✝️Faith and Mission

Small Signs of God's Presence

By Fr Henri Nouwen

Our salvation comes from something small, tender, and vulnerable, something hardly noticeable. God, who is the Creator of the Universe, comes to us in smallness, weakness, and hiddenness.

 

I find this a hopeful message. Somehow, I keep expecting loud and impressive events to convince me and others of God's saving power; but over and over again, I am reminded that spectacles, power plays, and big events are the ways of the world. Our temptation is to be distracted by them and made blind to the “shoot that shall sprout from the stump.”

When I have no eyes for the small signs of God's presence – the smile of a baby, the carefree play of children, the words of encouragement and gestures of love offered by friends – I will always remain tempted to despair.

 

The small child of Bethlehem, the unknown man of Nazareth, the rejected preacher, the naked man on the cross, he asks for my full attention. The work of salvation takes place in the midst of a world that continues to shout, scream, and overwhelm us with its claims and promises. But the promise is hidden in the shoot that sprouts from the stump, a shoot that hardly anyone notices.


2025 Winter Appeal

This year Young Vinnies are running our Mazenod Winter Appeal during Weeks 7 - 9 of this term. Please give generously, by donating items to your Form Room. This year we are supporting The Shopfront in Bentley and St Pat’s Community Centre in Fremantle, to ensure that what we collect goes to those in need.

 

Below is a list of needed goods. Please ensure that all non-perishable food are in code. Any expired food will not be able to be used and will have to be disposed of by the College.

 

Hamper List

 

Food  Items:

Spaghetti-CansSpaghetti / Pasta / Rice
Baked beans-CansPasta sauce
Soup - CansWeetbix, Porridge, Cereals
“Cup a soup”Tinned Fruit
2 Minute NoodlesBaby Food - Cans
TunaLong life milk
Cans of vegies – corn, peas, tomatoesTea 
Meats – Cans eg. Spam, Braised beef Coffee
Honey, JamSugar
Peanut Butter, VegemiteMilo
Savoury biscuitsMuesli Bars
Sweet BiscuitsSnack packs

 

Non Food Items:

Cloth Shopping Bags / Strong Plastic BagsDisposable Nappies – all sizes
ToothpasteBaby Wipes
ToothbrushesTissues – small packets
SoapCombs / Brushes
DeodorantBlankets
Shampoo / ConditionerMen’s Socks & underwear
RazorsSleeping Bags
Shaving CreamWomen’s  Underwear & Socks
Sanitary NapkinsSunscreen – small tubes
TamponsBackpacks - black

Chapel Flower Roster

 

Damian Wallis

Director of Faith and Mission