Deputy Principal

Merry Christmas

A central part of the Christian faith and our Franciscan spirituality is the belief in the Incarnation. This belief - that God became human in the person of Jesus - was important to Saint Francis’ understanding of God, the human person, and the world in which he lived. Throughout his life, he sought to make people’s understanding of the Incarnation come alive. On Christmas Day in 1223, in the town of Greccio, Saint Francis did something entirely new: He re-enacted the story of Jesus’s birth. To our knowledge, this kind of devotion had never been done before.

In his account of the Greccio story in his biography of Saint Francis of Assisi, Thomas of Celano writes:

“The day of gladness drew nigh, the time of exultation arrived. The brethren, were summoned from many places; the men and women of that town with exulting hearts prepared tapers and torches, as they were able to illuminate that night which with its radiant Star has illuminated all the days and years. At length the Saint of God came, and finding all things prepared, beheld them and rejoiced. The manger had been made ready, the hay ass were led in. There Simplicity was honoured, Poverty exalted, Humility commended; and of Greccio there was made as it were a new Bethlehem. The night was lit up as the day, and was delightful to men and beasts. The people came, and at the new Mystery rejoiced with new rejoicing. The woodland rang with voices, the rocks made answer to the jubilant throng. The brethren sang, yielding due praises to the Lord, and all that night resounded with jubilation. The Saint of God stood before the manger, full of sighs, overcome with tenderness and filled with wondrous joy” (First Life, 30).

In his 2019 Apostolic Letter Admirabile signum, Pope Francis reflects on this event in Greccio and considers the meaning and importance of the nativity scene. Channelling the spirit of Saint Francis, Pope Francis reminds us: 

“The nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture. As we contemplate the Christmas story, we are invited to set out on a spiritual journey, drawn by the humility of the God who became human in order to encounter every man and woman. We come to realise that so great is God’s love for us that God became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with God.” 

Yesterday as part of our Christmas Liturgy, staff and students were invited to reflect upon the Christmas story in light of the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures. In retelling the story of Greccio – complete with chickens, piglets, goats, sheep and a donkey! -  we contemplated our relationship with creation and what we ae called to be: to be good and do good, for all people and all of creation. 

I extend to all students and families the peace and joy of the Christmas Season. May the celebration of the birth of the Christ child renew your faith in our loving God and hope for our world. Travel safely. Peace and all good always. 

Volunteers Needed

I would like to extend my gratitude to all students and families who have contributed so generously to our Vinnies Christmas hampers this year. These hampers will be finalised on Wednesday 26 November and presented to representatives of the Saint Vincent de Paul Kedron Conference at our Christmas liturgy on Thursday 27 November.

As with previous years, we do require families to assist with the delivery of these hampers. This will take place on Sunday 14 December from 9.00am. We will meet in the San Damiano Centre, Somerset Road. Each team will deliver hampers to at least two families in Kedron or Stafford. The deliveries usually take about 1 hour. 

It is essential that students are assisted by a parent/carer/other family member with a vehicle (drivers). 

If your family is able to assist, I invite drivers (parents/carers) to complete this form: 

Please note: To avoid disappointment and to ensure every team has the chance to deliver at least two hampers, we will limit the number of delivery teams to twenty-five. The volunteer form will be monitored each day and will be closed when we have reached our required number of volunteers.