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Last Sunday was the beginning of Advent and the start of the new liturgical year. This year the focus is on the Gospels of Luke. The first part of Advent focuses on the coming of Jesus at the end of time. It shows us why Jesus came into the world. In the liturgical calendar, the season of Advent means a joyful waiting, a waiting for someone with love. Here we wait for Jesus and there is the eagerness within us to receive him as we look forward to this great event of God becoming man. We wait for Jesus as his coming contains promise, love, preparation, alertness, reflectiveness, prayer, new beginnings and fulfilment. The name Advent comes from the Latin words, ad venire meaning to come to and adventus meaning an arrival of a person of importance, a king or a prince or a warrior leader, and in this context it refers to Christ’s coming into this world.
The theme of the first Week of Advent is hope.
Hope is a virtue that is critical for survival in life. We don't last long without it. We die physically, emotionally, and spiritually without it. Living involves hoping.
A great prayer during the Advent season would be a prayer of hope in Divine Mercy for the conversion of some person you know who is far away from God — even if that person may be yourself! Just utter these words, "Jesus, I trust in you," and he will not be far from you.
The theme of the second week of advent is peace.
As we pray for peace throughout our world in that week in Advent it is a useful time to reflect upon the peace in our own lives – do we find times of quiet and calm to be with God? And how do we work with others to be loving and forgiving?
The theme of the third week of advent is joy.
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called "Gaudete Sunday" (from Latin, meaning "Rejoice!), because the "Entrance Antiphon" of this Sunday's Mass is taken from Paul's letter to the Philippians: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near." (Phil 4:4-5b)
The theme of the fourth week of advent is love.
Love is a huge theme but in Advent particularly we focus on the importance of giving to others and trying to ensure that the warmth of Jesus’ love at Christmas will reach far and wide. By supporting those who are most in need we are showing that a baby born in a stable made a huge difference to the world.
Semester Reports
Semester 2 progress reports will be published next Wednesday afternoon. Just like reports last year, due to the impact of COVID on learning, they are a modified version of the report that would normally go out to you. Please take the opportunity to talk about your children’s learning and celebrate their successes. It is recommended that you download and save your child's academic report, especially Year 5 & 6 students or anyone that is leaving the school, as once a student leaves the school, they are no longer accessible plus Year 5 students will need reports for high school applications. Once you receive the report and wish to speak to the teacher, please call the office to schedule an appointment.
First Holy Communion
Please keep in your prayers the students who will be receiving Jesus first the first time on Saturday as they make their First Holy Communion.
Year 6 Events
The next week and a half are big weeks for our Year 6 students. On Tuesday they will join with Year 5 to celebrate the end of their primary schooling with a Mass. As parents and the rest of the school are unable to attend, the Mass will be recorded, and the link sent out for parents and other classes to witness. Thursday and Friday will be Year 6 activity days which will be fun filled days that are replacing camp that they were not able to attend. Monday of Week 11 a graduation dinner at the RSL will formally congratulate and farewell our 2021 Year 6 cohort.
Christmas Art
Congratulations to our students who achieved amazing results last week at the Christmas Story Art Awards. Sophie Malyn, Elsie White and Claire Dadd all received highly commended awards and Noah Faavae is a finalist for the next level in Sydney. Due toCOVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition Online Launch will be held on Sunday, 5 December at 12.30pm.
https://reonline.sydcatholicschools.nsw.edu.au/christmas-story/.
A big thank you and congratulations also to the teachers that mentored these students. Super work!
Staff News
We wish Mrs Archibold and her family all the best as they make the tree change at the end of this year to another beautiful part of the country to start new adventures. Mrs Johnson will be stepping down in the role as REC at the end of the year after many, many years in the position. We thank her for all of the work she has done, the dedication and commitment she has put into it, she has gone well over and above expectations. Mrs McFayden will be stepping in as Acting REC for next year.
Awards
The recipients of the last stage assemblies Awards_Assembly_Week_7.pdf
Congratulations to each of those students.
The last newsletter for the year will be sent out Wednesday 15th December.
Parish News
Christmas Mass Times
Vigil Mass Christmas Eve
5.00 p.m. Bowral
7.00 p.m. Bowral
9.00 p.m. Bowral
Christmas Morning Mass
8.00 a.m. Bowral
9.30 a.m. Bowral
Sunday 26 December, 2021
8.00 a.m. Bowral
9.30 a.m. Bowral
5.00 p.m. Bowral
Sacrament of Reconciliation
At St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral Wednesday 8 December, 2021 6.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.
Adoration
Holy Hour with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held next Wednesday 8 December, 2021 at 8.00 a.m. – 9.00 a.m.
School Fees
Due to several excursions, etc not going ahead this year, fee credits for every student have been processed and should be reflected in your school fee account. If you have any questions please speak with Shauna in the office.
Fees for 2022 will be billed at the beginning of January and are due 28 days later. If you wish to pay by instalments please complete the form which was sent out via Compass this week.
STA Uniform Shop
We have quite a lot of second-hand uniforms for sale in the P & F Uniform Shop @ $2 per item. The money raised from these sales will be donated to St Vincent de Paul at the end of the year.
for 2nd hand items. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED.