Education in Faith
Year 6 Graduation Mass
On Monday 10th of December, the Galilee school community gathered for the Year 6 Graduation Mass at OLMC. Fr Hugh led us in praying for our Year 6 students who are close to completing their journey at Galilee. The Mass was a wonderful celebration of all that these students have accomplished. We heard about the amazing journey these students have been on and witnessed a beautiful candle ceremony where the Year 6 students passed on their leadership responsibilities to the Year 5 students. We thank Mr. Joss Coaley and Miss. Charlotte Biggs for preparing such a moving celebration. Year 6, we couldn't be more proud of you. We wish you all the best as you graduate to Secondary School next year. We look forward to continuing the celebrations next Monday the 17th of December, celebrating your Graduation Dinner.
End of Year Mass
Tomorrow, Friday 14th December, the whole school will be celebrating the End of Year Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul at 9.00am. At the Mass we will reflect on the journey we have made this year, both personally and as a community. We will give thanks to God for making the journey with us. At the Mass a number of awards will be presented to students and we will get an opportunity to say farewell to staff who are leaving. We will also have the opportunity to thank those in our community who have gone above and beyond this year. The We extend a warm invitation to families and friends to attend the Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul starting at 9.00am tomorrow.
Advent
The Advent Wreath
The custom of lighting an Advent wreath of candles originated in the ancient Northern European custom of having a fire wheel at the winter solstice in December. The fire wheel was lit to celebrate the gradual return of the sun after the shortest, darkest days of winter. Christians adapted this symbol to celebrate the coming of Christ, the light, who transforms the darkest depths of our world.Many people celebrate Advent by lighting the candles of an Advent wreath each day, accompanied by a prayer. One candle for Week 1, two candles for Week 2, and so on. The wreath comprises three purple candles and one rose-coloured, for the joyful Third Week of Advent. They are set in a circle of evergreen leaves, symbolising God’s endless life and love. A fifth candle, a white ‘Christ’ candle, may be placed in the centre to be lit at Christmas. The gradual lighting of the candles represents the increasing light of Christ as his coming draws near.
The Advent Calendar
Another way to mark the days of Advent is to use an Advent calendar. These calendars usually have a door or window to open each day to reveal an image or a prayer. The days of Advent vary each year, so store-bought Advent calendars usually have 24 doors, one for each day in December leading up to Christmas. If you are making your own calendar it may link with the symbols from the Jesse Tree or the prayers for lighting the Advent Wreath. The O Antiphons can also be included in the week leading up to Christmas.
To learn more about this liturgical season, watch 'What is Advent Again?'"What is Advent again?'
Finally, the staff at Galilee would like to say a massive Thank You for making 2018 such a wonderful year! We sincerely appreciate all you have done this year and trust ‘The Joy of Giving’ has blessed you and your family this Advent. We pray that you receive an overflow of the love of God this Christmas so you can be blessed and be a ‘Gift’ to others. We wish you all a very safe and Happy Christmas, filled with joy, peace and love shared with your loved ones. We invite you to attend the parish masses at Ss. Peter and Paul, OLMC and St. Joseph’s as you welcome Jesus our Saviour and celebrate His birth. May your New Year be filled with happiness and all things special and we look forward to an even better 2019!