The Feasts of All Saints and All Souls

All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallows' Day) is the day after All Hallows' Eve (Hallowe'en). It is a feast day celebrated on 1 November by many Christian churches. It is an opportunity to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history.

Franciscans celebrate the many saints from their religious order on 29 November. This date is special for Franciscans as it was on this day in 1223, that the final Franciscan Rule of Life was approved.

All Souls' Day is commemorated on 2 November, the day after All Saints' Day. It is a special day in which we remember all of those close to us who have died and celebrate the wonderful gifts that they have given to us and our world.

In writing about death, Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue offers a hopeful vision of our relationship with our loved ones who have died:

Our friends among the dead now live where time and space are transfigured.

They behold us now in ways they never could have when they lived beside us on earth. Because they live near the source of destiny,

their blessings for us are accurate and penetrating,

offering a divine illumination not available according to

the calculations of the given visible world.

Perhaps one of the surprises of death

will be a retrospective view of the lives we lived here

and to see how our friends among the dead

clothed us in weave after weave of blessing.

(from Benedictus)

At this time of year, may you feel the blessing of the loved ones who have gone before us.

Let us pray:

Loving God,

through Baptism,

you gather your holy people

and call them to share in the joy of your saints.

By their help and example

you guide us to live for others as Jesus taught.

May their prayers strengthen and comfort us

as we follow Jesus to his promise of everlasting life.

We make this prayer in His name.

Amen.

Saint Mary, Mother of Jesus. Pray for us.

Saint Francis of Assisi. Pray for us.

Saint Clare of Assisi. Pray for us.

Elizabeth Hayes. Pray for us.

All Holy Men & Women. Pray for us.

Bunya Mountains and Cherbourg

Over the weekend, six students participated in the Bunya Mountains and Cherbourg Immersion. As part of this experience, students visited the Bonye Biar (Bunya Mountains) Bush University and the Ration Shed in Cherbourg. They learnt about the significance of the Bunya Mountains for the Traditional Custodians and the history of the Cherbourg community. Such an experience – offered every two years – represents the College’s ongoing commitment to truth-telling, reconciliation and celebration of First Nations cultures. I would like to extend my thanks to the students for their engagement in the activities across the weekend and to Ms Jen Clark for accompanying us.

World Mission Month

The month of October is World Mission Month. It raises awareness and support for the work of Catholic Mission, a mission agency of the Catholic Church that supports children and communities in need in 160 countries around the world.

This year three of our students have represented the College as Catholic Mission Ambassadors: Isabella Anderson, Addy Clifton and Sophia Price. Together, these students launched the Catholic Mission Appeal at the Parish Mass on Sunday 20 October and at our College Assembly on Thursday 24 October.

This year’s theme derived from the Gospel of Matthew, “Go and invite everyone to the banquet,” extends a message of inclusion to all people in need in our world.

The focus of this year’s appeal is the work of the church in Mongolia. Located in north-central Asia, Mongolia is over 1.5 million square-kilometres, with an estimated population of 3.5 million people. Social stigma around homelessness, addiction and domestic violence, poor access to services, and the harsh Mongolian winters can result in people struggling to access the support they need to help get them back on their feet.

In recognition of this need, Catholic Mission is working alongside the Mongolian Church to support the House of Mercy, a charity centre that provides shelter for many in need, including those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or those requiring first aid services. As Pope Francis shared during his recent visit to Mongolia, ‘This House of Mercy is meant to be the point of reference for a variety of charitable works, hands outstretched towards our brothers and sisters struggling to navigate life’s problems. A safe haven, in other words, where people can find a listening ear and an understanding heart.’

Let us recognise the work of the Church in supporting people in need and give thanks for missionaries who commit their lives to service. May they be an inspiration for us and models of compassion and justice.

If you would like to know more about the work of Catholic Mission or donate to support their work, you can do so via the Catholic Mission website, https://www.catholicmission.org.au/.

Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

During Term 4 each year, each Homeroom group is asked to prepare a grocery hamper and purchase a modest Christmas gift for families in our local area who are doing it tough. This charitable venture has been a special part of the Mount Alvernia College community for many years and we value the partnership that we have built with the Saint Vincent de Paul Kedron Conference during this time.

Each Homeroom has received some generic information (gender and age) about each family member they are supporting and a list of items required for each hamper. By now, all students should know what item(s) they need to contribute. Students may be asked to contribute a small sum of money towards the purchase of gifts for the family.

Students can contribute these items to the cardboard box in their Homeroom up until Wednesday 27 November. The hampers will be formally presented to representatives from Saint Vincent de Paul at our Christmas liturgy on Thursday 28 November. Thank you for your generous support.

Collection for Stationery Aid

As we approach the end of the academic year, please remember that we are a collection site for Stationery Aid. This organisation collects donations of new or unused stationery and used stationery in good condition. These donations are packaged up for students whose families struggle to provide the educational resources needed for school. Stationery Aid is seeking donations of the following items:

- all types of pencils

- crayons

- pencil cases

- rulers

- erasers

- sharpeners

- unused exercise books/note pads/scrapbooks

- highlighters

- pens

- glue

- paints and paint brushes

- maths equipment (protractors, compass, etc.)

- staplers and staples

Donations can be placed in the small blue wheelie bin located on the Ground floor of the Anthony Building (near Reception and the lift). Thank you for your generous support.

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