NEWS FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR'S DESK
HOLY COMMUNION
Over the next two weekends, students from Year 3 will be receiving their First Holy Communion. Weeks of preparation and learning will culminate in the Sacramental Masses being celebrated in our Lumen Christi Catholic Parishes. Congratulations to all our children as they continue their journey in their Catholic Faith.
And so we pray:
Lord Jesus
Bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time. May this day be an initial step into the lifelong love of the Eucharist. Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, wisdom and guidance as they grow into full discipleship. We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen
VINNIES VAN APPEAL
The St Vincent de Paul Society's members and volunteers reach out to the most vulnerable in our community through their Conferences, Special Works and Vinnies shops. Members and volunteers assist people in need and do not discriminate against cultural, religious or political beliefs.
Each year St Vincent de Paul Homelessness Coordination Services and the Illawarra/Shoalhaven Vinnies Van based at 12-16 Miller Street, Coniston, provide over 240 hampers filled with pantry items, Christmas goodies, small toys and other items.
So this year, our St Brigid's community will be contributing to two hamper drives.
The first one, for the Vinnies Van will take place next week. I have indicated in the table below the items that each grade will need to bring in, however any donation will be appreciated.
The second fundraiser will take place in Week 9 and this will be for our local conference of St Vincent de Paul. More information regarding this will be in the next Brigid Bulletin.
I understand that this is a big ask for this time of the year, but we are the fortunate ones!
All items MUST be at school by Friday 27 November 2020.
Thank you in advance, for your support and generosity.
| GRADE | ITEM |
| Kindergarten | Large packet chips / Packets of jelly crystals |
| Year 1 | Canned fruit |
| Year 2 | Packets of lollies |
| Year 3 | Shortbread biscuits |
| Year 4 | Men's toiletry items (deodorant, soap, shaving cream etc) |
| Year 5 | Fruit mince pies / Christmas cake |
| Year 6G | Long life custard |
| Year 6W | Puddings |
| Sunday 22 November 2020 |
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING of the UNIVERSE We have now come to the end of the liturgical year, the point that marks the transition from one period to another. Today we see that the kingdom of God is inclusive. Its embrace is as comprehensive as is the embrace of God. Criteria for membership are not based on obedience to the commandments or on conformity to ritual obligation, but on the bonds of love and concern. What we do for others, we do for Christ, because Christ is identified with those in need. We very seldom see the face of the glorified Christ in the faces of the needy; it is more often the face of the disfigured Christ that is turned to us. We see his fear and his shame, his brokenness and sense of loss. As difficult as it may be to look into such eyes, it is precisely the needy with whom Christ is identified. Having entered into the frailty of human nature, identified himself with the needy, and handed himself over to death, in the end Christ will have conquered all. It is a curious kingdom that he has won, a kingdom of the weak rather than the strong. He has turned the standards of the world upside down. He has shown that it does not take strength to ignore or to exploit the needy, but it does take strength to overcome our own selfishness in order to serve them. The kingdom that Christ hands over to God is a kingdom of love and care. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
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| Sunday 29 November 2020 |
FIRST SUNDAY of ADVENT Waiting is a prominent image this Sunday. Some people wait to be released from suffering, others await the second coming of Christ. Waiting saps our energies and stifles our enthusiasm. Yet wait we must, and as we wait, we wonder: ‘What should I be doing?’ The readings suggest that we should wait with patient expectation for the day of reconciliation and peace; we should wait in joyful hope that what is to come will come soon. While we wait, we should faithfully fulfil our responsibilities. We believe that we have a future worth waiting for, that there are promises that God will keep. And so we look expectantly to the Day of the Lord, that future day of ultimate fulfilment. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
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PODCAST SERIES - RIPPLES
Ripples is a PODCAST developed for staff and parent's on-going spiritual formation. It seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation.
Practices like these create a ripple effect. They have the potential to impact the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, to creation and to our loving God. Come and enjoy some Inspired Voices and Treasured Stillness.
The Ripples Podcast is now available