Message from the Director of Schools

Dear Colleagues,

As we head towards the final weeks of the school year, I would like to thank you for your hard work and efforts this year. It has been such a special year as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ this Jubilee Year. Thank you for how you have embraced the theme in your own communities. Please see this short video that captures some of the great messages from some of our schools. 

Australian Catholic Youth Festival 

It was wonderful to see how our young people immersed themselves in the experience of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival. They sang, danced, prayed and made the most of the experience. It was truly a joy for me to be part of this. They met lots of people from across Australia including Cardinal Mykola, Arch Bishops, Bishops and many more. We were so honoured to be one of only 12 groups chosen to carry the World Youth Day Cross and Icon through the streets of Melbourne. 

The staff who accompanied them were outstanding. They coped with some interesting situations including 6000 people walking 5 km in the rain from the Cathedral to convention centre, trams with a group of 60 and long long train trips. They calmly led and cared for our students. Thank you to Damian Roff and Kate Frazier (ACS), Emily Smith (OCC), Georgia Mackson and Peter Iuso (MCC), Mary-Jane Guest and Sean Baldwin (Holy Trinity), Sandra Garnett (SMC) and Cath Moylan and Bella McGrath (St Philomena’s).

Second Sunday of Advent 

The second candle, lit last Sunday, embodies the theme of Faith. It is named the Bethlehem Candle in honor of the prophet Micah's prediction that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of Jesus. During this second week of Advent, we reflect on our lives in preparation for Jesus’ coming. We remember the journey Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem. 

Christmas Message

I would like to take this opportunity to wish a very happy and holy Christmas. I hope that you get time to reflect on Jesus’ birth in a stable in Bethlehem. From such a simple birth God became man and our Saviour. I hope that you reflect on the enormity of this and the real message of Christmas during this busy time. 

During this holiday time, I hope that you can relax and rest. Enjoy and celebrate!

Merry Christmas

Regina 

A few ACYF DOS Selfies!