Religious Education

                                           ADVENT

Last Sunday marked the first week of Advent, a special time in the Church when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. The first week invites us to focus on hope, trusting in God’s promise and looking forward with joy to the birth of Christ.

The Year Six students led the school in a beautiful liturgy on Monday morning, reflecting on what it means to wait with hope: showing patience, being gentle with others, and creating moments of quiet to listen for God’s presence. Lighting the first candle of the Advent wreath reminds us that even a small light can guide us and those around us. It was lovely to have a small number of families join us for this time for preparation and prayer.

May this first week of Advent fill your homes with hope and anticipation as we look toward the celebration of Christmas.

Advent Liturgies

Over the next two weeks, on Monday mornings, at 8:50 am, we will gather in the MPR to celebrate the season of Advent. We will be led in these short reflective services by the Year Six students and Mr. Schinck. All members of our community are more than welcome to attend these liturgies. 

Stop! We have hope.

We just have to stop.  Getting ready for Christmas means lots of things to do and buy, cook, wrap, and write.  Getting ready for Jesus is a different kind of getting ready; we just have to stop, even if only long enough to light an Advent candle.  

Reflection 

God you are bigger than we can imagine, 

but you made yourself small enough to hold. 

God you are more wonderful than we can imagine, 

but you made yourself ordinary enough to sleep in a stable. 

God you are mightier than we can imagine, 

but you made yourself fragile enough for people to care for.  

God you are more amazing than we can imagine, 

but you made yourself down to earth. 

When we imagine we are too busy to stop and be with you, 

help us to remember that you stopped being big and 

wonderful and mighty and awesome to be with us. 

Hope is a very special word; it expresses our desire that things can be better not just for ourselves and for our children, but for everyone and everyone’s children.  It speaks of our Christian understanding that our hope for the world rests in God and God’s ability to transform lives through his son Jesus Christ. 

Children’s Prayer 

Excitement is like lots of fizzy bubbles popping inside us. 

Excitement makes us wriggle and jiggle and giggle. 

Hope is gentler. Hope is quieter. 

When everything seems slow and gloomy, 

Hope holds our hand and helps us walk gently. 

Lord Jesus, you are our hope, and that is exciting! 

Amen 

                       SJV Five Days of Christmas

This week, Ms Fisher and the wonderful Year Five and Six Leaders have organised and managed a fundraising initiative called SJV's Five Days of Christmas to help people in need this holiday season. Each day of this week, different foods and items were suggested as donations. 

Monday: shortbread and mince tarts

Tuesday: wrapping paper and serviettes

Wednesday: soft drink, juice or cordial

Thursday: chocolates, lollies and candy canes

 Friday: Christmas decorations and bonbons

The items are packed into hampers by the volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul and delivered to people in our local community so they can enjoy Christmas, feel cared for, and know they’re not alone.

Thank you so much to all of the incredible SJV families who have donated. Donations will be collected on Monday afternoon (December 8th), so there is still time to donate!

Key Dates for Term 4 2025

December 11th  Whole School Mass 9:15 am  This Mass is our end-of-year school Mass, but also a Mass of thanksgiving and farewell for our beloved Mrs O'Shannessy.