Newsletter

Catholic Identity 

Preparing for Advent at St Mary’s: Hope, Joy, Peace & Love

 

As we approach the season of Advent, we invite all our students, families, and staff to take part in this special time of preparation and anticipation for the celebration of Christmas. Advent is a season of hope, waiting, and preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on the joy of the season and how we can spread kindness and love in our community.

 

What is Advent?

 

Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning on Sunday, December 1st. During this time, we celebrate the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, which are symbolised by the candles on the Advent wreath. Each Sunday, we light one additional candle, marking our progress toward Christmas.

 

Ways We’ll Be Preparing for Advent:

  • Advent Wreath: In classes, we’ll create and light our Advent candles, focusing on one theme each week. Children will take turns helping to light the candles during our morning prayers.
  • Acts of Kindness: Throughout Advent, we encourage everyone to share kindness, whether through helping others at school, at home, or in the community. 
  • Community Reflections: Each week, we’ll gather in our shared spaces for reflection time, reading Scripture stories and prayers that help us prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
  • Advent Giving: We will be collecting donations of toys for children in our local area to help those in need during the Christmas season. Please contribute what you can and drop your donations into our Toy drive box in the front office.

St Mary’s Parish - Celebrating 150 Years

 

Next year St Mary’s parish and school will celebrate and acknowledge 150 years of being the catholic church and community in the Echuca / Moama area. The many teams at the parish are well underway for preparing many celebrations and opportunities to celebrate those who have contributed to its rich history. St Mary’s school will support and be an active part of many of the celebrations and we encourage families to take part a long the way. 

To mark the anniversary, St Mary’s parish has composed a 2025 calendar which are now on sale in our school office. A 2025 calendar is $10 and all proceeds go back to the parish. Families and members of our community can purchase a calendar by visiting the office or placing $10 in an envelope and sending it in with your child. Please support if you can. 

 

As we start to prepare for Christmas our Parish is also celebrating the season and would very much like to see our learners and families there. This weekend the Church celebrates its Children’s Mass on Sunday morning at 9:30am. Please attend if you can. 

 

Toy Drive 

 

Our Toy drive is still operating for those who can contribute. Toys are to be new and can be dropped into our big collection box in the front office at anytime. Please know that all donations help those in need in our very own community! Please give what you can. 

 

 

 

Farewell to an era - The closing of St Patrick’s Pyramid Hill 

 

At the end of 2024, sadly one of our most iconic primary schools in the Sandhurst Diocese closes. St Patrick’s Pyramid Hill will celebrate its rich history and its spiritual and educational contirubution to many on Sunday 8th December, 2024. For anyone wanting to attend please see the invitation attached. 

 

 

St Vincent de Paul

For families finding it hard in the lead up to Christmas, St Vincent de Paul can help alleviate the burden by offering help with food and other necessities. If you would like to access this support please call our office on 54807621. We are open Tuesday's and Thursday's between 10am and 12pm at 11 Nish St Echuca. If the phone is unattended, please leave a message and we will return your call. 

All enquiries are strictly confidential.