DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - Lize Privitera
Advent
Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of the new liturgical year. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. Advent 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. The key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.
Each week a grade level will lead the school in prayer. Thank you to the middle level students and their teachers who will lead tomorrow’s Advent liturgy, focussing this week’s prayer celebration being called to be prophets of Christ, who announce by our lives the coming of the Lord, as John the Baptist did.
First Sunday of Advent, Cycle C Sunday, November 28, 2021
Luke 21:25-28,34-36
Jesus teaches his disciples to be vigilant so that they will be ready when the Son of Man comes in glory.
In next Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about the things that will happen when he comes again. Some people will be afraid. But Jesus tells us we don’t need to be afraid. Jesus tells his disciples that they can stand tall because he loves them and has saved them. We can trust Jesus. He loves us and is with us, no matter what kind of day we are having. We can tell God about our day and our feelings in our prayer. He always listens to us. He gives us strength and courage to get through hard days.
Christmas Appeal supporting St Vincent de Paul
There are only 30 days to Christmas! Each year at this time the MacKillop Kids group get together to facilitate the Christmas Appeal. This year has been a challenge for many families and organisations like St Vincent de Paul seek support from Parishes and schools to give generously to the 2021 Christmas Appeal. Donations of suitable new toys for children aged 5-12 years would be appreciated for parents to give gifts they know their children dream of. Please place gifts in classroom collection boxes. The Appeal will run through to 10th December.
We hold in our prayers the students who have recently received and those receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist during mass celebrations to be held this weekend, with the final First Eucharist celebration on the week end of December 4th.
Lord Jesus Christ, bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time.
May this day be the step toward a life-long love of the Eucharist. May the strength of Jesus' love
and the joy of this holy day remain forever in your hearts.
Child Safety and Wellbeing
At Mary MacKillop Primary School, we believe that ensuring the safety of the students in our care is an integral part of who we are as a Catholic faith community. We adhere to Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order No. 870. We embed a culture of child safety and the matter is taken very seriously.
“Children are the future of the human family: all of us are expected to promote their growth, health and tranquillity,” Pope Francis 2021
Resources to support parents and carers:
Parent self-care matters - Taking care of their own wellbeing will help parents become the best parents they can be, providing real-life examples for their children to follow. View the article below:
Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Information
Mary MacKillop Primary School is one of the three Parish Primary Schools belonging to the Parish of Our Lady Help of Christians, Narre Warren within the Diocese of Sale. Fr Brendan Hogan is our Parish Priest and Fr Isuru Weliwatte is our Assistant Priest. We are grateful for their ongoing prayers, involvement and support of the students, families and staff of Mary MacKillop School.
Click on the link below to download the weekly Parish newsletter.