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!

We acknowledge all parents who are coaching and managing our kids through summer sports.

All Library Books due in Week 8

With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, students and families are reminded that all library books need to be returned in week 8.  This allows time to chase up overdue or missing loans and run a stock take of all books.

If you have any concerns about library loans, please contact me:

samantha.heath@cg.catholic.edu.au

Final Scholastic Book Club for the year - Issue 8 

The last Scholastic Book Club of the year is going home at the end of this week, it has a fantastic selection of Christmas gift ideas!  Please ensure you select the 'gift' option if you wish to be contacted to collect your order.

All book club orders need to be submitted by close of business, Monday 2nd December  (week 8) to allow enough time for the books to arrive before the end of term.  Please note, no late orders will be accepted.

Issue 8 can be found through this link:

https://www.scholastic.com.au/media/5384/bc819.pdf

Thank you very much to everyone who has purchased books through the Scholastic Book Club this year.  Your purchases have raised enough points to buy over $500.00 worth of new books for the SJV Library.  These new books are very popular as the students help select them from the catalogue.

ELC Christmas Concerts – Week 9.

Mango Orders – If you ordered a tray of mangoes through our fundraiser, we are expecting delivery next week.  Keep an eye on SZapp for a delivery notification.

Lost property – Please take the time to check the lost property basket located under the sign-in desk. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the end of the year.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal – If you are able to donate non-perishable food items, please leave your contributions under the Christmas tree in the front foyer before 10 December. If you have any spare boxes that could be used to pack items in, it would also be greatly appreciated.

Last Day of Term - The last day of Term 4 is Thursday 19 December.   The ELC will be running one day of holiday care for current ELC children on Friday 20 December.  Booking forms will be available under the notes section of the school website.

ELC Fees – As we are approaching the end of the year, prompt payment of fees would be appreciated.  It is important that you check your account balance to ensure you are paying the correct amount.  Please remember to cancel any automatic payments to ensure that you do not overpay your account as it may not be possible to process refunds before February.

Christmas Eve Children & Family Mass
For many years the Christmas Eve vigil Mass at St John Vianney’s has been a family-centred celebration of the birth of Jesus. A highlight is the re-enactment of the Nativity story, presented by the school children. Extended families and visitors have come to the Mass for its significance but also because the children are involved in this wonderful part of the life of the Church.

Father Michael invites parents and grandparents who would like to be part of this tradition to help to organise and rehearse the children for this year’s Mass. There’s a guide for how the re-enactment has been organised in past years, and room for any new ideas you may have after discussion with the parish office and Father Michael.

Without your support for your children this Mass just won’t happen. If you’d like to become involved, please contact the school or the parish office 8331 7611

Cathy Schneider & Marianne Forshaw

The Parish Christmas Party, Friday 6 December 2019 commencing at 6pm in the grounds of St John Vianney School, Waramanga. ALL PARISHIONERS are invited to come along to what has proved to be a wonderful evening in past years. It is meant for the whole parish. This Christmas Party is also a  special occasion for Fr Michael to thank, both in person and publicly, all parishioners for their generous involvement, support and work in the many areas of parish family life. If you would like to attend and haven't RSVP'd bring along a salad or dessert to share.  There is always plenty to share. As our parish footprint has expanded and as a sign of welcome and unity we would really like for all to come. Come along for an evening with friends and fellow parishioners.

Cathy Schneider & Marianne Forshaw
Parish secretaries
Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish
Weston Creek/South Molongo
87 Namatjira Drive
Waramanga ACT 2611
Phone: (02) 8331 7611
Email: westoncreek@cg.org.au
Weblog: https://stjjvwestoncreek.blogspot.com

WARAMUNCHIES Canteen is open Wednesday & Friday.  Orders can be made online via Qkr!  A copy of the Menu and Qkr! instructions can be found on the Canteen Waramuchies Webpage.

NEXT WEEKS CANTEEN ROSTER Wednesday December 4 Canteen Volunteers Needed Friday December 6 Carol Nolan Christine Burrows

Please remember to bring your WWVP card with you.

Canteen Volunteers Needed

Dates for Term 4

swimming_note_for_2020.pdf