Catholic Identity
Religious Education, Sacramental and Faith Celebration News
In this newsletter...
RE Dates for your diary
Advent
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
Sacraments 2026
Community Masses 2026
RE Dates for your diary...
1st Dec. - Advent Liturgy, 9am
11th Dec. - Graduation Mass, 6:30pm
16th Dec. - Christmas Liturgy and Carols, 9am
Advent
The first Sunday of Advent sees the commencement of the new liturgical year. This new liturgical cycle is referred to as Year A and features the gospel of Matthew. Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus which literally means ‘coming’; it is also reflected in the Greek word Parousia, which is used to describe the second coming of Jesus. So Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation of the coming of Christ into the world that is celebrated in the Nativity at Christmas.
The season of Advent is for the Church the time just before the dawn of Christmas, when the fullness of God's love took human flesh in Jesus. The moments before dawn are often special: cities are still, the air is damp, noise is at a minimum and, at least on clear days, there is an anticipation of the sun bursting forth into daylight. No wonder Paul and Matthew found it such a rich metaphor for the coming of Christ.
Being in the light is not just about what we see, it is about what we do. St Ignatius Loyola often spoke about the things we keep buried in the dark. For Ignatius the experience we won't speak about, the sins we won't confess and the memories we suppress are the signs of the bad spirit. They gain an inordinate power over us and we displace a lot of energy keeping them buried in the dark. Ignatius always saw the hand of the good spirit when these things came into the light. Every time someone says to me, ‘Father, I've never told anyone this before, but I want to talk about it now…’ I thank God that the good spirit is alive and active. St Ignatius encourages us to be alert to all the ways we con ourselves that keeping secrets hidden in the dark is a necessary or acceptable way to live.
One of the major symbols of the Advent season is the wreath. The encircling wreath is symbolic of God without beginning or end and the green foliage represents our hope in God. There are usually five candles in the wreath, a central white candle representing the light of Christ that came into the world and then four outside candles that are usually purple and rose coloured. The first candle is generally symbolic of Hope and Expectation. The third candle – the rose or pink candle – celebrates the Joy that is anticipated in the coming of Christ. The progressive lighting of the candles marks the journey towards the Nativity.
May this Advent be the season in which we bring to consciousness all the things that stop us from being fully alive and basking in the light.
You shall be the path that guides us, you the light that in us burns;
Shining deep within all people, yours the love that we must learn,
For our hearts shall wander restless, 'til they safe to you return;
Finding you in one another, we shall all your face discern.
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
Thank you to everyone who has already donated to our food drive for the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. We appreciate all of the nono-perishable long life food that has been brought in. As you are probably aware, there are many in our local community who are struggle at this time, especially as the Christmas season approaches. The food hampers that Vinnies provide families in our community offer a real help!
We encourage everyone to give as much as you can to this important drive so that, in a small way, some of the pressures of Chritmas can be alleviated.
Sacraments 2026
As we look towards 2026, we begin preparing for next year's sacramental program. At the start of next year, during 'Meet & Greets', a letter will be given to families with students in Years 3-6 to indicate their intention to comeplete a sacrament. Students are able to receive the following sacraments:
Year 3 - First Reconciliation
Year 4 - First Eucharist, [First Reconciliation ('catch up')]
Year 5 - [First Eucharist and/or First Reconciliation ('catch up')]
Year 6 - Confirmation, [First Eucharist and/or First Reconciliation ('catch up')]
Studnets currnetly in Year 2, going into Year 3 in 2026, are already able to indicate their intention for First Reconciliation using the QR Code below:
Community Masses in 2026
This year Community Masses have been very well-attended and we thank everyone from our school and beyond for attending. It has enabled a strong, warm and vibrant community. After each Mass, many have remained to join in fellowship - a hot drink, a bit to eat, and a friendly conversation. It has been wonderful to see many children running around having fun once everything has been packed away.
It is also wonderful news that Archbishop Comensoli has confirmed and approved a new church to be built on the church block next to school. This is in no small part due to the strong attendance and vibrancy of the Wyndham Vale Catholic community.
Next year, Community Masses will begin in January and run all the way through the year on every third sunday of the month. The dates are below - we invite everyone to join us during 2026 for these Masses, as we continue to build up this faith community.
We encourage you to spread the word of our Community Masses and invite as many family, friends, neighbours and others to these celebrations.
Follow and like the Wyndham Vale Catholic Community Facebook page to get updates and further information about Community Masses and other events.
John Dini
Catholic Identity Leader