Dear Parents and Families,

Welcome to the final week of Term 3 at St Mary’s. We look forward to, and welcome
the holidays after what has been a very different and at times, challenging term.

Mission Month

This year’s Mission Country is Thailand. Throughout Socktober 2021, students
across Australia will be learning about, praying, advocating for, and raising funds
to support vulnerable children in Thailand and around the world.

This Socktober students are encouraged to learn what life is like for children from Thailand, specifically those from the slum areas in Bangkok. Thailand is bordered by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and China, with coastlines on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Unlike its neighbours, Thailand managed to avoid being ruled by the Dutch and the Spanish.

The Good Shepherd Sisters Kindergarten Centre

The Good Shepherd Sisters have been supporting communities in need in Thailand
for over 55 years. The Sisters have a mission to build partnerships that promote the
dignity and human rights of all, especially women and children. Among the many
programs run by the Sisters in the bustling capital of Bangkok is a kindergarten for
children from an urban slum where many simply cannot afford to send their children
to school. The kindergarten offers two life‑changing services for both local women
and their children.

The Sisters provide a loving education in a safe place, catering for essential needs; and secondly, this allows the parents to freely work and earn a living for their families without fear for their children’s safety. Run by Sister Chalaad Sungkalurk R.G.S., the kindergarten aims to help children from families in difficult financial situations receive education that promotes mental, emotional, social and educational development, provide a safe environment for these children, and promote collaboration with local families.

“If the children have a chance to study or prepare well to go to school, it will
be very good … for them. We try to support them, and not only for education.
Mind and body have to go together for the children to develop. I believe that if
we really and truly help them with love, they will grow nicely and will have a
good future.” Sister Chalaad Sungkalurk R.G.S.

Through Socktober, students can learn more about how they can be missionary to support children in Thailand and around the world through prayer and fundraising. This will allow these children to have the same opportunities we are afforded here in Australia.

We hope to be able to support the country of Thailand in Mission Month on our return to school in Term 4 by organising fun activities for the children to participate in.

Free Online Catholic Gathering on Supporting Couples

All are welcome to a free, online, one day gathering of Teams (a worldwide Catholic
movement promoting married spirituality) on Saturday 18 September 2021. Hear stimulating talks from a range of local speakers on Supporting Couples. Enjoy the opportunity to meet other participants and provide feedback.

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred,
let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen.

Wishing everyone a very safe and restful holiday. We look forward to seeing you all back at school soon.

In all things may God be glorified