We continue our mission to share Christ to all through our little acts.  We know that we are not perfect, but we strive through our small efforts to make big impacts on the lives of the people we serve. In the past two months, we have done things that we hope will bring light to the students, parents and the staff and hopefully inspire others. 

Year 7, 8 and 9 Retreats
The Junior Retreats were run by NET together with the CSYMI group of Sancta Maria College.  The focus was on Jesus and His love for all of us.  The students were invited to see Jesus’ love through the different activities and were encouraged to share this love to their families and communities.  

Year 12 Retreat
The theme of the Year 12 Retreat is Servant Leadership.  Mr. O’Connor, Mrs. Al-Rubbaie, Mr. Bali and Mr. Piggin ran the different sessions on leadership, seeing the importance of God in our daily lives and inspiring others to follow Jesus as leaders of the society.  The students attended Mass as part of their commissioning as future leaders of the school.  The retreat ended with personal witnessing of former students, Thomas George, Owen Tamayo, Francesca Abesamis and Sandra Heruela.  They have shared what they currently do and how they carry the light of Christ and inspire others to be close to God through their different tasks. 

DRS and HOD RE Retreat
The Auckland DRS and Religious Education HODs gathered to reflect on how they could continue to serve Christ and share God’s love to their school communities.  It is a difficult task – proclaiming Jesus in a secular society.  They were all reminded of the mission which is to keep on planting seeds.  Bishop Steve Lowe presided over Mass and spent time with them, encouraging them to continue their great work of the Lord. 

Tagged Teachers
With a good number of new staff, the DRS had one-on-one sessions with the Catholic teachers to encourage them to be Tagged Teachers.  There were many questions that were raised but they were all answered and encouraged to sign up and be good examples of practicing the Catholic faith. 

Lenten Liturgy
Our term one ended with our Lenten Liturgy which focused on the seven last words of Jesus.  Senior students, Jonathan Brozowski, Rayan Koz, Charbel Albotrous, Hannah Ernstzen, Elizabeth Johnstone and Summer Earl gave their personal reflections on Jesus’ words and what it meant to them with the aim of inspiring the school to reciprocate the love of God through their service of others especially their families, friends and communities. 

Pizza and Praise
The annual Pizza and Praise was held in St. Peter’s College on 9 April.  Students from the different Auckland Catholic schools gathered to talk about what they do in their school to be witnesses of the faith.  They also gathered for a Mass and pizza afterwards.  The CSYMI group represented the school with pride.  Thank you to all the staff who were in support of this evening. 

Formed
Within a month of subscription, there were already 192 email subscriptions from the school.  This is a good number, but the DRS is still encouraging the entire school to use this wonderful tool to deepen their understanding of the faith.  He is encouraging all families to watch Catholic movies with their families.  These are the Top items viewed by our school in the first month of usage:  

1. Moses: Signs, Sacraments, & Salvation
2. A Song for Nagasaki: The Story of Takashi Nagai by Paul Glynn
3. St. Therese | Littlest Saints
4. Sts. Benedict and Scholastica | Littlest Saints
5. Why a Church? | The Search | Episode 7
6. Back to Basics
7. Beloved – Session 2: Entering the Story of Marriage
8. John Part 1 | New Testament: Book Overviews | The Bible Project
9. Patrick: Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle
10. John Part 2 | New Testament: Book Overviews | The Bible Project
11. The Catholic Take on Halloween: Remembering the Dead and Celebrating the Saints | Catholic Saints
12. Our Sunday Obligation | The Catholic Parent | Episode 1
13. John 1 | Creation: Visual Commentaries | The Bible Project 

 Introduction of Bishop Peter and Fr. Jean Paul
Bishop Peter and Fr. Jean Paul attended our full-school assembly at the end of term one to introduce themselves, as they will be our school’s connection and Chaplaincy with St Luke’s Chapel.  They are a beautiful expression of God’s love as they have shared their mission and their desire for everyone to say ‘hi’, ask questions and visit the parish of St. Luke’s where they are currently assigned. 

Monday Rosary
On top of the different student-led special character activities, a group of students led by our Special Character prefects Luke McEnteer and Hannah Ernstzen prays the rosary for the school and everyone’s intentions.  They gather in the Prayer Room every Monday at 8:15am.  Everyone is encouraged to pray the rosary with them. 

CYSMI
The CSYMI group has expanded with their Head-Heart-Hands groups.  In addition to what they have been doing, they also gather every Thursday to do a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  After which, they also pray the rosary.  They do this in St. Luke’s Parish after school.  They have also done a Bake Sale for Catholic Emergency Housing (De Paul House). 

The CSYMI has also invited Fr. Jean Paul to talk to them about how God has called him to serve the people of God through priesthood.  This is with the hope that they be inspired to answer to the call of God to serve.  

Brendan Malone
Staff met early in the morning to listen to a talk by Brendan Malone.  He talked about the importance of each one in proclaiming the faith amidst the questions and pulls of the modern secular society.  Later in the day, he also spoke with the Year 11s and 13s to talk about tips on how to communicate Christ to others, especially their peers.  He also talked to the Year 12s to introduce Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. In preparation for their Term 2 course. 

Blessing of Peer Support Leaders and Students going to Europe and Japan 

Fr. Jean Paul gave a special blessing to the Peer Support Leaders and the Students going to Europe and Japan during the Friday lunch time Mass on 28 March.  In his homily, he mentioned that God has showered these students with talents and skills.  He encouraged the students to use these talents and skills to be the hands of Jesus to the world.  

Family Life International
The school continues to support Family Life international through its small donation to help the women who are victims of violence but still continue to show love and care for their children. 

Donation to Families
Mrs. Littlejohn has invited the staff to share their blessings to families in our community that are in need.  A collection of goods was given by the staff to help.  This is a show of God’s loving hands at work through the people in the school. 

Training and Formation of Altar Servers
Ralph Asuncion, Year 13, is leading the training and formation of Altar Servers.  He is not just training the juniors how to serve in Mass but is also teaching them the importance of the Eucharist and the different values and virtues one must possess to serve in the presence of the Lord.  The Altar Servers are now meeting every Wednesday at Lunch time in the Prayer Room. 

Non-uniform day for Catholic Caring Foundation 
On the first Thursday of March, the students gave their gold coins for Catholic Caring Foundation in exchange for wearing their own clothes.  The school collected over $1000 for this good cause. The Catholic Caring Foundation provides funding for care and support of families/whānau and communities affected by poverty and hardship.  They have partnered with over 60 agencies that provide grass-roots support for our families and communities in need. 

Parish Announcements
St. Luke’s Parish
Every Friday during Lent there will be:
Stations of the Cross: 6.30 – 7pm
Adoration Benediction: 7 – 8pm
Reconciliation Rite 1: 7 – 8pm

Baptism enquiries for Easter Sunday (20 April 2025) – if you would like to have your baby baptised, please email assistant@flatbushcatholic.org.nz (attendance at a preparation course is necessary if it is your first baby to be baptised).
Altar Servers – if you are aged between 14-17 years and interested in becoming an Altar Server, please email coordinator@flatbushcatholic.org.nz

St. Mark’s Parish
Please click this link for the latest newsletter and Mass timings over Easter.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish

Holy Week 2025

Alpha is a sort of back-to-basics course in the Christian faith.  We think and reflect on some of the fundamental truths of the Gospel.  Click the following link for more detail Alpha Course – Howick Catholic Church

In Christ through Sancta Maria,
Mr. Omar Leo Tamayo
Leader of Special Character Mission and Liturgy (DRS)