Mission
FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Last Sunday marked the commencement of the first week in Advent. This special time of preparation; healing and hope, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration, while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s Kingdom when he returns for his people.
We may use the symbol of the Advent wreath to count down and reflect on our lives, before Christmas. Within the wreath are four candles, a new candle is lit on each of the four Sundays of Advent. The four candles traditionally represent hope, faith, joy, and peace. Often, the first, second, and fourth candles are purple; the third candle is rose-colored. A fifth white candle may be placed in the centre and is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
During the season of Advent, we pray that God will continue to prepare our hearts in readiness to welcome Jesus into our lives even more abundantly.
Advent God,
The promise you made to your people fills us with hope!
The paths will be made straight, the valleys made low.
We await our saviour, Jesus, who wants to be born in our hearts.
Stay with us as we journey toward his coming.
We make our prayer through the one who is coming among us.
Amen
MATER DEI CHRISTMAS APPEAL -
SUPPORTING ST VINCENT DE PAUL
With the commencement of Advent, we prepare our hearts and minds to receive Jesus anew this Christmas, we take the opportunity to dedicate this preparatory time to acts of service and good will.
The 2019 Mater Dei Christmas Appeal presents us with the opportunity to support the ongoing work of the Kooringal Conference of Vinnies, who prepare Christmas Hampers for the less fortunate of our community. Collections have been underway for the past couple of weeks in Homegroup time and will continue throughout the term, up until our students’ last day on Friday 13 December.
Donations are gradually building, however, we call on the support and generosity of our Community to see these increase before our handover. Please take the opportunity to make a Christmas themed donation to our appeal, reflecting on the types of festive food you enjoy on Christmas Day, and picking up something during your grocery shop.
Some suggestions of non-perishable Christmas donations are below;
🔸Christmas Pudding or Cake
🔸Tinned Ham
🔸Gravy
🔸Bon Bons
🔸Tinned fruit
🔸Custard
🔸Cake mixes
🔸Lollies or chocolates
You are also welcome to donate gifts for children, if doing so, there is no need to wrap these, just place them in an open gift bag or plastic bag. All gift card donations are also gratefully received. Thank you for supporting the MDCC Vinnies Christmas Appeal this year. Your donations are so richly valued by their recipients!
Mrs Amelia Bright | Acting Leader of Mission