St James Religious Dimension

Welcome back everyone for our final term for 2024! It has already been a busy one with a number of events happening in the R.E space

St James Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal

As part of our Social Justice initiatives at St James, we continue to challenge our students to SEE!, THINK!, DO! and REFLECT! on the change they can make in our world.

This term we will launch our Christmas Appeal with our St James Christmas Hampers and Giving Tree at our Week 4 Assembly. Please keep an eye out for information about how you can donate.

We will present the hampers to the St Vincent De Paul Gardenvale conference during our Christmas Carols on Friday 29th of November. 

GEN BRYANT 

We were very lucky to have Gen Bryant and her team come to visit us on Monday and share her faith and love and music with us. It was lovely to come together in prayer at the end of the day.

We look forward to Gen and her team joining us for the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday

CONFIRMATION REFLECTION DAY

On Monday the Year 6 students participated in a reflection day in final preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The students were involved in a number of activities including Gen Bryant and traveling to St Joan of Arc to have a run through of the Mass. We also welcomed Bishop Tony Ireland today who talked to the students and reflected on the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and how they can be used in their day to day lives.

A VERY big thank you to all the parents for putting on the most beautiful lunch for the students to share. We look forward to sharing the Sacrament of Confirmation with the students this Sunday, 20th of November at St Joan of Arc at 2pm.

UPDATE OF INFORMATION

If your child has been Baptised since their enrolment can you please provide a copy of the certificate to the office so our records can be updated.

SECONDARY ENROLMENTS

If there are any parents that require dates or a letter confirming sacraments, please email eherbert@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au and I will be able to provide that information for you. 

Important Dates

TERM 4

Sunday 20th October - Confirmation Mass, St Joan of Arc @ 2pm (TIME CHANGE)

Friday 1st November - Grandparents Day/ All Saints ParaLiturgy @ 11:30am lead by Year 3

Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day Paraliturgy @ 3:15pm lead by Prep

Friday 29th November - Christmas Carols and Christmas Hampers presented to St Vincent De Paul

TBC - End of Year prayer service

Monday 16th December - Graduation Mass, 5pm @ Star of the Sea Chapel

Emmaus Parish which includes St Finbar's, St Joan of Arc & St James 

Phone number: 7064 3923

To access the weekly Parish Bulletin please go to the website

https:// www.melbcatholic.org/s/brightoneast

Emma Herbert

Deputy Principal - RE Leader 

eherbert@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au

Wellbeing

The Legacy of Values: Shaping Future Generations

As a chaplain, I have the unique opportunity to reflect on the values we instil in our children. The trajectory of generations has shown that our values can significantly impact not just individual lives but entire societal norms.

The Generational Values Timeline

Greatest Generation (born 1901-1927): Resilience and hard work.

• Impact: Focus on survival led to sacrifices in family time.

Silent Generation (born 1928-1945): Conformity and family loyalty.

• Impact: A return to traditional family values, often at the expense of personal aspirations.

Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964): Individualism and social justice.

• Impact: A push for rights and opportunities, leading to shifts in family dynamics.

Generation X (born 1965-1980): Skepticism and work-life balance.

• Impact: Balancing career ambitions with personal fulfillment.

Millennials (born 1981-1996): Diversity and sustainability.

• Impact: A focus on meaningful experiences and social responsibility.

Generation Z (born 1997-2012): Authenticity and mental health awareness.

• Impact: Advocating for social change and wellness.

The Importance of Values

Values shape not just individual choices but the collective conscience of society. For instance, valuing hard work during the Great Depression prioritised economic survival over family connections. As a result, later generations swung towards individualism and social justice, seeking balance and personal fulfilment.

Predicting Future Impacts

Reflecting on past generations, it’s worth considering whether they could have predicted the long-term effects of their focus on certain values. For example, the emphasis on hard work and economic success during the Great Depression may have inadvertently contributed to a culture of overwork and stress that later generations grappled with. Similarly, the rise of individualism in the Baby Boomer era paved the way for greater personal freedoms, but it also fostered a sense of isolation for some. The current mental health crisis highlights how the values of previous generations—often focused on achievement and independence—may have overlooked the importance of community, connection, and emotional well-being. Recognising these patterns can inform our current values, guiding us to foster a more balanced and supportive environment for future generations.

The Value of Family and your Spouse and Connection

One essential aspect often overlooked is the value we place on our spouse. Prioritising your relationship with your partner first and then your children sets a strong foundation for family life. When parents model a healthy, respectful relationship, children learn the importance of partnership, communication, and commitment. They will see how to value their spouse when that time comes around. Value for our spouse can slip during a marriage life especially when we live now in a new generation where two incomes are required and so much attention is needed for our kids.

As the saying goes, "You can’t pour from an empty cup." If we invest in our relationship first, we are better equipped to support and nurture our children.

Asking our partners how to fill each others cup might be a rewarding discussion this week. I know as a guy I can be too functional and just talk tasks that need doing and miss out being present with my spouse. There are many ways we can improve by simply adding in 5-10min just being present to each other, perhaps even have a quick dance in-between tasks. Marriage is and can be very rewarding, we can forget that connection doesn’t require as much preparation as our wedding day did. All that work to get to the point we are looking at each other holding hands at the altar. But we don’t have to do all that work again and again, it requires making a priority shift, a value shift, especially after this priority is knocked down the list of priorities when kids come along and we get even more busy.

Current Challenges

Today, we face a new set of challenges. With the rise of technology and screen time, we risk sidelining important values such as connection to nature and quality family time. If we do not consciously impart these values, future generations may struggle with a disconnection from both the natural world and meaningful relationships and relationship with God.

Being Conscious of Our Values

1. Modelling Behaviour: Actively engage in family activities that prioritise nature, conversation, and community. Lead by example.
2. Creating Tech-Free Zones: Establish times or areas in the home where technology is put aside, encouraging interaction and connection.
3. Emphasising Mindfulness: Teach children to appreciate the present moment, fostering a deeper connection to their surroundings and loved ones.
4. Encouraging Outdoor Experiences: Organise family outings that celebrate nature—hiking, gardening, or simply spending time outdoors.
5. Fostering Emotional Intelligence: Teach children to express their feelings and understand the importance of relationships, creating a foundation for empathy and social awareness.
6. Encouraging family prayer time: This is a good opportunity to listen to each other and assess where each person is at and what their needs are.

Conclusion

As we navigate our rapidly changing world, it’s crucial to reflect on the values we impart to the next generation. By being intentional in our approach, we can ensure that our children grow up grounded in principles that foster connection, compassion, and a deep appreciation for the world around them. In doing so, we help them become responsible stewards of their own values and the trajectory of humanity.

This is why the teachings of Jesus and the Gospel are so important today and every day. We witness the impact of generational hatred and negative values manifesting in conflicts and divisions that are happening today. Yet, we are called to hold firm to God’s teachings: “Unless you forgive, God will not forgive you” (Matthew 6:15). God sees all generations and their trajectories, which is why forgiveness is such a vital value. When anyone decides to gaze at and foster resentment, terrible things can happen to our souls and society.

We are all doing the best we can with the resources we have, but we must strive to improve each day. By embracing forgiveness and nurturing positive values, we can break the cycle and cultivate a brighter future for generations to come.

Corey Payton 

Chaplain