Next week, our Church celebrates Holy Week. I hope you had an opportunity to read my letter from last week about this special time in our liturgical year.

A reminder that this Friday at 11:30am, Year 5B/L will be presenting  ‘The Passion of Jesus’ musical in the hall.   All members of our community are invited to attend. A tradition at Easter time is to share chocolate eggs. As Easter Sunday occurs in the middle of our school holidays, we are asking that if you wish your child to share chocolate eggs at school, this is done after the holidays in Week 1 of Term 2. Thank you for your assistance. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in supporting Project Compassion this year. Please return any Project Compassion boxes to school before the holidays. This week, we learn about Nguyet from Vietnam. This is her story:

Nguyet is a teenager living with a disability in a small town in Vietnam. She lived the first 14 years of her life isolated at home. Her disability restricted her movements and any chance of going to school..

Around 7% of people in Vietnam are living with a disability. They often have poorer health, fewer education and employment opportunities and higher poverty rates.

The future appeared bleak for Nguyet, until a Caritas Australia program, implemented by our partner Catholic Relief Services (CRS) changed her life forever. Around 4,000 people have now benefitted from this inspiring Caritas program.

The program is helping people like Nguyet, by focusing on inclusive education, health services and building strong community networks to help to break down stigma and discrimination for those with disabilities and their families.

Two years after she featured in Project Compassion 2017, Nguyet has built a successful online business selling T-shirts, accessories and home-cooked snacks made by her sister. 

She is also more confident in communicating with people – and is riding a motorbike she bought from her profits.

“I can go out independently now. I would like to have my own shop in the village one day. And I hope that other people with disabilities in Vietnam will receive help like I did.” 

Nguyet has great hope and a real commitment to succeed in her future. She hopes her story will inspire others to see what is possible for a person once isolated and unheard.

Wishing you a safe and holy Easter.

Mass times for Holy Week and Easter at Saint Pius X Church

Palm Sunday:          Saturday Vigil Mass 6:30pm, Sunday 9:30am and 5:30pm Masses

Holy Thursday:       7pm Mass (The church will be open until 10pm for silent prayer)

Good Friday:           9:30am Stations of the Cross, 3pm The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Easter Saturday:    7pm Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday:       9:30am and 5:30pm Masses as usual