CELEBRATING OUR FAITH
Year 6 End of Year Mass
This Friday, 27 November at 9:15am, Year 6 students will be going to Sacred Heart Church for their End of Year Mass. Sadly this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, only one person may attend per family. We are sorry for any inconveniences and thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Please remember to be socially distant from others and to sign at the door.
Year 10 at Copeton Dam
Next Monday, 30 November until Wednesday 2 December, Year 10 students will be travelling to Copeton Dam for their Christian Living Retreat days. Students are to be at school ready to depart at 9:00am with all their equipment and food for the few days.
The days will involve the students reflecting on their time together as a cohort, memories, talking about their hopes and fears for the future and they will complete a Friendship booklet for one another. The Year 10 students will also take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at an evening service led by Fr James.
Year 10 Graduation Mass
The Year 10 Graduation Mass will be on Thursday 3 December at 9:15am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Please ensure Miss Bailey is aware of the number of family members attending the Mass for Covid-19 purposes.
We will be having a Mass practise on Wednesday at 12noon after we return back from the dam.
SVDP - Christmas Appeal
Our Vinnies fundraising support for the Christmas Appeal will continue across the school with the:
- Coin Drop on Wednesday 9 December
- Festive Foods with the collection of non-perishable food items which will be presented to SVDP at the Thanksgiving Prayer Day, Friday 11 December.
Festive Foods - SVDP
Students at Holy Trinity have been very generous in previous years in supporting SVDP by donating non-perishable food items for Christmas Hampers. This year we have been asked to support those less fortunate in our community again by donating non-perishable foods which you would like to eat/have at Christmas or for a festive occasion - FESTIVE FOODS! For example: lollies, chips, bonbons, bottles of soft drinks, popcorn etc.
Families can begin to send festive food items into school which we will donate to SVDP on our Thanksgiving Prayer day, Friday 11 December. Thank you for your continued generosity and support.
The Season of Advent
The time of Advent is the four week period of preparation for the season of Christmas. This weekend, the season of Advent will begin. Advent is a time for us to prepare for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas day. The word Advent comes from the Latin word advenio, which means "to come to," and refers to the coming of Christ. We are called to come to the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas; we are also called to be aware of the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and we need to be aware of Christ's Second Coming at the end of time.
The Advent Wreath
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 five candles in the wreath, a central white candle representing the light of Christ that came into the world. Three of the outside candles are purple because the colour purple is a liturgical colour that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. The rose coloured candle is a liturgical colour for joy.
The first candle, which is purple, symbolises hope. It is often called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
The third candle is rose/pink and symbolises joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose it is a liturgical colour for joy and is meant to remind us of the joy that is anticipated in the world experienced at the birth of Jesus.
On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Saviour. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolises peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
The progressive lighting of the candles marks the journey towards the Nativity.
For the Calendar:
Term 4 2020
27 November - Year 6 Mass, SHC at 9:15am
30 Dec to 2 Dec - Year 10 Copeton Dam
3 December - Year 10 Graduation Mass, SHC at 9:15am
9 December - Coin Drop
11 December - Thanksgiving Prayer Day and Festive Foods Donation to SVDP
Enjoy the week and God bless,
Mary-Jane Guest
Religious Education Coordinator