OUR FAITH
PRAYER
Loving God, we thank you for this glad time of year, this Advent season which reminds us of so much, and which reveals so wonderfully the extent of your love. For your coming and coming again in Christ, we thank you in the glory of your name.
Amen.
We pray ...
We pray for... all students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, for Mrs Leanne Hannaford and her family on the sad passing of her mother, for all Year 12 students, in particular, the McCarthy Catholic College students as their exams draw to an end, for our Year 6 students who are in their final weeks of primary schooling, for our St Nicholas Community as we begin the journey through the season of Advent.
THE SEASON OF ADVENT – Begins this Sunday
This coming Sunday (28th November) marks the first week of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word for an "arrival" or a "coming". Advent is the season when we remember the anticipation of Christ's first coming, and we pray for the return of Christ again. With the beginning of the season of Advent, we begin a new liturgical year. The Advent wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; This is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming.
ST NICHOLAS FEAST DAY - WHOLE SCHOOL MASS-END OF YEAR AWARDS
This year our End of Year Mass will be on Monday 6th December. This Mass will be a Whole School Mass beginning at 9.30am with ALL students to be dressed in full summer uniform.
Unfortunately, due to restrictions, there will be limits as to the numbers of parents and friends that are able to join us here at school. We will be extending an invitation to the Yr 6 parents. Due to current restrictions, it is only the parents of these children that will be able to attend and both parents will need to be fully vaccinated. We will be providing a recording of the Mass and award presentation for parents to view if they are unable to attend. At this Mass, we will formally acknowledge and farewell our Year 6 students as well as present our annual awards.
CHRISTMAS JOY - MUFTI DAY
On Friday 10th December we will be having a 'Christmas Joy' Mufti Day to support the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal. Students are asked to bring in a gold coin donation. Students will be allowed to wear Christmas coloured clothing, Christmas shirt, tinsel in hair etc. (no coloured hair spray). Hat and enclosed shoes are essential.
CONFIRMATION - (Year 6)
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held this weekend of 27th and 28th November 2021.
Reconciliation for Confirmation Candidates
If candidates did not attend Reconciliation on Thursday 18th November they will need to attend Parish Reconciliation on Saturday 27th November between 4pm-5pm.