Newsletter Week3, Term4 2023

APRIM News

What will you share with your children about Halloween?

Halloween is becoming a popular celebration in Australia and I would like to share with you some thoughts about the Catholic view on Halloween. On the 1^st and 2^nd of November Catholics focus on All Saints Day and All Souls Day. We will be having a whole school Mass on All Saints Day to celebrate those people who lived a Christian life. On All Souls Day we pray for those who have died and remember Jesus rose to eternal life.

All Saints is a solemn feast for Catholics. It was originally called ‘All Hallows’ Day. Hallow means saint and is also used in the Our Father ‘hallowed be thy name’ meaning Jesus` name is holy.

The Catholic tradition of the word Halloween came from the fact that Catholic feasts begin celebrations the night before with a vigil, fasting and prayer. This became known as ‘All Hallows Eve’ shortened to Halloween.

Originally in our Catholic tradition all significant feasts began their celebrations with a vigil the night before and people would prepare by acts of prayer and fasting. Later this celebration became known as All Hallows Evening shortened to Halloween!

As a Catholic school we pray for and recognise Saints and those who have died. Explaining to children the connection of Halloween to All Saints and All Souls Day helps them understand the Catholic context of praying for those how have died and recognise our special Saints.

All Saints Day Prayer

Bless the many parted souls
who lived their lives with grace.
Bless the saints in heaven,
gathered in that special place.

May we tell their stories
and remember all the ways
they lived their faith
and spent their days.

There is glory and reward,
even if at first there’s strife.
Oh, blessed saints, you help us see
a path that’s to eternal life.

May we always hold them dear
and know their life and place.
May we know their inspiration
and aspire to their grace.

Mary Mackillop Cross

Newton Parish was privileged to host the Mary Mackillop Cross for this week. This is part of the Knights of the Southern Cross Centenary Pilgrimage of Thanksgiving. The large 2.7metre cross was constructed by the Penola branch of the Knights of the Southern Cross in 1986. The cross has been travelling around the Archdiocese of Adelaide. The significance of this cross is that it was constructed from the floorboards of the first school established by Mary MacKillop in Penola. Some of our students visited the cross and Fr John explained the history of it and shared knowledge about St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.