Religious Education in the Classroom
Welcome to the last week of Term 2, a wonderful term full of exciting learning experiences. I have enjoyed interacting with students during their Religion lessons and joining classes during Friday Parish Mass.

Year 1’s Religious Education unit examines how faith communities of the past help to understand their connection to faith communities of today. 1 Green started the unit with using praying beads to focus on talking to God and 1 Red focused on comparing their lives to Jesus’ life. 

I asked a few students the question, Why do you use praying beads? 

Acacia: I use each bead for each prayer.
Amelia: It helps me to pray better.
Seb: I pray to Mary.
Peter: It helps me to pray and talk to God.

Illuminate Retreat
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Mt Carmel’s Youth Ministry had the opportunity to gather and celebrate their place within the communal life and mission of the Church. We are looking forward to their ministry in Semester 2, as they serve through intentional moments of encounter, discipleship and mission. 

Students were invited to provide feedback on their involvement with the Youth Ministry program and below are a few responses:

• I learned more about other schools and what they do.
• One thing that I learnt from yesterday was that you can pray by singing.
• I learnt that Jesus is with us in everything.
• I learnt that connecting with other people is really important.
• What stood out to me was when we were singing the song 'Yes, Lord' it made me think about the Lord coming to me.
• Always help others and never judge a book by its cover.
• Music can be God's love and he loves all.
• Vinnies has a bigger impact than everyone thinks.

Religious Life of Mt Carmel School

Mt Carmel’s Mini Vinnies News
Vinnies Winter Appeal
Thank you to all the families who have donated towards the Vinnies Winter Appeal. We have had so many donations! 

Vinnies Winter Appeal - Thanks to Mt Carmel!
On behalf of the members of the St Augustine’s Conference of St Vincent de Paul, I would like to extend my most heart-felt gratitude to the Mount Carmel school community for their very generous contributions to the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

We were just blown away by the number of donations: 16 full laundry baskets and another 9 grocery bags! The donations took three of us two hours to sort and pack onto the shelves. We could also tell that a lot of thought had gone into the donations, which covered a wide range of everyday needs. 

These thoughtful donations of food and other non-perishable goods will go a long way towards assisting us to support those in need in our community in a very practical way. The money raised from your “Wear a Beanie” fundraiser will also aid us in helping out individuals and families who have fallen on hard times and for whom this time of the year poses extra challenges.

We particularly appreciate your thoughtful and generous contributions, given the current economic climate. We extend our deepest thanks to Mrs Karakotas and the Mini Vinnies members, the student body, parents, teachers and other members of your school community. They have really contributed to our mission of giving a “hand up” to people in need.

Debbie Valencic
President, St Augustine’s Conference of SVDP Yass

Wear a Beanie 2025
Mt Carmel School students have raised $370 to support our local St Augustine’s Conference. 

St Augustine’s Parish News

Congratulations to all the children who received their First Holy Communion last Sunday! A big thank you to the Sacramental Team for preparing this special event and the parents guiding their children through their faith journey. An extended thank you to Mt Carmel School’s teachers and music ministry.

Wishing you all a blessed holiday with your family and friends.

Eva Karakotas
Religious Education Coordinator