Gospel Reading: John 11: 1 - 45

There was a man named Lazarus who lived in the village of Bethany with the two sisters, Mary and Martha, and he was ill. It was the same Mary, the sister of the sick man Lazarus, who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair. The sisters sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man you love is ill.’ On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified.’

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he heard that Lazarus was ill he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judaea.’ The disciples said, ‘Rabbi, it is not long since the Jews wanted to stone you; are you going back again?’

Jesus replied:

‘Are there not twelve hours in the day?

A man can walk in the daytime without stumbling

because he has the light of this world to see by;

but if he walks at night he stumbles,

because there is no light to guide him.’

He said that and then added, ‘Our friend Lazarus is resting, I am going to wake him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he is able to rest he is sure to get better.’ The phrase Jesus used referred to the death of Lazarus, but they thought that by ‘rest’ he meant ‘sleep’, so Jesus put it plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead; and for your sake I am glad I was not there because now you will believe. But let us go to him.’ Then Thomas – known as the Twin – said to the other disciples, ‘Let us go too, and die with him.’ On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already. Bethany is only about two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to sympathise with them over their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus had come she went to meet him. Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘If you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that, even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you.’ ‘Your brother’ said Jesus to her ‘will rise again.’ Martha said, ‘I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.’

Jesus said:

‘I am the resurrection and the life.

If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,

and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

Do you believe this?’

‘Yes, Lord,’ she said ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.’

When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in a low voice, ‘The Master is here and wants to see you.’ Hearing this, Mary got up quickly and went to him. Jesus had not yet come into the village; he was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were in the house sympathising with Mary saw her get up so quickly and go out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there.

Mary went to Jesus, and as soon as she saw him she threw herself at his feet, saying, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ At the sight of her tears, and those of the Jews who followed her, Jesus said in great distress, with a sigh that came straight from the heart, ‘Where have you put him?’ They said, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept; and the Jews said, ‘See how much he loved him!’ But there were some who remarked, ‘He opened the eyes of the blind man, could he not have prevented this man’s death?’ Still sighing, Jesus reached the tomb: it was a cave with a stone to close the opening. Jesus said, ‘Take the stone away.’ Martha said to him, ‘Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day.’ Jesus replied, ‘Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone.

Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said:

‘Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer.

I knew indeed that you always hear me,

but I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me,

so that they may believe it was you who sent me.’

When he had said this, he cried in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, here! Come out!’ The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with bands of stuff and a cloth round his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, let him go free.’

Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.

School Fete

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent school fete! It was a great success and we couldn't have done it without the support of our amazing school community, led by our awesome Fete committee. It has been over 1000 days since our last fete and it was wonderful to be able to gather as a community. We hope that you enjoyed the food, games, and activities that were on offer, and that you had a chance to connect with fellow parents, teachers, and students. We also want to extend a special thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to plan, set up, and run the fete - your hard work and dedication made it a truly memorable event. Below are some images of our school captains Kissing the Croc. I managed to dodge the goat for another 12 months.

Medical Leave

I will be away from Tuesday March 28 until Monday April 3. Over the past six months I have had 2 melanomas removed, one from my leg and the other from my back. Last week I had a biopsy on my right arm, which has also been identified as a melanoma. As such, I will be having it removed next week. In my absence, Kerrin Henderson will be available. I have read a great deal about skin cancer in the past 6 months and there are often diverse opinions in how much sun exposure we should or shouldn’t have.

Preventing Skin Cancer

To minimise you and your family's risk of skin damage including skin cancer adopt a combination of the 5 sun protection measures when spending time outdoors when UV levels reach 3 and above. In Canberra this will be for part or most of each day from around August through to the end of May. Canberrans are encouraged to download the SunSmart app to assist them with daily sun protection times. 

Around June and July sun protection is generally not necessary in Canberra due to low UV levels (under 3). Sun protection in June and July may still be required for people who have a history of skin cancer or are spending extended time in the sun i.e. outdoor workers. For more information read Cancer Council Australia’s Position Statement Risks and Benefits of Sun Exposure.

Table 1. UV Index * in selected Australian cities averaged over the days in each month

As a school, we expect that students wear hats all year round, although there is some flexibility in the winter months. We also have sun screen in each room, which students can apply before going outside.

Upcoming Events:

Friday March 24 – Walk / Ride to School day – information previously circulated via Compass

Friday March 24 – Feast of the Annunciation – All students are being bused to St John Vianney’s for a joint Mass, shared lunch and mixture of activities. More information has been shared by Brigitta our REC.

Friday March 24 – Presentation of swimming ribbons – 2pm in the school Hall

Thursday March 30 – ELC – Year 6 Athletics Carnival – Woden Athletics Field

Thank you for your ongoing support

ELC NEWS

Happy Birthday to Jesse N, Henry C

A big thank you to everyone who was able to support our St Jude’s School fete on the weekend. It was a fantastic community day and we hope you had a great time.  This week we had a wonderful celebration of Harmony Day with children wearing traditional dress to represent their cultural background, or wearing orange for Harmony. We were also very excited to have a visit from Peter from Canberra Reptile Zoo with his reptile friends including a tree frog, turtles, a crocodile, lizards and snakes. Would you hold a python like Mr Luc?

Project Compassion

Throughout Lent we are learning about the importance of doing kind things for others.  We are participating in Project Compassion to help people living in poverty.  Children can bring in gold coin donations to contribute to their class Project Compassion box.

Gastroenteritis

Our Gastro outbreak is now declared over. As always, please continue to keep children at home if they are unwell and advise the ELC office of symptoms.

Feast Day Excursion to SJV

St Jude’s and St John Vianney’s schools will join together tomorrow, Friday 24 March, to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. We will take a bus to SJV to celebrate our parish feast day with a church service, a picnic lunch and buddy activities. Please return your permission note to the ELC as soon as possible.

Athletics Carnival

The St Jude’s Athletics Carnival is on Thursday 30 March. We will take a bus to Woden Park Athletics Field. A Sausage Sizzle Meal Deal will be available on the day and order forms are due back by Monday 27 March. Please return your permission note to the ELC as soon as possible.

This week celebrates Harmony Week with Harmony Day on Tuesday 21 March. Traditionally, orange is the colour associated with Harmony Day. It signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.

A couple of great books to read to children that promote Harmony:   

Happy reading! Verna Comley

Swimming Carnival Ribbons

Swimming Carnival ribbons will be presented to eligible place getters at the advertised assembly this Friday 24 March. The ribbons assembly will be held in the school hall commencing at 2.00pm. Parents and carers are very welcome to attend. The winning house from the carnival will also be announced. 

Athletics Carnival

The St Jude's Athletics Carnival will be held next Thursday 30 March at Woden Athletics Park, Phillip. Please see Compass notifications for full details.

Please use Compass to give permission to attend the carnival as well as nominating your child/ren for the 800m event and to put your name down to be a parent helper. This needs to be done by tomorrow, Friday 24 March please. Students will not be entered in 800m events after tomorrow. Students can order a special carnival day Meal Deal. The Meal Deal includes a sausage sandwich, fruit box and a packet of chips. Extra sausages can be ordered. The order form is available on Compass. Please return to the front office with correct money or through Qkr! Orders close Monday 27 March.

We are looking forward to some great weather to enjoy a day of fun, sportsmanship and competition with the whole school, ELC-Year 6. Parents are very welcome to come along to spectate and cheer along the students. 

Athletics Carnival Meal Deal – orders close 12noon Monday 27 March

A meal deal (consisting of a Sausage, Juice and Chips) is available to be ordered for the Athletics Carnival. Vegetarian option is available.

Orders need to be placed by 12noon Monday 27 March, via Qkr! or Cash.

The usual canteen menu will be unavailable.

If you are available to assist with preparing the meal deal, please email katrina.howden@cg.catholic.edu.au

Menu Items

You may notice on Qkr! that flavoured milk and Glee may be unavailable - this is due to supply issues. The suppliers are due to have available stock again on Monday 27 March.

