Religion and Parish News
Prayer
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation:
In the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you
In this food and in our sharing.
Blessed are you as we wait in joyful hope
For the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power
And the glory are yours,
Now and forever.
Amen
Lap-a-thon Fundraiser
As you would have read in previous Term 4 newsletters, Pope Francis called for October to be an Extraordinary Missionary Month, which was to be a worldwide occasion of prayer, sharing stories of mission, formation and charity.
Throughout Weeks 2, 3 and 4, our students participated in lessons about mission and made strong fundraising efforts, despite the tough financial conditions many people in our hometown are facing themselves. In just the 3 weeks of fundraising, close to $400 was raised for Catholic Mission, who will use this money to help support the people of Ghana. On top of this, St Xavier’s will be hosting their biennial ‘Lap-a-thon’, with those funds also contributing to our fundraising efforts for Catholic Mission. More information about the ‘Lap-a-thon’ will come out later in the term as Primary Sport draws to a close.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
As we prepare for Christmas, we are reminded of those in our community who are less fortunate than us, and who may not have a very merry Christmas at all. Over the next few weeks, students are encouraged to donate items that can be used to help struggling families celebrate Christmas. These items will be collected by workers from the Gunnedah St Vincent de Paul branch at assembly on Monday, Week 10. Children can donate festive items such as bon bons, eating utensils, paper plates, non-perishable festive food used on Christmas Day (packets of nuts, chips, crackers, etc). Any monetary donations will also be gratefully accepted. St Vincent de Paul already have a lot of tinned food from previous donations, and are trying to steer away from those types of donations, as well as gift-type donations, such as toys.
Upcoming Masses
Next Tuesday, 3rd of December (Week 8), St Xavier’s will be recognising the life and work of our school’s Patron Saint, Saint Francis Xavier. To mark this day, St Xavier’s staff and students will be celebrating an End of Year Mass, which will be held in St Joseph’s Church at 9:30am. All members of our school community are warmly invited to attend this Mass and help us celebrate how special 2019 has been.
On Thursday 12th of December, St Xavier’s will be farewelling the Year 6 students in a Graduation Mass at St Joseph’s Church. Mass will start at 5:30pm and will be a beautiful lead into the Year 6 Farewell Ceremony, which will be held back at the St Xavier’s School Hall at 7pm.
Key RE Dates
Tuesday Week 8 - End of Year Mass in St Joseph’s Church at 9:30am (Feast of St Francis Xavier)
Thursday Week 9 - Year 6 Graduation Mass in St Joseph’s Church at 5:30pm, followed by Year 6 Farewell at St Xavier’s School Hall at 7pm.
St Joseph's Altar Servers
Saturday 30 November 6.00 pm - Harry Paul, Phoebe Paul, Mitchell Herden
Sunday 1 December 8.30 am - Kate Gander, Bianca Bayliss
Saturday 7 December 6.00 pm - Katie Spinks
Sunday 8 December 8.30 am- Ellyn Blinman, Cooper Blinman, Toby Blinman