Social Justice - St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

The members of the Charity and Social Justice Group are excited to launch our Vinnies Christmas Appeal at Friday’s morning assembly.

Students and families are invited to donate non-perishable Christmas goodies to help families. Each grade level has been provided with a food donation suggestion:

Grade	Item
Kindergarten	custard powder and jelly
Year 1	bon bons
Year 2	packets of chips
Year 3	packets of lollies
Year 4	mince pies and Christmas puddings
Year 5	soft drink and cordial
Year 6	chocolates
Students and families may also like to donate a wrapped Christmas gift with a gender and age clearly labelled.  The Woden Vinnies Conference has provided the following details: Sts Peter and Paul, our local families are in need of gifts for 3 year old gifts for boys and girls 4 year old gifts for boys and girls 5 year old gifts for boys and girls 6 year old gifts for girls 7 year old gifts for girls and boys 8 year old gifts for girls and boys 9 year old gifts for girls 10 year old gifts for boys and girls 11 year old gifts for boys and girls 12 year old gifts for boys and girls Donations of movie vouchers would be gratefully appreciated for 13 years and above. Thank you SVDP

All donations will be collected by St Vincent de Paul on Friday 1 December. Thank you for your generous support.

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Look, the bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him.

Gospel Reflection by Dianne Bergant

The early Christians thought that all their questions about death had been answered with the resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, when loyal Christians began to die, not only did their old questions come back, but also they were plagued with new and difficult ones. Was it possible that those loyal Christians had not been loyal after all? Or worse, were the promises made by Jesus empty promises? No! Paul assures us. It is all true. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again, and all the faithful will be joined with him. How it will happen, we do not know. When it will happen, we do not know. That it will happen, we are sure.

The wisdom that we have culled from life becomes the treasury from which we draw the prudence and insight needed to negotiate life’s paradoxes. It throws light on our strengths and on our weaknesses; it enables us to discern what is important and what is not; it directs us to bring extra oil in our lamps. Life and the wisdom that we have acquired through it, have taught us that we can indeed trust the promises of God. They have been fulfilled in the past, and wisdom assures us that they will be fulfilled in the future. It is wisdom that cautions us to be vigilant, to be ready to adjust our plans. It is wisdom that prepares us for the night watches of life. It is wisdom that instructs us to be ready at all times.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Veronica Hall

Religious Education Coordinator