This Sunday, the new Church year commences with us celebrating the first Sunday of Advent.

Advent is a season of waiting; we wait with hope, desire and expectation. One of our Advent companions is Mary, and during these weeks we remember her as she waited for the birth of her child. We know what waiting is like, as many of us wait with anticipation for the holidays.

Advent is also a season to prepare for Christmas. We know that the first coming of Jesus at Bethlehem will not happen again, so during Advent, we prepare for a new coming of Jesus into our lives. We take this time every year to practise how to receive Jesus every day of our lives. We remember Jesus’ call to us, to make our world a peaceful and loving place, and so, during Advent, we make special efforts to be signs that God is with us. This is what the word ‘Emmanuel’ means – God-with-us.

Advent is a season with its own special mood, colours, sounds, words and joys. Sometimes it can be swamped by Christmas and we can be tempted to celebrate Christmas too early. This Advent, may we all try to wait, as the world waited long ago for the coming of Jesus, the “Light of the World”.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

On Wednesday and Thursday this week 21 of our Year 4 students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Reconciliation is the Sacrament of relationship and focussing not just on saying sorry to God, but how we can repair our relationship with God and with others we have hurt. The children were nervous but excited and had a wonderful celebration.  

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Once again, St Francis of Assisi will be supporting the Parish in gathering food and drinks to create hampers for families in need to open and share on Christmas Day.

The last two years have been a challenge for everyone, especially those experiencing disadvantage. This year has come with new trials including the impacts of closed borders, global inflation, and the east coast energy crisis, putting pressure on people in Australia and being an added stress for people already experiencing hardship. We are asking each grade for specific donations (please see below) which our Year 6 leaders will use to make hampers for those in need. The last day to drop off donations is Friday, December 9th.