Vinnies Christmas Appeal

A big thank you to everyone who has brought in items so far for our Christmas Appeal. We have had a very successful beginning with our Mini Vinnies members collecting your many generous donations!

Please send in Christmas hamper items, food items or special gifts. 

Each class has a basket for donations.

Suggested items are:

Kindergarten – Candy canes or bon bons

Year 1 – Shortbread biscuits or packet jelly

Year 2 – Tinned corn, beetroot or pineapple

Year 3 – Savoury biscuits

Year 4 – Chips, Cheezels, Pringles, corn chips

Year 5 – Tinned fruit

Year 6 – Sweet biscuits or long-life custard

A reminder to please send your items in plastic bags to minimise handling if possible.

We are continuing the Christmas Appeal until Tuesday December 8th.

Christmas Wishes

With Christmas less than a month away, schools were asked to submit two hope-filled Christmas Wishes written by students with a chance of being published in the Catholic Voice. Below are the student entries that we submitted:

Now I know, and I’m sure everyone else would agree with me, that 2020 has been a very weird year! Starting with the Australian bushfires in January then to Covid-19. Many of us have been through a lot and have lost many things which is why my Christmas wish is for everybody to be happy.

Christmas will be very different for a lot of us, but I want everyone to be happy and spend time with one another. Take Christmas as an opportunity to sit back and put your feet up for a bit. Celebrate Jesus and all the good things that have happened this year.

Happiness is what every deserves wrapped up as a Christmas present this year.

By Imogen Bond

My Christmas wish from this year is hard to decide because this year has been so difficult with the bushfires, the floods and especially COVID-19. But after a lot of time thinking about it, I have finally come up with a Christmas wish. My Christmas wish for this year Is for everyone to have hope, a lot of hope for next year.

By Jazmyn Mamo

Advent Week 1

The First Week of Advent begins this Sunday

During Advent, which means ‘coming’, we are waiting for Christ to come. How do you feel when you are waiting for someone special to arrive? We get excited when we think about the wonderful things that are going to happen.

In our scripture readings during Advent, we see people who are also waiting. We hear about Jesus’ mother, Mary, waiting for the birth of her son Jesus. We hear of John the Baptist, who was sent to get people ready for the day when Jesus would begin teaching them. In the Gospel for this First Sunday of Advent, we will hear that Jesus will come again at the end of the world. We can rejoice and not be afraid of the end times because Jesus showed us how to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. Throughout history, there have been, and continue to be, many people whom God has chosen to help us follow Jesus. John the Baptist was one of them. He lived at the time of Jesus. He told people to think about the way they are living and to change their way of life for the better so that they could be prepared for Jesus’ coming. John lived in the desert and had dedicated his life to God. He ate simple things that were found in nature and wore clothes made from animal skins. What can we do to prioritise God in our lives?

What do the candles in our Advent wreath mean?

The Advent wreath, four candles on a wreath of evergreen, is shaped in a perfect circle to symbolize the eternity of God. In some churches, four candles, one for each week in Advent, are used with one larger white candle in the middle as the Christ candle.

During each Sunday of the Advent season, we focus on one of the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. The white Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day reminding Christians that Jesus is the light of the world. The wreath continually reminds us of whom we are called to be as followers of Jesus.

Week 1: Light one purple candle, for hope.

You may wish to pray as a family while lighting the candles.

Learn, pray and act through each day of Advent.

As you light the first purple candle of hope this Sunday, consider what changes you can make to bring your family closer to God.

Next week for Week 2 of Advent: Light two purple candles, for hope and for peace.

You may wish to pray this prayer as a family while lighting the candles.

Prepare the Way of the Lord

God, may we prepare our hearts for Jesus’ return.

Amen

For ideas to prepare for Christmas at home click on http://www.caritas.org.au/advent

Catholic Mission Fundraiser Still Open

Thank you to those families who have already donated to the Catholic Mission Fundraiser for 2020. Catholic Mission is working to empower children and young adults with a disability at the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia. This centre works to care for people who are otherwise lacking support and opportunities to lead a fulfilling life.

For more information, visit https://www.catholicmission.org.au/

If you would still like to support this cause, donations are being accepted through Qkr for another week. Thank you!

Warmest wishes

Lisa Conroy

REC