With Sharee Thomas 

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of a new liturgical year for the Church. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. It is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. Key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.

In this new liturgical year, the Gospel of Matthew will be the primary Gospel proclaimed (Lectionary Cycle A). In Sunday's Gospel, we hear Jesus speak about the need for wakefulness, for watchful waiting, for the coming of the Son of Man. No one knows the precise time of the coming of the Lord in glory, so watchful waiting and vigilance are required. The passage speaks to the uselessness of looking for signs; there will be none. As a thief sneaks in during the night, so will the Lord's coming in glory be.

Many of us feel the pressure early in the holiday season to be ready for Christmas. But this Gospel challenges us to be ready for something other than the gift-giving of Christmas.

As a family, talk about what it means to be ready for the day of the Lord. One of the roles of the family, the domestic church, is to be a school of faith leading one another to salvation. Reflect together as a family on how your family helps one another to be better Christians. Commit to one thing that your family will do this Advent season to help one another be better Christians.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

A reminder that we are collecting a variety of items for those less fortuntate than oursleves in our community.

Kinder: Confectionary (lollies, chocolate, potato chips, biscuits. NO NUTS)                                              

Year 1/2: Beverages (tea, coffee, milo, hot chocolate, juice, soft drink)

Year 3/4: Christmas Foods (Christmas cake, pudding, mice pies, boxed pavlova’s, shortbread etc.)

Year 5/6: Christmas items (Bon bons, decorations, wrapping paper, gift bags, Christmas stockings etc.)

We appreciate anything that you can give. Gifts can be placed under the Chirstmas tree in the front foyer. 

Have a great week!