Catholic Identity
Christmas Eve Mass – Wednesday 24th December at 6.00pm
St Mary’s Primary school is very excited to be hosting the Parish’s Christmas Eve Mass in the Brigidine Centre on Christmas Eve at 6.00pm. We hope you will join with us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Learners will be asked to come to the Altar twice during the Mass: to sing the ‘Alleluia!’ to welcome the Gospel and to end our Mass with the singing of ‘Lying in a manger.’
St Mary’s Parish Christmas Mass Timetable:
Christmas Eve:
- 6.00pm at St Mary’s Primary School (Brigidine Centre)
- 10.00pm at St Mary’s Church
Christmas Day:
- 9.30am at St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Giving Tree
Our community has provided an overwhelming and generous response to ‘The Giving Tree’. Thank you for your generosity as you reached out to those who may not have all that we will receive during the Christmas season.
Christmas is more than just getting presents; it's about the spirit of giving, love, family, faith (Jesus's birth), acts of kindness, and creating memories, shifting focus from material things to togetherness and generosity, especially towards those in need.
While gift-giving is a tradition, many people find true meaning in experiences, service, and presence over presents.
May each of us be reminded of the gift we are to each other, particularly during the season of Christmas.
The season of Advent
This week we have entered the third week of Advent.
The third week of Advent is centred on joy, often called ‘Gaudete Sunday’ (Latin for ‘Rejoice!’). The lighting of the pink candle represents the shepherds' joy at Jesus' birth and the deep, faith-rooted happiness of Christ's coming.
This week encourages us to share the inner joy and hope, even amidst life's struggles, preparing hearts for the "good news of great joy".
How will you share your joy in the lead up to Christmas Day?
Heavenly Father,
As we light the pink candle of joy this week,
we thank You for the joy of Jesus' birth.
Fill us with the joy that only You can bring.
Help us remember that true joy
comes from Your love,
not from gifts or things.
Let our hearts be light and hopeful
as we prepare for our Savior.
May we carry this joy into our daily lives
and share it with everyone we meet.
Amen.
Gratitude
Sincere gratitude and thanks are extended to Brianna Devitt and Kay Devitt for their time and skill in sewing new Choir gowns and stolls for each of St Mary’s Choir members.
These gowns were debuted at the Year 6 Graduation Liturgy on Friday. The professional dress of this group matches their voice and dedication to their role.
Thank you very much Bri and Kay.
Thank you also to Linda O’Mahony for volunteering to hem some of our Prayer cloths. To have these cloths neat and orderly reflects the reverence we place with our Prayer spaces in our classrooms.
Thank you, Linda.
If there are any more willing volunteers, please do not be shy, as there are several tubs of Prayer cloths to choose from.