Family and Faith

Movember Event for Men #2 

Faith, Footy and Fun!  

Thank you to the men who were able to come to the Sutherland Shire Family Educator’s Movember night to support Men’s Health and Wellbeing. It was a fantastic night with our keynote speakers sharing their trials and tribulations with their mental health and how they stay positive and upbeat.

Thank you to Father Ben Saliba, Tadhg Kennelly, Bryson Goodwin and James Graham!  

The Sutherland Shire Family Educators and visiting staff from Sydney Catholic Schools.                               

Blessing of the Nativity and Parish Christmas Celebration

Last Sunday we celebrated the Blessing of the Nativity at our Church with pony rides, caroling, a blessing and prayers and afternoon tea. Here are some photos of this very happy and successful event. Thank you Father Julian for inviting us to the Parish Christmas party!

SPaRS in the Church

Celebrating The Nativity and the Season of Advent

K - 2 parents are invited to the Church for a SPaR (Stop, Pray and Reflect) with their child’s class to view the Nativity in the Church foyer, learn about the Season of Advent and  listen to the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Each session will be approximately 20 - 30 minutes long. 

Parents are very welcome to meet us at the Church and sit with their child. 

Day 1 of the SPaRs! Here are 2G and 2W and Father Zeljko.

Friday Fatima Friends

Last week in Fatima Friends we talked about symbols of Christmas - both Christian and commercial. Our prayer space had lots of things on it! This week we will have Christmas craft and next week we will listen to the story about the Star of Bethlehem  with a Star Pinata! The fun continues right to the end!

TERM 4: Fridays at 9.05 am after Assembly

 Week 8 - 6th December - Advent and Christmas Craft

 Week 9 - 13th December  - Christmas Celebration with a story and Star Pinata

Advent Joy for Kids  

Here are some simple ways to bring Advent joy to children while helping them to learn about, and personalise, some of our rich faith traditions.

1. Advent Calendars
   There are some beautiful religious calendars that can be purchased through Christian book shops 
2. Mary, Mary…
   If any season belongs to Mary, it is surely Advent. Go to prayer with Mary and ask her to give you her sense of conviction and eager anticipation of Jesus’ renewed presence in the world.
3. Journey to Bethlehem
   Using the pieces of your family Nativity scene, set up the stable in your prayer space. Keep Jesus hidden. Place Mary, Joseph and the donkey in a remote location.
   Each day, the children move them closer to their final destination. Shepherds, sheep, and angels can all journey to Bethlehem, arriving at the stable on Christmas day when Jesus also appears. The Wise Men take longer, arriving on the Feast of the Epiphany.
4. Advent Candle
   Using a tall candle marked with 24 lines to indicate the 24 days of December leading up to Christmas, light the candle each day for your family prayers. As the candle gets shorter, children can count the number of days left to Christmas by the number of lines visible on the candle.
5.  The Jesse Tree
   Each day of Advent, place a new ornament symbolising one of the Old Testament ancestors of Jesus (for example, Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah etc). Check out CathFamily’s Jesse Tree, complete with instructions, prayers and downloadable template https://cathfamily.org/making-your-own-jesse-tree/ 

6. Advent Wreath

The rich symbolism of an Advent Wreath connects families and churches to the sense of anticipation and joy of the season. CathFamily has some great options for your family to get involved with this ancient tradition. Would you like to make a natural Advent wreath? Click on the link below for more information.

Advent Prayer 

Lord God, 

May we, your people, 

Who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy 

Of salvation and celebrate that feast with love 

And thanksgiving. 

We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord, 

Amen.

Tracey Bowler | Family Educator        

tracey.bowler@syd.catholic.edu.au