R.E. News
Religious Education Dates for 2024
Whole School Mass/Events
- Thursday 12th December - Year 6 Graduation at 6pm
- Friday 13th December - End of School Mass at 9am
Children’s Liturgy
The reintroduction of Children's Liturgy at St Mark's Church is up and running and looking for more volunteers!
The Children's Liturgy provides a great opportunity for primary aged children to engage with the gospel in a way that is accessible and meaningful to them. It runs every Sunday at the St Mark's 9:30am mass during school terms. At the start of mass the Children’s Liturgy adult leaders take the primary school age children into the hall for a small lesson and activity about the gospel of the day. Parents are welcome to join the session if they would like. If any parents are interested in volunteering to help with the Sunday sessions, please email Andrew Davies - andrew@smdingley.catholic.edu.au
Gospel Reflection by Dianne Bergant CSA
Although this is not the last Sunday of the liturgical year, the major theme found in the readings is the end of time. The events that will usher in and will take place during this time are described in apocalyptic terms. The struggles of life will culminate in a massive cosmic confrontation between the forces of good and those of evil. This last battle will be universal in scope, just like the first primordial conflict between chaos and God.
In some way, all of today’s readings state that good will finally prevail over evil. In the last days Michael, the angelic warrior of God, will rise up. In the epistle, Christ is pictured seated triumphantly at the right hand of God with his enemies under his foot, a sign of conquest. Finally, in the gospel, the Son of Man, the mysterious figure from apocalyptic literature, comes in the clouds with great power and glory. All of these images are apocalyptic; each of them is quite hopeful.
We read these stories at the close of the liturgical year, because we are coming to the conclusion of our yearly telling of the story of salvation. However, apocalyptic images are timely whenever we find ourselves in the throes of the battle with evil and it appears that we will succumb. These forms will remind us that good will be able to withstand evil. From this we will conclude that we need only trust in God.
St Mark's Christmas Family Mass Nativity Play
For families attending the Christmas Eve 6pm mass at St. Mark's Church, if your child/ren would like to participate in the nativity play please attend the rehearsals (dates and times listed OR dates and times to be advised soon). The nativity play and carols commence at 5:30pm on Christmas Eve, so please arrive 5 minutes beforehand. For children who are unable to make the rehearsals but would still like to participate, please dress as either a shepherd or an angel and arrive at church at 5:25pm on Christmas Eve. If your child would like to participate or carols please email Andrew Davies at andrew@smdingley.catholic.edu.au by Friday 6th December.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 2024
SATURDAY 21 Dec
RECONCILIATION
2nd Rite Reconciliation 7.30pm (St Joseph's)
10am - 12pm (both St Joseph and St Mark)
MONDAY 23 Dec
10am - 11.30am (both St Joseph and St Mark)
FRIDAY 13 Dec
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Christmas Carols 7.30pm (St Joseph's)
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Vigil Mass 24 Dec
ST JOSEPH'S CHURCH
6pm - family Mass
7.30pm - Mass in Maltese
9.30pm - Mass in Vietnamese
11.30pm - Christmas carols
Midnight Mass
ST MARK'S CHURCH
5.30pm - Christmas Carols
5.45pm - Christmas Play
6pm - Vigil Christmas Family Mass
Christmas Day 25 Dec
ST JOSEPH'S Church
Mass time: 8am; 11am and 3pm
ST MARK'S Church
9.30am Mass