Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson
As we approach the end of November, we turn our attention to the upcoming Season of Advent. The Liturgical colour you will see in your churches is purple which symbolises royalty and preparation. Royalty as we prepare for the coming of the King of Kings, Jesus born into the world. Advent marks the beginning of the New Liturgical Year, and if you prepare well enough, you may wish to start your New Year’s resolution early, on 1 December.
The question we begin to ask ourselves should be, how do I prepare and what does this preparation look like in my life? Essentially we fast, pray and give alms (charity).
Both Lent and Advent are the seasons of preparation. I have always felt that there was something sombre about Lent. I suppose that in a Spiritual sense, our hearts are preparing for the Crucifixion, however, the crescendo of Lent is not the death of Jesus, but the Resurrection.
For Advent, in a physical sense, a lot of the build up of excitement is built on I believe, the decorations, the Christmas Carols and a live-in Elf that causes some level of mischief that my children love. There is a child like innocence about Christmas that washes across young and old. Jesus’ words, “You must become as little children” (Matthew 18), echo here for me when I think of Advent. In a spiritual sense, the hope I experience here is not sombre but joy filled.
As humans we have a body and soul and we can use our natural senses to connect our souls with the seasons of Advent and Christmas, as stated above, our ears hear the Carols, our eyes the decorations, our voices to sing. Our whole self is essentially taken up with the season and celebrate. In our joyfulness, we also need to fast, pray and perform acts of charity.
We know the Christmas story. There was no room for Mary and Joseph in all of Bethlehem except a humble stable. In 1986, Sr Sandra Sears wrote, “My Heart is a Stable”. It is in this song, we reflect on the idea that at Christmas, Jesus will enter our hearts. Is there room for him in the stable that is your heart?
When we think of fasting, we initially think of only giving up food, but fasting can be so much more meaningful. Is there a vice that has taken root in your life? Is Social Media affecting your health or your relationships with others? You can fast, give this up and make room in your heart. Fast from the things that are stopping a healthy relationship with God. Fasting is uncomfortable, but as psychologists point out, it can take as short as 18 days to break a habit and begin a new one.
We are also called to pray. If we want friendship with God, we need to treat him as a friend. Speak to him. If you like, place an our Father at the beginning and or end of your day. You may even try talking to him, vocalising your thoughts and feelings to him as though a trusted friend is sitting next to you, because he is. You may feel comfortable meditating. Our Catholic meditation asks us to focus on an object of meditation. You may wish to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, or try reading a short bible story and thinking about it.
Finally we are also called to give charity. Our College is currently involved in the Family2Family Christmas Appeal, supporting families in need in our local community through the St Vincent de Paul Society. The Family2Family appeal calls on us to bring in gift cards for families in need. The College has moved to giving gift cards since 2021. In moving to gift cards, families were able to buy what they need rather and receive something that they might already have or have no need for.
Each homeroom at the College has been allocated a family to buy gift cards for. Letters went home to all families in week 5 with information about who your daughter is to think about and to contribute to. We as humans love to receive gifts. There is something special, maybe not in the gift itself, but in the knowledge that you are loved, appreciated and someone, somewhere is thinking about you. But as we grow up (and we wish to instill this in our children) there is no receiving without a giver.
That giving is far more powerful, rewarding and profitable than receiving. Acts 20 points out that, “It is better to give than receive”. What makes Family2Family so rewarding is that it embodies the Mercy value of Compassion. You are buying something small for someone who will never know you, be able to thank you or repay you. The scriptures continually draw on this point, no clearer than Luke 14 when Jesus said, “Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection”.
Many things are still occurring at the College. On 21 November, Year 7 OLM students held their bake sale. Students raised over $400 which was donated to Vinnies Christmas Appeal. This was a great opportunity to be involved in College life, especially building on our Community spirit.
Today the College also sent their 2026 Student Leaders to meet Archbishop Anthony Fisher. He requested their presence to workshop on student focused servant leadership. He directed them to take a Christ centered approach to their leadership roles in 2026.
As ACYF approaches, our seven representatives from Year 10 have been preparing and it is getting exciting. We have been counting the days down since 40 days out. The girls will head to Melbourne on 29 November and return on 3 December. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they seek to grow in their relationship to God.
Finally on 5 December the College is holding their End of Year Mass. All parents and friends of the College are invited to celebrate the Eucharist with us as we begin the wind down to the holidays.
I hope your Advent begins well. Enter the season with hope and joy with a sense of intention to grow closer as a family, community and as a Child of God.
Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson