Education in Faith
ADVENT
Advent Traditions
The four weeks of Advent are popularly considered to symbolize the four thousand years of darkness before the coming of Christ.
We set up Nativity scenes, light Advent candles and decorate wreaths in our homes to signify Christ’s presence coming in the darkness of sin and suffering.
Four candles adorn an Advent wreath, one for each week. A fifth candle is sometimes placed in the center for the beginning of the Christmas season.
Advent colors are worn by the priests and deacons and decorate the church. They are represented in the candles that surround the Advent wreath:
Violet: royalty, repentance, and fasting (First, Second, and Fourth Week of Advent)
Rose: abundant joy (Third Week of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, meaning "joy" in Latin)
White: light and purity (Christ Candle, center candle completes the season and begins Christmas).
Our Advent Liturgies
During this week we have celebrated the first three weeks of Advent with Advent liturgies in the Padua Pavilion. Advent for the Catholic Church begins this Sunday 1st December, 2019 and marks the new year cycle for the church, Year A.
Christmas Carols & The Nativity
A reminder that Christmas Carols and The Nativity play are on Wednesday 4th December, 2019 at 7-7.45pm in St. Anthony's church.
You are invited to come to The Green for a BYO food and drinks dinner at 6.00pm, then walk over to the church at 6.45pm for the Christmas Carols and Nativity play performed by Foundation students. Afterwards, the students will process to the Padua verandah to sing some Christmas songs and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Parents and families may wish to continue celebrating on The Green after the singing. We take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
ST VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL
You are invited to give support the St Vincent de Paul Society's Christmas Appeal.
We are collecting items for those less fortunate than ourselves in our community. Please donate items either as listed below or you may choose any other products to leave in the baskets in your child's classroom.
Foundation to Year 2 - cleaning products
Year 3 and 4 - canned or packet foods (non perishables)
Year 5 and 6 - toiletries
The reason we give to those less fortunate than ourselves in our community is part of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) which is under the banner of Preferential Option for the Poor. As in the Gospel of Matthew 25 :35-36 "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me". NRSV Bible.
This bible passage is testament to the fact that Jesus told his people to care for those who need caring, the poor who need food and clothing. We are the people of God and this is our opportunity to care for the poor, feed the hungry and thirsty, and by spreading good cheer at this time of the year. All the products donated will go towards making Christmas hampers for those who need some Christmas cheer.
Toni Dent
Religious Education Leader