With Sharee Thomas

REMEMBRANCE DAY

On 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. With their armies retreating and close to collapse, German leaders signed an Armistice, bringing to an end the First World War. From the summer of 1918, the five divisions of the Australian Corps had been at the forefront of the allied advance to victory. Beginning with their stunning success at the battle of Hamel in July, they helped to turn the tide of the war at Amiens in August, followed by the capture of Mont St Quentin and Pèronne, and the breaching of German defences at the Hindenburg Line in September. By early October the exhausted Australians were withdrawn from battle. They had achieved a fighting reputation out of proportion to their numbers, but victory had come at a heavy cost. They suffered almost 48,000 casualties during 1918, including more than 12,000 dead.

In the four years of the war more than 330,000 Australians had served overseas, and more than 60,000 of them had died. The social effects of these losses cast a long shadow over the post-war decades.

Each year on this day Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

Thank you to Year 3/4CA students who led the school community in a reverent Remembrance Day Prayer Celebration on Monday.

ILLUMINATE!

What an empowering and inspiring day last Friday! SJV was one of 8 schools who gathered from across Canberra at St Vincent's for the inaugural Illuminate student gathering. There were over 300 students who participted in keynote sessions, formation stations and a very moving response, where each child was prayed over by a member of the CYSMA team before recieving a personal crucifix necklace. Some of the students reflections below share just how powerful the day was. A special thank you to Theresa, our own Youth Minister, who was one of the MC's on the day and who continues to inspire our children to develop their relationship with God. 

Each Year 5 and 6 child has now received a personal invitation to continue the development of their rleationship with God by becoming part of the Parish Youth Ministry Program in 2020 and beyond.

"On the Illuminate Day we learnt how much God loves us."

"The day was about lighting up the world an dfinding our own light"

"It was a great opportunity to build a stringer relationship with God"

"I also came alot closer with God and I think that I can spend the rest of my life with God close to my heart."

"During the day we learnt how to be still, appreciate what we have and how to pray in different ways"

"I was honoured to be part of the day"

Have a great week!