Catholic Identity

Reflection  

From Religious Education Leader: Elizabeth Holligan

This Advent season we remember and celebrate the birth of the Christ child, the bringer of hope, peace, joy, love, and salvation for all on earth, as we look towards the second coming.

Christian Aboriginal people of the Yorta Yorta nation celebrate Advent using the Coolamon to represent the waiting. The Coolamon, a vessel used by women for gathering seeds, plants for food, and carrying babies is placed upside down at the foot of the altar as a sign of waiting for the birth of Jesus.  The Coolamon also represents waiting in solidarity with Mary the expectant Mother, listening and waiting, not fully understanding God’s plan but simply trusting and following Mary and Jesus in the New Dreaming. Trusting that we too will experience a resurrection and a new life.  

As we come to the end of the second week of Advent, the hope and peace candles burn brightly. Sunday will be the start of the third week of Advent, we will light the candle symbolising Joy.

This Advent we remember in our prayers all who have gone before us and who now rest in the loving gentle arms of Our Lord. We especially remember at this time our year 7 student, Ruby Gribbin and pray for her parents Sandi and Simon and for her sister Crystal (year 11). We ask for God’s special presence for her family, her friends, the St Anne’s College staff who have known, helped and cared and been part of her life and for all who have known her. We remember with gratitude the gift that the life of Ruby was for us, her character and her laughter.

As we light the candle of hope, we ask that hope burns in our hearts. Hope, dreaming, and wonder as we celebrate the life of those we have known and loved. As we light the candle of peace, we ask that we find peace in our heart as we grow to accept the mysteries of this world.

We pray with hope, God of power and mercy, may we open our hearts to understand and be welcoming to those around us. We pray for peace in our heart God, so that we may share your wisdom and become one with you when you come in glory.  

Like the Coolamon, may our bodies, minds and spirits become places of rest, reflection and renewal this Advent so that our capacity to love and be loved is strengthened. 

General News Catholic Identity

On Friday, December 8,  St Anne’s College community were blessed to have both Fr. Rene Ramirez RCJ and Fr Ruel Desamparado RCJ lead us in our end of school year Mass and celebration at Christ the King Church. The day was made more special for our students in Foundation to Year 11, staff and members of the St Anne’s College community as we were joined by  parishioners from St Mel’s Parish. 

Our students in all year levels had the opportunity to participate through ministries including Altar Servers, Lectors, Gospel procession, General Intercession, Offertory procession, Choir, Acknowledgment of Country and through being part of the wider community during the Mass. Some of our students who recently undertook their First Reconciliation brought up the gifts, two others were Altar Servers. Our Grade 3 & 4 students, including those who had recently completed their Sacramental Journey of Confirmation and First Eucharist, were in our very first St Anne’s College choir, while others read the General Intercessions. 

During the Mass we gave thanks for all those who have helped and guided us this year. We also took the opportunity to ask for God’s support as we remember with gratitude the gift that the life of Ruby Gribbin, one of our Year 7 students, was for our school community. We ask for you to remember Ruby, her family, friends and our school community in your prayers as we move through this period of Advent towards Christmas.

At the end of the Mass our College Captains and House Captains for 2024 were announced. Our College Captains for 2024 are Chiara Villani and Jesse Minicozzi. House Captains for Montessori – Dante Mori & Zoe Monteleone, Majella House Captains – Riley Carkeek & Emily Zampaglione. House Captains for Cooper – Charli Guppy and Courtney Miller, House Captains for Charles – Delana Cavallaro-Trask & Matisse O’Brien. As next year is the first year St. Anne’s College will run a complete Year 12 program, the announcement of our inaugural school captains was highly anticipated. All nominees have been active participants during the year in school activities and volunteered to assist across all areas of the Mass. We are very proud of how our new school leaders have been representing our community and look forward to seeing them grow from strength to strength as they lead our students next year. 

As our end of year Mass fell on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the end of the celebration our students in Foundation , Grade 1 and Grade 2 sang the Recessional Hymn, We walk with Mary. They were uplifting, enthusiastic and an example of how amazing our young people are at St Anne’s College while on their journey of Faith wisdom and learning.  From all at St Anne’s College we thank you for your ongoing support and wish you and your loved ones a blessed and safe Christmas.

Religious Education Leader: Elizabeth Holligan

St Mel’s Parish and St Malachy’s Parish celebrations. 

St Anne’s College students have supported St Mel’s Shepparton and St Malachy’s Nagambie Parish celebrations over the past three weeks. Our students reverently supported Bishop Shane and Fr Rene and Fr Ruel as servers and in other roles. If you would like your child to be trained as an Altar Server, lector, choir member or other ministry in the parish please contact St Mel’s parish on 5831 2194 or myself at St Anne’s College for more information.