Newsletter March 16th, 2021
The Fast Life
Fast from judging others; feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on hope.
Fast from negatives; feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety; feast on faith.
- Author Unknown
Dear Parents and Families,
Life at school seems to keep gathering pace as we very quickly race toward the end of first term. The next three weeks are busy ones with important events and activities taking place each week. It will be important that all families make sure key events are marked on their calendars and ensure that all permission forms for each event are returned to assist with planning and organisation. A reminder that all of our permission forms are available on PAM and the SIMON Everywhere app, and all families should have access to this app to ensure they are not missing out on important notes and advice.
On Thursday 18th March all of our students are heading to Ballarat to participate in our parish schools celebration of St Patrick’s Day, the feast day of our parish patron saint. Along with the students from St. Patrick’s Gordon, we will celebrate liturgy with Bishop Paul Bird as our celebrant. It is most appropriate that we recognise and celebrate that we belong to a much larger Catholic community in this way as this year is also a year of celebration for Catholic Education in Australia. Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.
Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.
This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and employing 98,000 teachers and staff.
The Diocese of Ballarat will celebrate Catholic Education Week from May 23rd - May 29th with the theme “Faith in our Future”. All families and parishioners are welcome and encouraged to join us at the Cathedral on Thursday at 11.00 a.m.
Please note: Adults are required to wear masks in the cathedral.
A permission form has been sent home today for our inter school Athletics Day at Mason’s Lane. As in past years we will be running buses both to and from Bacchus Marsh. Additionally, this will be a great day for our parents and families to come along and join in the day. If parents attend the day, your children will be able to leave with you at the end of the day rather than returning to school. Please find attached a timetable of events for the day. We will also need some parent volunteers to assist with some of the activities. Please let us know if you are able to assist in any way. Attached is the COVID Safe Plan for the day. It will be vital that we adhere to the requirements contained within this plan.
On Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st March we will be conducting our Parent Teacher Meetings. We have had to move these days due to our sports being conducted on Monday. All families can book a suitable time through PAM/SIMON Everywhere from tomorrow Wednesday 17th March. Due to Covid 19 we are very aware that parents have not been able to come on site during Term One, so these meetings are a perfect opportunity for you to come in and catch up with your child’s teacher. We also know that by your attending such gatherings we send a very strong message to children - that you recognise that what your children are doing at school is important and that you value and are interested in their learning journey. Please book a time online. If you need any assistance with making a booking please contact Emma or Jodie in the office.
As is outlined in our calendar and announced earlier this year, the first day of Term Two - Monday 19th April will be a school closure day for all students at St. Brigid’s. The staff will be spending this day continuing to work on our whole school Professional Learning focus for 2021, that of Visible Learning
It’s on again this year! We are now accepting donations for our Monster Easter Egg Raffle. All families are invited to donate Easter eggs (or anything that is Easter Themed e.g soft toy, story book) for our Raffle which will be drawn on the last day of Term. Raffles tickets will be sent home to all families shortly.
Please see the information contained in the link below regarding The Get Active Kids Voucher Program, helping eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms and equipment. Eligible children may be able to receive up to $200 each.
Mass Times:
| 1st Sunday | 2nd Sunday | 3rd Sunday | 4th Sunday | 5th Sunday | |
| Saturday 6.30pm | Dunnstown | Springbank | Dunnstown | Clarkes Hill | Springbank |
| Sunday 8.45am | Gordon | Bungaree | Gordon | Gordon | Bungaree |
| Sunday 10.30am | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan |
We welcome the children who are at Mass this weekend as part of their preparation for Reconciliation. We assure them of our prayers and support on their journey.
Gordon Parish Sacramental Program 2021:
Thursday, March 25 – Reconciliation Ceremony
4pm - St Patrick’s Church, Gordon
St Patrick’s Day Celebrations:
Students from Gordon & Ballan schools will gather together at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat on Thursday, March 18 for 11am mass with Bishop Paul Bird. Parishioners are welcome to attend.
Bank Details for Weekly Collections at Mass:
If you would like to make a deposit directly into our Bank account for the weekly loose collection at Mass, our details are as follows:
Bendigo Bank BSB 633 000 - A/c No: 1602 757 98
For enquries please contact Parish Secretary on 5368 9280 or 0492 903 409