Education in Faith

Our Lord Jesus Christ - King of the Universe - Year B

The End of the Year and a Surprising King!

This week, the Church finishes its "calendar" year called the liturgical year. Next week, we start a brand-new cycle with Advent—a time of waiting and preparing for Jesus’ birth! But before we jump into the new season, we end with something very special: the Feast of Christ the King.

Let’s think about this: What does it mean to be a king? For someone like Pilate, who was part of the powerful Roman Empire, a king meant someone with a throne, armies, and lots of power. So, when Pilate heard Jesus talking about being a king, he got really confused. To Pilate, this sounded like a threat to Rome!

But Jesus wasn’t talking about that kind of king. He didn’t want castles, riches, or armies. Jesus’ idea of being a king was totally different. He taught that in his kingdom—the Kingdom of God—the most important people aren’t the rich or the powerful. Instead, it’s the poor, the sick, and those who are often ignored, like children or widows. In Jesus’ kingdom, being "first" means serving others and putting their needs above your own.

So, when Jesus says he’s a king, he’s not claiming power or authority like Pilate expected. He’s showing us a new kind of leadership—one based on love, kindness, and putting others first. That’s why we celebrate Christ the King: not for his riches or armies, but because he’s a king who came to serve.

Let’s Discuss!

• What do you think it means to be a "king" in Jesus' kingdom?

• Why do you think Pilate had a hard time understanding Jesus?
• Can you think of a way you could "be first by being last" in your own life?
• Why do you think Jesus cared so much about the poor, the sick, and the outcast?
• Why do you think Pilate questioned Jesus the way he did?
• To what ‘truth’ did Jesus come into the world to bear witness?
• How are we called to continue to bear witness to this truth?
• Have you ever felt challenged about what you believe?
• Do you find ‘Christ the King’ a helpful or significant image of Jesus?
• Why did Pilate ask Jesus, ‘Am I a Jew?’
• Do you think the notion of ‘Christ the King’ has been misused at times in history?
• Why might the Church choose to end the liturgical year with this particular feast?
• What does it mean for us that Jesus is ‘king’ of a kingdom filled with the sick, poor and outcast?

Sacramental Events and Dates - 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,

Please take note of the important dates for our Sacramental celebrations that will take place in 2025. Sacraments play a significant role in the spiritual journey of our students and we need to ensure that you are well-informed and can actively participate in these meaningful events. Kindly mark the following dates in your calendar:

Parents please ACCEPT or DECLINE an invitation by Friday 6th December. 

Dates for Sacraments are:

• Grade 2 will receive First Reconciliation in Term 4 on Thursday, 20th November 2025.
   
• Grade 3 will receive First Eucharist in Term 2 on Saturday, 21st June 2025.
   
• Grade 6 will receive Confirmation – Term 3 on Saturday, 6th September 2025.

Reconciliation: baptised Catholics in Year 2.

Eucharist: baptised Catholics in Year 3 or who have celebrated their Reconciliation.

Confirmation: Year 6 Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

If you have any further questions regarding your child receiving these Sacraments, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Advent Retreat for Children and Teens      (ages 5 - 15)

You are all invited to participate in an – engaging, enriching, fun filled and wonderful 2 Day Retreat. 

This is an opportunity for children and teenagers to come together and participate in fun activities, games, object lessons, meaningful discussions, with moments of prayer and reflection to prepare for Christmas in a meaningful way. 

Date: Saturday, Nov 30 and Sunday, Dec 1, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Venue: St Agatha's Church, Cranbourne, VIC

Please read the details on the attached flyer and use the link www.divinekids.com.au  

to enrol children for this retreat.

Blessings!

Lavina Paul - Coordinator

Divine Kids

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose

Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

WEEK 7 ASSEMBLY – MINI VINNIES PRESENTATION

Today LS1 and LS2 Mini Vinnies received their certificates from Marg and Sumith from the Hampton Park SVDP Conference. 

Grade 5 LS3 Mini Vinnies will receive their certificates at the next assembly in Week 9 on Friday December 6 at 2.30 pm as they were at their Water Safety Lesson today. 

LS3 Grade 6 Mini Vinnies will receive their certificate on the last day of school as the Gr 6s will be at Gumbuya Park on our next assembly.

I am so proud of the Mini Vinnies. They have given up their time and we have achieved so much this year:

• raised money for Caritas
• sold Anzac Badges and poppies
• raised money through our Soup & Chat Night and our Twilight Market Stall for Ozanam House and the COTS Program.
• Run the 2nd Chance Appeal
• Run the Winter Appeal
• And we have the Christmas Appeal to go!

Thank you Mini Vinnies for all your hard work this year. You have made a difference within our local community, wider community and in the world.

We would also like to thank Sumith and the Conference members as they have supported some of our families through challenging times during the year. Mini Vinnies are closely linked with our Hampton Park Conference and the students know Sumith and Marg well.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD POINTS

Points this week include points given to students by staff.

The results so far are:

Well done Teresa who just took the lead but the other Houses are close! Remember we still have all of this term, including our Christmas Appeal, so one of the other houses may take the lead. 

SFS CHRISTMAS APPEAL 

Mini Vinnies are eagerly getting ready for our next major event of the year, the SFS Christmas Appeal. This year each Home Group will be given a family that they are putting together a hamper for. Our Giving Trees will go up in each Learning Space. Mini Vinnies have been busily cutting out Christmas tags for the Giving Tree and labelling Christmas bags for each Home Group.

Giuliana & SFS Mini Vinnies

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au