SPaR

Our next SPaR (Stop, Pray, Reflect) will be Friday 25th November 2022 at 9am – the theme is ‘Advent Present of Presence’. Please join us if you have 20 minutes to spare.

Plan ahead and be sure to schedule the Term 4 SPaR dates in your diary.

SPaR – Term 4 2022

Date	Theme
Friday 25th November, 2022	Advent - Present of Presence
Friday 2nd December, 2022	Attitude of Gratitude
Friday 9th December, 2022	Go, Light the World

…Pray about everything.

Tell God what you need and Thank Him for all he has done.

If you do this, the peace of God which surpasses all understanding,

Will guard your hearts and your minds….

Phil 4:6-7

It is complete!

A heartfelt Thank you to Clara Vuletich for the hours she has dedicated to assisting in creating a blanket for St Vincent de Paul. It was a delight to work with Clara and learn more about her and her involvement in the fashion industry. Thank you also to all those parents who knitted the squares that made up the blanket. There is now one more grateful person in need who will become the owner of this masterpiece.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - 25th November, 2022

25th November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Here is some information from UN Women:

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign (UNiTE campaign) calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

The global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which will run from 25 November to 10 December 2022, is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.

Randwick City Council are sponsoring the ‘Step Out, Speak Out’ walk on Friday 25th November, 2022. Details below if you would like to join.

Act1v8 - Friday 25th November, 2022

A wonderful opportunity to participate in a combined Parish event on Friday 25th November, 2022. Hope to see you there.

Novels for the Homeless

We are looking for used books that are no longer needed to provide the homeless with reading material. Should you have any novels (crime and violent free) that you no longer need, please drop them off to the Parish Centre so that we can transfer them to Sr Fidelis at the Rocks, who is co-ordinating the program.

Term 4 Family Mass - Sunday 27th November, 2022

Look forward to all families joining us for our last Family Mass for 2022 on Sunday 27th November, 2022. This happens to be the first Sunday of Advent and will also be the last opportunity for our Year 6 students to attend their last Family Mass at St Margaret Mary’s.

Redefining Normal - Thursday 1st December, 2022

The Justice and Peace Office (JPO), of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, formally invites you to Redefining Normal: Mental Health, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Workshop on the 1st of December, 2022 from 8:30am to 1:00pm at Sydney Catholic School Campus, 38 Renwick St, Leichhardt.

This event embraces a cross-cultural, inter-generational, and interfaith approach, focusing on providing practical support and assistance to individuals coming from adverse backgrounds. The workshop will invite individuals living with these challenges - as well as their families, carers, faith, and community leaders - to share their lived experiences in the hopes of breaking the destructive social stigma. There will also be practical workshop sessions available - led by key community stakeholders - that will speak to specific struggles within the space.

Redefining Normal is all about positive support for all ages, beliefs, and cultures via a “no blaming and shaming, or stigmatising” conversational approach. This is a free event and the registration link is below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/redefining-normal-mental-health-alcohol-other-drugs-aod-workshop-tickets-421083380727

St Mary’s Cathedral Tour - Thursday 1st December, 2022

A joint Family Educator initiative between St Margaret Mary’s and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is planned for Thursday 1st December, 2022 to visit St Mary’s Cathedral. Details below. If you would like to join, please email me at lucille.gravina@syd.catholic.edu.au. This is a wonderful opportunity to gather as a combined Parish just before Christmas. Fingers crossed the Cathedral’s Nativity will also be ready and on display by the 1st.

St Margaret Mary’s Playgroup

The St Margaret Mary’s Playgroup will run every Wednesday morning from 9am – 10:30am during school term. If you have children starting at St Margaret Mary’s in 2023 or beyond, please join us.

Monday Pilates with Nicolette

Nicolette has been teaching Pilates at St Margaret Mary’s for 6 years. Pilates classes are held weekly.

Day: every Monday

Time : 9am - 10am

Location: St Margaret Mary’s Parish Centre

Cost: $20

For more information contact Nicolette on 0411 553 429 or nmoutopoulos@gmail.com

Friday Yoga with Trish at Centennial Park

Trish started off practicing pilates on and off for more than 10 years and in 2015 she found yoga. By the end of 2016 she became a certified yoga instructor. Trish noticed that there was an element of “je ne sais quoi” after practicing for several months that had to be experienced and felt, rather than explained. Trish really believes that elements of yoga practiced on the mat can also be used off the mat in our daily lives, and this is what she would like to share with everyone. So do come along and dedicate one hour to yourself. Deepening your awareness and appreciation of your body by connecting your mind to your breath and body.

When: Fridays after school drop-off

Time: 9:45am to 10:45am

Where: Centennial Park, The Labyrinth

Cost: $18/person

What to bring: An open mind, a Mat,

Optional: block(s), a strap

Contact: Trish

Mob: 0478 651 800

Email: pkbernardo@gmail.com

Enjoy a restful Term 3 break with your families and look forward to seeing you in Term 4.

Go gently, every blessing,

Ms. Lucille Gravina

Family Educator

Extra-curricular activities