R.E. News
Advent
The season of Advent begins in the weeks before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. It is a special time of preparation as we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.”
During Advent, we use different colours to help us reflect. The purple used in the first weeks reminds us of preparation and reflection, while the rose-coloured candle reminds us of joy as Christmas draws near.
The Advent wreath holds four candles, one for each Sunday of Advent, and a central white candle that represents Christ and is lit at Christmas.
1st Sunday of Advent – HOPE: The Prophet’s Candle reminds us that Jesus is coming.
2nd Sunday of Advent – PEACE: The Bethlehem Candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
3rd Sunday of Advent – JOY: The Shepherd’s Candle reminds us of the joy the world felt as Jesus’ birth neared.
4th Sunday of Advent – LOVE: The Angel’s Candle reminds us of the angels’ message: “Peace on Earth, good will to all.”
The central white candle – CHRIST: Lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
As we finish the school year, we will hold four Advent prayer celebrations. Please see the flyer for dates and times for our Advent Liturgies and our End of Year Mass. Families are warmly invited to join us in prayer and celebration.
Christmas Hampers
Every year at Christmas time, our school community responds to the St Vincent de Paul “Adopt-a-Family Christmas Appeal”. Over the next few weeks, we will be collecting groceries and making Christmas food hampers for St Vinnies’ volunteers to distribute to local families in need of help. The items donated assist identified families in need in the local areas during Christmas time.
We are asking for non-perishable food items that are suitable for Christmas Hampers such as:
- Tinned - ham/salmon/tuna
- Christmas pudding/cake
- Biscuits/shortbread
- Mince pies
- Cordial/tetra juice packs
- Soft drinks
- Lollies/candy canes, jellies
- Canned or dried vegetables
- Tinned fruit
- Long-life custard
- Gravy mix
- Packets of snack foods
- Chips, popcorn, nuts
- Breakfast cereal, UHT milk
- Pancake shake mix
- Bonbons/crackers
- Christmas serviettes, paper plates etc.
Please ensure that items are unopened, non - perishable, and within the use by expiry date.
TOYS AND CLOTHES ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.
We do ask that if students are able to bring in items, they can be placed in a box in their classroom for collection. All food needs to be brought into school by Monday 8th of December so our Social Justice Student Leaders can sort and wrap the hampers.
Thank you for your support.
Lucas Mangani
RE Leader