' promise in Matthew 18:20. Where there are two or more who are gathered in prayer, he will be present.
"Hosannah to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosannah in the highest heaven."Matthew 21:9
Palm Sunday sees a triumphant return of Jesus to Jerusalem. He entered Jerusalem on a donkey and the people joyfully welcomed him by waving palms.
He was very humble and the people loved him and welcomed him as he returned into the city.
This year, we may not be able to attend mass and participate the Palm Sunday procession we usually have at each of our churches, we can read Matthew 21:1-11 and reflect on the personal meaning of the reading to each and everyone of us. Let us remember the journey that Jesus started on this day so long ago and offer up a prayer of thanks for the love that he had for each and everyone of us, the love that took him on his journey to the cross, during the last week of his life on earth.
Please check out this link for Palm Sunday activities that are easy to do with the children at home. Click on the Catholic Icing Logo to access the website.
You can access daily masses if you follow Bishop Patrick Dunn on Facebook. If not, Youtube has masses shared from catholic parishes around the world.
God bless you all on this day, the beginning of Holy Week in the year 2020.
"Have courage, trust in God, St Joseph and our Blessed Mother, and you need have no fear. "
As we enter into Holy Week we are conscious that the whole world is suffering with Jesus through Covid-19, and awaits a resurrection from suffering and death.
In the latest Tui Motu this picture, accompanying a reflection by Neil Darragh, perhaps says better than words what we feel.
(Picture and reflection as shared by our R.E Advisor - Margaret from the Catholic Schools Office)
Prayer is a very important part of Holy Week, not only for our faith but also because of COVID-19 and the suffering that is happening in our world today.
Click on the logo above to access prayer reflections provided by Emmaus Productions, for all families to use during this time. There are some great resources here for children too.
This is also a great time for our children to learn the Traditional Prayers of the Church.
During this lockdown period, learning the following prayers will be a great help for our children.
As we walk the Stations of the Cross in our own bubbles this year, we remember Jesus' journey during his last week on earth.
Click Here to access the Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Online website.
As we walk the way of the Cross this year in our own bubbles, this is a great time to reflect and think about our own lives, think about the suffering that is happening in the world because of COVID-19 and offer up our prayers for everyone in need of it. Let us also take ourselves back to the Way of the Cross and the suffering that Jesus went through. We remember his love for us. He loved us enough to die on the cross for us. His compassion and love for us was shown through his actions. Jesus healed the blind man in Mark 10:46-52 and brought Lazarus back from the dead in John 11:1-44. When we find ourselves down and out during this time, let us take our thoughts back to Jesus and remember, his suffering was greater. Let us turn to him and ask him for the courage that we need in order to deal with what is happening in our world today.
"I cannot forget that there is a dear good God watching over us."
I hope you are all staying in your bubbles today!!
After finding out about our first fatality from COVID-19 as a country, I am sure your thoughts and prayers are with the family of this person who has passed on.
Prayer is something which connects us to God. Remember, He is there for us!
We have been given so much time to use, to re-evaluate, to think about the future with regards to our relationships in the home, in the work place and with God.
In a way, this is the time we can use to turn back to God and it is especially appropriate during this Lenten time.
YouTube - Pope Francis Urbi et Orbi 2020
This video of our Holy Father, reminds us dearly of our own relationship with God. Even though we may be separated in our own homes and we cannot attend church, we can be thankful for the use of modern technology which allows us to be in-touch not only with each other but with Pope Francis himself who is always thinking of all of us in the world today.
We don't have to be sad that we cannot attend mass. We can use this time to develop our prayer relationship with God.
Let us pray for ourselves, our families, our communities, our country and the entire world. Prayer is needed in our world today.
Give God some time in your day.
"Let us at any cost be faithful." St. Mary MacKillop (26.3.1873)
As we are about to close our schools due to COVID-19, please remember, we need to continue to live the true meaning of our Lenten Journey.
*Almsgiving
*Prayer
*Fasting
Let us turn to help those in our community that need help. Let us pray for a world that is in need of prayer. Let us fast from enjoying the good things that we love and give someone else a chance to enjoy them instead.
"He is a just and merciful God, you may be sure that the trial is sent in love." St. Mary MacKillop (6.8.1895)
For our children and community's health and wellbeing because of COVID-19, we will be cancelling a couple of events that were scheduled to be held this term.
*Syndicate Mass at school on the 27th of March
*Reconciliation at school on the 27th of March
We have Father Anthony's blessing and support on this.
Events Postponed until further notice
20 years School Anniversary Celebration
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
—John 14:27
"Courage, courage, trust in God who helps you in all things."
Our little school is turning 20 years old next week!
Since the school opened in 2000, it has steadily grown. The changes in our little corner of the world have been plenty. It is great to see old students of the school coming back to bring their own children to be educated here.
God is good! All the time!
All the time! God is good!
Keep an eye on this page. We will share more information about our 20 year celebration very soon.
"Be faithful in the least as well as in the greatest." St. Mary MacKillop (3.3.1873)
Congratulations to Father Michael who was ordained today as Auckland's New Auxiliary Bishop!
This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness an ordination of a brand new Bishop. It was an honour to attend this mass today at the Vodafone Events Centre. To see the culture of the Auckland Diocese in every aspect of the celebration was truly an amazing experience.
So many schools from the region were represented by some of their students and teachers.
It was a privilege to have been part of the day.
Here are some images from Bishop Michael Gielen's Ordination
The two images below are courtesy of
Bishop Patrick Dunn's Facebook page
"God’s will be done" St. Mary MacKillop (10.2.1882)
Teacher's Only Day on March 6th, 2020 was a day well spent!
Lyn Smith from Te Kupenga, Catholic Leadership Institute took us on a journey through the Old Testament.
Together with fellow colleagues from Catholic Schools around the North Island, we were introduced into the world of the Old Testament.
This day has left us wanting to learn more about the Old Testament. We are looking forward to our second day together in a few weeks time to add to the knowledge that we have gained today.
Thank you Lyn for your leadership and passion and your sense of humour today. You have inspired us to want to carry on and learn more about the Bible and you have encouraged us to look at the Bible in a different way and to bring some of the new knowledge that we have learnt into the classroom in this day and age.
Here are two images from our day.
"God give me strength for what is necessary. " St. Mary MacKillop (11.6.1877)
This is a once in a life-time chance to witness an Episcopal Ordination in this day and age in our country. Keep Father Michael in your prayers. See you at the Vodafone Events Centre next Saturday!!!
"Let us do the will of God, the beautiful, wise will of God." St. Mary MacKillop (5.3.1870)
