Catholic Identity
LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS, LOVE YOU
Week 1 ADVENT Begins- ‘Hope’
The first purple candle is the “Candle of Hope.” It symbolizes the hope we have in Christ and our desire to spend eternity (and also the present!) with Him.
During the first week of Advent, we wait for Jesus with hope.
- What does hope mean? Why do we have hope? How do we attain hope? What does hope feel like (contrast to hopelessness)?
- Why does the season of Advent begin with the theme of hope?
- How do Mary and Joseph live the virtue of hope as they await Jesus’ birth? What other saints or Biblical people display hope? How?
- What are the three theological virtues? Why are they important? How do they relate to each other?
- How would we (as individuals or as a family) be different if we fully lived the virtue of hope more fully?
- In what ways are you called to live the virtue of hope this week?
Week 2 ADVENT - ‘Peace’
The angels proclaimed “Peace on Earth” when the Baby Jesus was born. Today we wonder as we listen to the evening news, is peace possible? We all need two kinds of peace in our lives. We need inner peace, but we also need peace with others. God addresses both. He tells us what to do to find that peace.
INNER PEACEInner peace begins with a relationship with God, and it continues as we focus on his strength and trust him to fill us.
If inner peace is eluding you these days and anxiety is spilling over in your life, choose to trust God. You can choose to put your hand in his and draw from his patience and wisdom as you take each step. He will guide you through the maze of life if you ask him. Choosing to trust God with those blind corners in your life will take you down the road to inner peace. Choosing not to trust him will take you down the road to stress and worry. Inner peace is there for the choosing.
PEACE WITH OTHERS
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9)
Peace with others begins as we understand that God has called us to be peacemakers in our world. Is there somewhere in your own world where you can be a peacemaker this Christmas? Is there an invitation that needs to be extended to smooth over a fractured family relationship? Is there an apology to be made or a silence to be broken that has stood as a barrier for too long? Don’t miss the blessing God promises in your life as you respond to his call to be a peacemaker in your own circle.
We can help bring peace to our world one heart at a time.
Prayer the Prayer of Saint Francis as we contemplate PEACE ON EARTH!
‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, only joy.’
Catholic Identity Events and Reminders
Week 8
Fridays, 29th November: Whole School Assembly led by the F/1 students with a focus on the first week of Advent @ 9am in the courtyard
Week 9
Thursday, 5th December: ALTAR SERVERS END OF YEAR CHRISTMAS PICNIC @ 11am till 11.40am (food and drinks supplied) in the St Brendan’s Church Garden.
Week 9
Friday, 6th December: WHOLE SCHOOL END OF YEAR MASS and YEAR 6 GRADUATION CEREMONY @ 10.15am at St Brendan’s Church
Week 10
Thursday, 12th December: WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY for Paula’s RETIREMENT to be held at 9am in the Courtyard
CHRISTMAS EVE
Tuesday, 24th December: St Brendan’s Church CHILDRENS MASS @5pm (Wanted Children to dress up as Angels, Shepherds, Kings, the Inn Keeper, Mary and Joseph).
There will be a rehearsal on the weekend prior to this week. More information to come.
Kind Regards,
Leanne Pellegrino (Catholic Identity Leader)