Family Educator's Corner

“I plead with you — never, ever give up on hope; 

never doubt, never tire and never become discouraged. 

Be not afraid.” 

- St. John Paul II

Dear St Martha’s Families

I hope you all had a blessed First Sunday of Advent last Sunday. As many of you know, the first day of Advent is also the First Day of the Liturgical year.

Advent

The word “Advent” is from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Every year, Advent includes four Sundays, beginning the Sunday nearest the feast of St Andrew the Apostle (30 November) and continuing until 24 December. 

Advent is a season of devout and joyful preparation for the coming of Jesus.

Advent Wreaths 

The wreaths are made with a circle of evergreen branches (symbolising life) and hold four candles representing the four weeks of Advent.

Last Sunday, we lit the first purple candle, which represents Hope. Hope reminds us that good things are coming, even if when we can’t see them yet. The first candle is also called the “Prophecy Candle”, and reminds us of Isaiah's foretelling of the birth of Christ and all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament that would be fulfilled by the birth of Jesus.

This coming Sunday, we’ll be lighting the second purple candle, which represents Peace. Often called the “Bethlehem Candle,” the second Advent candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Our Lady gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem). 

The third Sunday of Advent, which the Church calls “Gaudete Sunday”, meaning rejoice or praise, and represents the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem, even before the wise men. The third candle symbolyses Joy, it is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and its color is pink, the liturgical color for joy.

The fourth candle of Advent represents Love, the endless, unconditionall love that God has for us all, which is made apparent in the birth of His Son. Called the “Angel’s Candle,” the fourth candle of Advent is lit the Sunday before Christmas, and it is purple, it reminds us to reflect on the good news of God's love brought to us from the angel Gabriel. This is the last week to prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas. 

Family and Faith Initiatives

• Sunday 7 December at 10am: Term 4 K-6 Family Mass followed by morning tea

• Monday, 8 December: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUppdkbtW3k&t=10s

   

• Tuesday 16 December: Carols at the Cathedral:  https://stmaryscathedral.org.au/events/carols-at-the-cathedral-2025/ 

  https://sydneycatholic.eventsair.com/carols-at-the-cathedral-2025/catc2025/Site/Register 

• 17-25 December: CHRISTMAS at the CATHEDRAL  https://christmasatthecathedral.org.au/ 

• 14-17 January 2026: Girls (aged 10 to 13 y.o.) Camp at Mulgoa (please, see flyer attached)

• 18-23 January 2026 Theology of the Body course with Christopher West at Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, could you please email  elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au if you’re interested in attending the Theology of the Body course

Family Mass Sunday 7 December 2025 at 10am

Here is the link to RSVP to our K-6 Family Mass on 7 December: K-6 Family Mass+Morning Tea 7 Dec 2025 (RSVPs will close on 1 December), thank you.

EMMAUS: Spiritual Accompaniment for Women

Applications are open for the 2026 cohort of Emmaus: Spiritual Accompaniment for Women. You can click here for more info: https://catholicwomensnetwork.org/emmaus/ Please email elena.razzoli@syd.catholic.edu.au if you’re interested in becoming a Mentor or Mentee for Emmaus, or if you have any questions.

“May we be in this world 

a ray of that light 

which shone forth from Bethlehem, 

bringing joy and peace 

to the hearts of all men and women.” 

– Pope Francis