Faith and Mission

The season of Advent begins this year on Sunday, 30 November, marking the start of the Church’s liturgical year. Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation for Christmas, centred on the birth of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis, in Let Us Dream, reminds us that this season calls us to wait with our head (reflecting on the meaning of Advent), our heart (entering into its spirit), and our feet (expressing our faith through daily acts of service).

Lasting four weeks, the word 'Advent' comes from the Latin for 'arrival' or 'coming.' It invites us to reflect not only on the story of Jesus’ birth but also on the values and hopes tied to his promised return. 

Throughout Advent, we are invited to recognise God’s presence in the world around us, in one another, and within ourselves.

This year, Advent coincides with the Jubilee Year of Hope. The themes of hope, peace, joy, and love that shape the Advent season beautifully align with the intentions of the Jubilee. Together, they encourage individuals and communities to look forward with confidence and to embrace opportunities for renewal and growth.

As Advent begins, we are encouraged to take part in community events, outreach initiatives, and long-held traditions. In doing so, we recognise Advent not only as a season of preparation but also as a reminder of hope, echoing the spirit of the Jubilee Year.

This Christmas, give a gift that transforms lives. Jesuit Mission’s Gifts for Change enable you to replace a traditional gift with an impactful one. 

Each gift, available as a personalised printed or e-card, comes with a beautiful illustration by participants of Jesuit Mission projects.

Your gift could:

• Build sustainable communities with clean water and food security
• Fund a teacher, scholarship, or a bicycle for a child to attend school and peddle their way out of poverty
• Provide food, medical care, or safety for families in crisis
• Empower people with disabilities 

Give a life-changing gift today at https://jesuitmission.org.au/christmas

This Christmas, Help Women Like Grace Build a Brighter Future

Just a year ago, Grace, a young mother in Nairobi, was barely scraping by on informal, low-paying work to feed her family.

Then Grace joined a training program supported by Mary Ward International. She learned carpentry, gained steady employment, and discovered a renewed sense of purpose.

Today, Grace provides for her daughter, saves for her education, and dreams of opening her own workshop to train other women.

Through programs in carpentry, business, cookery, and digital skills, women like Grace are breaking gender barriers, starting their own businesses, and transforming their communities. 

This Christmas, give the gift of hope and opportunity. 

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Community Mass

Thank you to all Year 8 students who participated in Community Mass today, where we looked ahead to the new Church Year this Sunday. Thank you also to Fr Sean, from St Mary’s Cathedral, who celebrated with us. 

The new liturgical year begins with the first Sunday of Advent, a time of anticipation of Christmas and the birth of Christ. However, in his homily, Fr Sean explained a further aspect of Advent: that of anticipating the second coming of Christ, when all would be made complete. Referring to the first reading from Isaiah (beautifully proclaimed by Year 8 students), he pointed to the fruitfulness and peace that would be hallmarks of Christ’s new kingdom.  Fr Sean concluded by inviting students to consider what Jesus meant by his words ‘stay awake’ – to be alert to signs of love, compassion, peace and justice. 

In the days to come

the mountain of the house of the Lord

shall tower above the mountains

and be lifted higher than the hills.

All the nations will stream to it,

peoples without number will come to it; and they will say:

‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob

that the Lord may teach us his ways

and we may walk in his paths.’

God will wield authority over the nations

and adjudicate between many peoples.

They will hammer their swords into ploughs,

and their spears into sickles.

Nation will not lift sword against nation,

no longer will they learn to make war.

Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord

(Isaiah 2:1-5)

All are welcome to Community Mass. If you are new to Community Mass, just come to the Chapel at 8:00am. There is no reserved seating and all responses are on a PowerPoint. Next Friday’s Mass will be prepared by students of Japanese, who are preparing for their study tour.

If you have any questions about Community Mass, please contact Mary-Anne Lumley: 

mary-anne.lumley@johnxxiii.edu.au

Community Mass details

• College Chapel
• Fridays in term time
• Starts at 8:00am concludes at 8:30am.

Sacraments

Do you have a child in Years 2, 3 or 5?

In 2026, students in these classes will be respectively preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. 

Parents need to enrol their child in a parish Sacrament program. This is in addition to the teaching on the sacrament that children will receive in the Religion classes. 

Preparing for the sacraments is now a three-way collaboration among family, parish, and school. 

Many parishes have begun enrolling for 2026, and parents are encouraged to arrange for this at the earliest opportunity. 

Parish information will be uploaded to the College website as it becomes available. 

Parents often have questions about the Sacrament program, so please don’t hesitate to ask. Below are some useful points of contact: 

• The priest or sacrament coordinator in your local parish
• John XXIII College website
• The Archdiocesan website: Parishes & Mass Times

• Mary-Anne Lumley: mary-anne.lumley@johnxxiii.edu.au  or via phone on 

  08 9383 0513

Around the Parishes

During the seasons of Advent and Christmas there is a feast of special parish liturgies and reflections around the parishes. Next week, our local parish of St Thomas the Apostle in Claremont is hosting the annual ‘Road to Bethlehem’, a celebration of Scripture, choral music and reflection. Please refer to the attached poster for additional information.