Canteen Volunteers – Week 9

Wednesday 29 March - N. Berthelot & R.Tanner

Thursday 30 March – ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - G. Cabot, S. Davenport,  L. Gardiner, R. Buckley & S. Cooper

Friday 31 March – E. Eyles, G. Cabot & S Monges

The Canteen is still looking for more volunteers - if you would like to volunteer in the Canteen, please email katrina.howden@cg.catholic.edu.au

Families and Friends, a HUGE thank you to all families who came on Sunday to try on and purchase Winter Uniforms! It was a very productive morning for the Uniform Shop!! Thank you also (as always!) to our wonderful volunteers who gave their time after a very busy Fete day on Saturday - without you guys, we couldn't provide this service!

 In more exciting news, the uniform shop is opening:

- Friday 24/03 FROM 8.50am-9.30am, 

- Tuesday 28/03 AND

- Tuesday 04/04 FROM 2.30PM - 5PM.

 **As always, if orders are placed on Qkr!, these will be packed and sent to your child's classroom. For any secondhand items, please email uniform.stjudes@gmail.com and we will pick and pack what we can, and deliver to your child's class. So do not despair if you cannot make these timings. 

 ***If items do not fit or are incorrect, please return these to the front office with a note of what is to be exchanged, and we will conduct this swap when packing orders. Again, these items will be returned via your child's classroom. No need to make a special visit or meet timings if they do not suit. 

A massive congratulations and thanks to everyone that contributed to the successful running of the school fete. It was an absolutely amazing day! It was fantastic to see school and community members once again come together. It would not have been possible without the help of so many people. From volunteers on the day, donation makers, bakers, sponsors and organisers, thank you!

I have to single out Carlie Douglas and Emily Eyles. They worked so hard for months to make this fete happen, along with the fete committee. I hope everyone enjoyed a well-deserved rest on Sunday.  

The next Community Council meeting will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 29 March in the library. We would love to see as many people as possible attend. The meeting is open to all parents and carers. An online option will also be available for this meeting.

Many thanks

If you still have your Fete Mate lanyards can you please return it to the front office. 

Thank you to all our amazing sponsors who helped make this years fete a great success.

 We encourage all families to support the businesses that support us!

 
PLATINUM SPONSOR

Chase Group

GOLD SPONSOR

Luton Weston Creek

The Garden Guard

R&R Fabricare

BFG and Sun

MRKT

Weston Dentistry

David Smith MP

SILVER SPONSOR

Dominos Weston Creek

B Eco Family Store

My Sweet Lady

Aman Kaur (New Door Properties)

Fit Bodz

 
Donations

Alpha Fresh Produce

Cockington Green

Canberra School of Tennis

CC Beauty Centre

Weston Indoor Sports

Dominos Weston Creek

SHAW Winery

MRKT Property

Harry Hartog Woden

Woden Valley Gymnastics Club

Maggie Dent

Flip Out

Tiny Creatures Co

Songland

Grill’d

CPR Kids

Dendy Cinemas

Limelight Cinemas

Bounce

Mys Restaurant

My Sweet Lady

Brumbies

SportsCare Physio

Hellenic Club

Bunnings Tuggeranong

That Gelato Place

JMD Designs

Coffee Guru Weston

Chapman IGA

Bega Diary

Bakers Delight Weston

Pac Le Mond

Raffel Winners

1^st prize: Fionnan A

2^nd prize: Kathryn R

3^rd: Annabel

4^th: William B

5^th: Elsie B

6^th: Mrs J Smith 

7^th: W Greig

8^th: Frank C

9^th: Anthony Brasil 

10^th: Charlotte Balzan 

11^th: Jonah N

12^th: Oliver l R

13^th: Sittler

14^th: Mrs Cowley 

15^th: Eve L

16^th: Kay Robinson 

17^th: Mrs J Smith 

18^th: Madison K

Fete Mate

1. Miguel G
2. Jessica C
3. Maeve W