Principal's News
Reflection
Advent week 2
This week we enter the second week of Advent where John the Baptist in Matthew’s Gospel asks us to change our hearts, to have a different way of ‘seeing’ life. That’s a challenge to even slow down at this time of the year as we face the silly season of school closure, and getting ready for Christmas. There are times that we miss seeing what is really happening amongst us.
John the Baptist pinned his hopes on the one who would follow him, seeing one who was stronger and more influential than him. Jesus turned out to be the kind of person John did not quite expect. It was a different strength and 'seeing' from what he was expecting.
Where can that leave us – in the midst of all the things that go on in our lives? How do we see the coming of Jesus affecting our outlook on life?
We understand the birth of Jesus, Christmas, in that God is with us .
What God is with us can say to us is that, whatever is going on in our lives, however we read it or misread it,– Jesus is there, right in the middle of it, not necessarily responsible for what’s going on, not pulling strings, but there. Do we see it, does it change our heart?
Fr Martin mentioned last week that we can get caught up in the nostalgia of the crib and we forget to be aware that Jesus presence is with us always, only we need to ‘see’ what is going on. How do we provide the view for others, how do we change our heart?
In whatever happens, the presence of Jesus is there, empowering a way forward, provided we draw and see the inner resources that God gives us. If we give God room, at this Advent time and the coming Christmas period, we can change our heart.
First Communion
Sharing a Meal. This week our First Communion children celebrate their First Eucharist at the Saturday evening (6pm) and Sunday Morning (9am) Mass. We are thankful to the preparation that MIss Anna Coelli, Mrs Cathy Ferrari, Miss Elly Dillon, the Faith Team and Fr Martin, who have contributed with the children and their families in preparing them for their special day in their faith formation.
When our young children take part in the Eucharist this weekend they are participating in the symbolic ritual of celebrating the life of Jesus. They have chosen to personally join with Christ to be one with him in spirit. Their understanding in faith will increase over time with the support of their families and St. James.
We congratulate our Year 3 children in anticipation of their great day this weekend.
Shared Stories
Last Friday a number of our students appeared in the 11th edition of the Shared Stories Anthology, a collection of stories and Art from 22 schools across Victoria. The high quality of the writing and Art is testament to the creative skills of our Catholic educated students. St James were fortunate to have a significant number of students in the 572 page edition.
Over the past eleven years the Shared Stories Anthology has grown and St James students have always been well represented in each edition.
We were thrilled that St James were represented by past and present students. Ex St James School Captain and ex Star of the Sea School Captain, Francesca Ohlert, wrote this year's foreword. We were entertained by the extraordinary comparing talent of Lucy F (ex St James and Year 7 Star of the Sea student), Amie C (Year 6) winning one of the select writing awards and Saffy C (Year 6) for being selected to recite her poem.
St James Has Got Talent
A reminder that this Friday we are celebrating the creative talent of our children. The array of talent will be on display from 9.30am.
The second Talent Show will be held at Monday lunchtime, from 1:30pm.
Brendan
A Reflection
Sometimes this world isn't fair, we have war and constant despair. Some people are treated badly and nobody wants this.
The world doesn't have to be this way, we can give life a sudden twist. Everybody shall be happy and nobody shall be sad.
We lock people up in detention, we make happy lives suspended. Refugees are just normal people, they deserve to be treated right.
by Ginger C - Year 4J