At the very beginning of the new school year, I often find myself gazing across the oval searching for the familiar faces of the Year Six children. A small pang of sadness hits when I realise they have gone off to high school and are no longer playing footy or netball or some other crazy running game.

Just this week, a little later than usual, a small child walked past me on the playground just in my peripheral vision and I thought “Oh that’s Bella.”  Instant sadness came upon me and my eyes teared up as I realised not only was Bella not a St John’s student anymore but she was the student who passed away during the holidays from a heart condition.

How very sad we are to attend the funeral today of one of our own students. A child who was and always will be part of the St John’s story.  All of our children, staff parents and extended families will always be part of the continued story of our community.  I am so grateful that my story is intertwined within this community.

Our prayers and thoughts are with Bella and her family as they say their final farewells today.

Matthew 19:14 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

¹⁴ but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

God bless,’

Stephanie Stewart
Religious Education Coordinator

Parish News

Sunday 19 May
11:30am Cotter Picnic ground near the Dam Wall.
Please bring a salad OR dessert to share. Sausages will be provided.