Catholic Identity 

In this newsletter...

• RE Dates for your diary

• Christmas Message

• Sacraments 2026

• Community Masses 2026

RE Dates for your diary...

• Friday 13th Feb. - Opening School Mass, 9am

• Saturday 15th Feb. - Community Mass, 10am

Christmas Message

For people surrounded by department store decorations, commercials, Christmas carols, special foods, and the like, believing that the Christmas celebration actually evolved from the humble story of a young woman giving birth in the straw is a stretch. It might help to focus on the characters involved.

What do you think went through Joseph’s mind as he witnessed Mary giving birth to a baby? What do you think went through Mary’s mind as she struggled with the birth experience?

The Christmas story is full of symbols. Jesus, who becomes our bread and wine – our nourishment – is laid in a manger, the feeding trough for the animals. Jesus, who is the champion of poor people, is born into a homeless family. Poor shepherds were the first to welcome the Messiah that the Jewish people had been awaiting for generations. The symbol of angels singing, praising God, and flying madly all over the sky was a good clue that something out of the ordinary was happening.

Modern Christmas stories use different symbols to make the same points: Rudolph, the ‘poorest’ reindeer, becomes the champion; and Frosty, a snowman, transforms children’s lives.                                                                      -  Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

As we draw close to the conclusion of this Jubilee of Hope, I pray that everyone in our school community experience the hope and joy of this Christmas season - with the assurance that God truly became flesh and dwelt among us - so that we may have eternal life with God in heaven. 

God's blessing and a very merry Christmas from me to you and your families.  John. 

Sacraments 2026

As we look towards 2026, we begin preparing for next year's sacramental program. At the start of next year, during 'Meet & Greets', a letter will be given to families with students in Years 3-6 to indicate their intention to comeplete a sacrament. Students are able to receive the following sacraments:

• Year 3 - First Reconciliation

• Year 4 - First Eucharist, [First Reconciliation ('catch up')]

• Year 5 - [First Eucharist and/or First Reconciliation ('catch up')]

• Year 6 - Confirmation, [First Eucharist and/or First Reconciliation ('catch up')]

Studnets currnetly in Year 2, going into Year 3 in 2026, are already able to indicate their intention for First Reconciliation using the QR Code below:

The Sacramental dates for 2026 are as follows:

Community Masses in 2026

This year Community Masses have been very well-attended and we thank everyone from our school and beyond for attending. It has enabled a strong, warm and vibrant community. After each Mass, many have remained to join in fellowship - a hot drink, a bit to eat, and a friendly conversation. It has been wonderful to see many children running around having fun once everything has been packed away. 

It is also wonderful news that Archbishop Comensoli has confirmed and approved a new church to be built on the church block next to school. This is in no small part due to the strong attendance and vibrancy of the Wyndham Vale Catholic community. 

Next year, Community Masses will begin in January and run all the way through the year on every third sunday of the month. The dates are below - we invite everyone to join us during 2026 for these Masses, as we continue to build up this faith community. 

We encourage you to spread the word of our Community Masses and invite as many family, friends, neighbours and others to these celebrations. 

Follow and like the Wyndham Vale Catholic Community Facebook page to get updates and further information about Community Masses and other events. 

John Dini

jdini@olscwyn.catholic.edu.au 

Catholic Identity Leader