Catholic Identity

Dear Families,

Let us Pray….               

Ever present God, 

increase our longing for Christ in the world.

Ever present God, open our hearts to wait

 for Christ in the world.

Ever present God, deepen our sense of simplicity, 

community and care for all as our year concludes.

Amen

Preparing to hear God's word

We can find God in surprising places! Where do you look to find God?

Keep your eyes open wide and look for God in people and places that you mightn’t have expected.

The Gospel Story

This gospel story tells of all the wonderful things that Jesus was doing. The Kingdom of God is about Good News for all people. The Good News looks slightly different depending on what people need. If you are lonely, then the Good News comes in the form of a friend. If you are scared or worried, then a sense of peace and calm will be ‘good news’ for you.

The Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew                    11:2-11

Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?

John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to ask Jesus,

"Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?"

Jesus answered, "Go and tell John what you have heard and seen.

The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk.

People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear.

The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news.

God will bless everyone who does not reject me because of what I do."

As John's followers were going away, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John:

"What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind?

What kind of man did you go out to see? Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? People who dress like that live in the king's palace. What did you really go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was. I tell you that he was more than a prophet. In the Scriptures God says about him,

'I am sending my messenger ahead of you to get things ready for you.'

"I tell you that no one ever born on this earth is greater than John the Baptist.

But whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John."

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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​Reflecting on the Gospel

Invite children to reflect on their lives and recall good news stories about family or friends. Share these stories with friends and classmates.

Encourage children to take some quiet time to reflect on their own lives and identify ways in which they try to be or would like to be 'good news' for other people.

Advent 2022

The Advent season is a time of preparation for our hearts and minds for the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas.

(con’t) The candles also have their own special significance. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle is lit each Sunday. Three of the candles are maeve because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice.

The first candle, which is maeve, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes 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 maeve, 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 symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final maeve candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

The white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and lit on Christmas Eve. This candle is called the “Christ Candle” and represents the life of Christ. The color white is for purity—because Christ is our sinless, pure Savior.

Caritas Christmas Greeting

DATES FOR TERM  4

Prayer for this week

As the year draws to a close, this is my last newsletter as Religious Education Leader at Sacred Heart.  It has truly been my pleasure to bring these newsletter articles to you each fortnight.  

I wish everyone, every Christmas Blessing!  Take care over the holiday time.

All the best for 2023.

GOD BLESS.

Debbie Turvey

RE Leader