Catholic Identity
Religious Education Leader: Elizabeth Holligan
Reflection
Sunday 17 November , Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Our Community Action Team (CAT) has been selling Zooper Doopers as part of the Social Justice fundraising for this term. The CAT members are an example of how we, with some effort, can be the change the world needs. The funds raised will be used by the St Vincent de Paul society to assist those in need this Christmas. Standing up for those without a voice, using our God-given talents to be the light for others who may be in need, is what we are asked to do in the readings this Sunday. By rising up and helping those who are unable to help themselves we are demonstrating the love and care Jesus asks us to extend to all. Christ is our salvation; Christ battles evil and stands by us when we are in need; these are the stories we read about this Sunday. Stories of love, faith, strength, solidarity, being the good that withstands evil. This is our goal this week, to rise up and be the change the world needs in whatever way we can, big or small, it all adds up.
General Notices REL
All Souls Day Mass, Saturday 2 November at St Anne’s College
We thank Fr Rene Ramirez RCJ for celebrating an outdoor mass St Anne’s College for All Souls Day on Saturday 2 November. We were joined by members of St Mel’s and St Brendan’s Parishes and appreciate the opportunity to share our college with the wider community.
Congratulations to Fr Rene Ramirez RCJ
Congratulations to Fr Rene on his appointment by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Fr Rene joined our St Anne’s College community as Parish Priest of St Mel’s in Shepparton only 12 months ago. During this time he has been a great supporter of our college. We will be sad to see him leave us, however at the same time are grateful for the privilege of his company as our spiritual guide and Parish Priest. Fr Rene will be ordained as Bishop at St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne on 1 February 2025.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Voucher Fundraising
This term our fundraising will be directed towards the Christmas Vinnie's Appeal. The Shepparton South St Vincent de Paul Conference assists many members of the local community who are facing challenging financial times. Our local St Vincent de Paul conference is requesting our help as they aid over 450 clients this Christmas.
Each year level and Pastoral Group is asked to raise funds to purchase vouchers for families and individuals in need this Christmas. You can help by donating cash or vouchers for the provision of food from business like SPC or supermarkets (not cards that can be spent on alcohol). Any cash sent will be used by the school and Shepparton South St Vincent de Paul conference to purchase vouchers.
We are grateful to our St Anne’s College community for your assistance and continued support for our Social Justice initiatives during the past 12 months. In Term 1 this year our community raised over $5,000 for Caritas and Project Compassion. In Term 4 last year with your generous support our community raised over $3,500 to assist families and others in need for the Vinnie's Christmas appeal. Once again, we ask for your generous support. Vouchers will be presented to the Shepparton South St Vincent de Paul conference at our end of year mass. Your generosity, kindness and assistance are greatly appreciated in our fundraising at St Anne’s College.
St Mel’s Parish Sacramental Program meeting time update
St Mel’s Parish Sacramental Program – Reconciliation – meeting times have been updated. Please update your calendar. Times and locations of future meetings are listed below.
Advent Preparation and Advent Wreaths
The four weeks prior to Christmas are the Season of Advent. Advent today is a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered and also a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. We recommit to our beliefs. God from God, Light from Light, and true God from true God, by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man, and that he will come again in glory.
You may like to set up an Advent wreath at home. A simple collection of three purple or violet candles with one pink candle. Light the first candle, a purple or violet candle on Sunday December 1. This candle is the candle symbolising Hope, the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming of Christ. On the second Sunday of Advent light the second purple or violet candle - the candle of peace. The third Sunday of Advent is the pink candle, the candle of joy as we are filled with excitement and joy for the near arrival of Jesus on Christmas day. The fourth candle, the candle of love, is lit on the last Sunday of Advent. This marks the final week of prayer as we wait for the birth of our Saviour and reminds us that God is love.