RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Sunday Gospel: Third Sunday of Advent, Year A. Matthew 11:2-11
Half way through Advent we pause for a moment to celebrate Gaudete Sunday, a Sunday for rejoicing. It is this week that we light the pink candle, a beautiful way to symbolise the joy of the season!
This week's Gospel Reading continues our Advent reflection on the person and message of John the Baptist. Last week we heard John speak about his relationship to the coming Messiah, Jesus. This week, we hear Jesus' message to John the Baptist, now in prison, about the signs of the kingdom found in Jesus' ministry and Jesus' assessment of John's role in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus’ words to John’s disciples are really intended for John himself. John had heard of the works of ‘the Christ’, but the fact that he sent disciples to find out whether or not Jesus was indeed this person, suggests that Jesus did not exhibit all the eschatological signs that John had expected.
Even as we observe our world today, we can find glimpses of God's work among us. Even more, we help to prepare the way for God's kingdom by our words and our deeds. This message is indeed a cause for rejoicing.
Year 6 Graduation Mass
On Friday, 13th December at 12:00pm, all students will be attending the Graduation Mass for our Sts Peter and Paul Year 6 students. All are warmly invited to join us and celebrate the graduation of these very special students.
Kinder Nativity
On Tuesday 10th December, Kindergarten White shared with us all a very special Nativity that was enjoyed by many in our school community. A big thank you to Mrs Mortimer, Mrs Portolesi and KW for all of the hard work they put into preparing and practicing for this prayerful and moving retelling of the birth of Jesus.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Thank you to all families who have contributed to this year’s St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. There are many families in our local Woden area who will benefit greatly from our community’s generosity. We have collected an amazing amount of canned goods, Festive food and household necessities that will help in adding Christmas cheer to families less fortunate than our own. Tony from the local St Vincent de Paul Conference will attend morning assembly to collect our contributions, and thank the children on behalf of St Vincent de Paul.
Children’s Liturgy
Children’s liturgy is now happening at Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church’s 9:30 Sunday Mass once a month. All children who are Primary school aged (and smaller if they bring a parent/carer) are welcome to attend. The last Children’s liturgy of the year will be held on December 22nd at 9:30 am, I hope so see many of our children there.
Invitation from Fr John - Advent Meetings for Plenary Council
Last Friday our Parish held the first of two Advent meetings (the next being 10am and 7.30pm this Friday, 13 Dec, and four in Lent), to prayerfully discern a national and a local response to the first of six themes arising from the 220, 000 responses to the initial phase of the Plenary Council. All interested parties are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussion. Meetings are held in the Parish Centre at Curtin.
Dates for your Diary:
Friday 13th December – Year 6 Graduation Mass, 12:00pm
Sunday 22nd December – Children’s Liturgy will run during regular Sunday Mass 9:30am at Garran
Blessings for the week ahead in this Advent season,
Stephanie Burns
Religious Education Coordinator