Spiritual Connections

Loving God,

We lift our hearts to You.

Behold, you make echoes in our hearts:

“I make all things new!”

Renew our lives, cleans our spirits, and guide us with Your love.

In Your loving transformation, may we find strength, hope, and everlasting joy.

Amen.

Advent

Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. We culminate our Church year celebrating Jesus as a direct descendant of King David.  Interestingly we soon follow preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  The new Church year begins with Advent.  There are four weeks of this season when we prepare ourselves to celebrate Christmas. 

The readings during Advent call us to be alert in waiting for the coming of the Lord. The readings beg the Lord to return to us and save us. Jesus warns us to be watchful, for not everyone will be ready in the final hour.

Advent is a time of spiritual preparation that begins with an awareness of our own longing and leads us to a deeper openness to the many gifts God wants to give us. As we prepare for Christ’s birth we reflect on a different spiritual gift for each week of Advent. Take the time for inner preparation, carrying out all the other demands of the season is bound to be more enjoyable. May you have a blessed Advent.

Sacramental Program: Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist

Congratulations to all the children who made their Confirmation and received the Eucharist for the first time, last Sunday. It was a fantastic celebration, led by Bishop Shane and Fr Joe Taylor. A big thankyou to all our families who helped prepare the children for this special day.

Last Monday, the children celebrated with a special Confirmation / Eucharist cake made by Sandra Dodd. It was the perfect way to finish the celebrations for the children. Thanks Sandra, for your beautiful cake.

Giving Tree Appeal

During this Advent Season we are busy getting ready for Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It has been a long tradition that we exchange gifts as a part of our Christmas Tradition.

At Sacred Heart we are asking that we give a small gift that could go to the needy. We proudly support the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul who will distribute these gifts to families in our community. Otherwise known as Vinnies, a Catholic organisation working in our community for the good of our community, Vinnies receive numerous calls for help at this festive time.

Our request, for those who can, provide a small gift that has been wrapped and tagged stating whom the gift would be suitable for e.g. 10-year-old boy or girl 5 years. Gifts can be placed under the tree in the foyer and on the last day of school they will be given to Vinnies for distribution.

Whilst the gift bearer remains anonymous both the giver and receiver are filled with hope.

Thankyou for your support.

Grade Five Caritas Just Leadership Day – Friday 22nd November.

Last Friday, a group of Grade Five students attended the Caritas Just Leadership Day at St Mary’s Mooroopna, led by Kerry Stone. The purpose of the day is to encourage and enable students to be actively involved in challenging injustice, and to develop the leadership qualities necessary to encourage others to do the same. 

Well done to the following students on the way they participated in the day and for being such great representatives of our school. 

Belle Tracey-Glover               Alexis Munari 

Annika Shetty                          Adele Christopher 

Ollie Dainton                            Urijah Gilboy 

Samuel Reid 

Hamish Worm was also going to attend but unfortunately couldn’t due to illness.

Zooper Doopers

Zooper Doopers are continuing to be sold at the second break each Thursday. The cost is $1.00 each. 

As a part of our Catholic tradition, in the month of October, we raise money for Catholic Missions. This organisation helps to support communities in need throughout the world. The money we raise will go a long way to helping the work of Catholic Missions.

Children can purchase a zooper dooper for themselves or another family member. We ask that they don’t purchase them for friends.

Thank you for your support.

Term 4 Events/Dates:

More information about specific events will be communicated closer to the dates.

Kind regards,

Tony McDonald.