St Francis Xavier’s Feast Day - 3rd December 2024

St Francis Xavier is the patron saint of our school and of Roman Catholic Missions. He was one of the founders of the Jesuit Order and had a willingness to bring the Gospel to people who had never heard of Jesus. St Francis Xavier became a priest and a Jesuit. In 1541, he left Europe and sailed to Asia, spending the rest of his life spreading the Catholic faith in India, Japan, and other lands.

Facts about St Francis Xavier:

He was one of the original seven co-founders of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order) along with St. Ignatius of Loyola, a friendship that changed his life and led him to become a missionary.
He converted thousands to Christianity and baptised many. He learnt and adapted to many local traditions and languages to spread his message.
St. Francis Xavier was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 12, 1622.

Saint Francis Xavier showed many virtues in his life. He was always looking for ways to bring the message of Jesus to new places, even when it meant facing dangers. His courage was clear in the way he faced unknown lands, different languages and unfriendly leaders. St Francis showed perseverance. He did not give up, even when things were hard. He faced illness, loneliness and long journeys by sea. He continued to trust the God would help him and kept moving forward.

As Catholics, we can learn from St Francis Xavier’s example. His life shows us that sharing the faith requires effort and courage, as well as love and patience for those who may not want to agree with us. We can start small by sharing the faith with those around us; family, friends, children and teachers.

To celebrate, we will be having a prayer service on Tuesday 3rd of December on the main playground, as part of our morning assembly. The students will also be ‘sailing with St Francis Xavier’, where their classes will be presented with a small figurine of St Francis Xavier. Each class will be given a set of task cards to complete throughout the week to learn more about his life, love of Jesus and missionary as well as other resources to acknowledge our feast day.

If you would like to take the time to journey with St Francis Xavier, you are invited to join in a special pilgrimage with St Francis Xavier and follow in the footsteps of this inspirational saint by praying a Novena.

St Francis Xavier - Novena Prayer

“ I will go anywhere and do anything in order to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him’

- St Francis Xavier

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal - 2024

During Term 4, Vinnies begins its annual Christmas Appeal, seeking donations and funds to help support people during the festive season. Christmas can be challenging for many, especially those struggling just to get by each day. Sharing the joy of Christmas can be impossible!

For many, there will be no lights on a Christmas tree because their electricity has been disconnected, no special meals because there isn’t enough to put on the table and no presents because the rent is too expensive.

This Christmas, we are asking our St Francis Xavier community to give people the break they need and support families to make ends meet. You will receive information about our 2024 Christmas Appeal via Compass. This year, we will be gifting gifts to children in poorer areas of NSW to help a child celebrate Christmas. By donating and giving, we are changing someone’s Christmas!

Vinnies Christmas Card Competition - 2024

The St Vincent de Paul Society are running a Christmas Card competition:

‘Submit your Christmas Card designs for a chance to win a $50 Vinnies Voucher and have your art features in the 2025 Christmas Appeal!’

Details of the Vinnies Christmas Card Competition can be found on their website:

https://www.vinnies.org.au/act-surrounds/get-involved/schools-engagement-act-surrounds

Advent

On Sunday 1st December, we celebrate the beginning of Advent and the Church’s liturgical year. Advent is the season of hope and expectation, where we reflect on the arrival of Jesus Christ. Each Friday during Advent, the Year 5 & 6 SRC will be preparing an Advent prayer for the morning assembly. The first Advent prayer will take place on Friday 29th November. May we all follow an advent Journey where Hope becomes peace, peace becomes joy, joy becomes love and love becomes Christ.

Parish News

Fr Richard Gates