As we busily prepare for Christmas:  planning, cleaning, spending, giving, attending breakups and various events, it is important we take a moment and reflect on what it all means for us and our families.  The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ, our Saviour, at Christmas.  All the readings in the Mass advise us most urgently to make ourselves ready, to be on the alert, to turn aside from our errant ways, and give more time to God in our lives.  The season of Advent encourages us to reflect and prepare for the coming of Jesus who came to show us a new way of being with God, ourselves and each other. 

This week at Holy Spirit we value patience.  Patience is a person's ability to wait something out or endure something tedious, without getting riled up.  Having patience means you can remain calm, even when you've been waiting forever or dealing with something painstakingly slow or trying to teach someone how to do something and they just don't get it.  This week, as we end the school year and enter the season of Advent, we pray our students and families show patience towards others and be on the lookout to help those in need.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL HAMPER:  A BIG THANK YOU to all who have generously donated items for our annual Christmas Hamper that was given to St Vincent de Paul this morning during our liturgy.  What a wonderful way to start the Christmas season by showing care and mercy for those less fortunate in our community. 

THE ADVENT WREATH:  The Advent wreath is a traditional centrepiece of the Christmas season.  A candle is lit on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas.  The first candle (violet) represents hope, the second (violet) peace, the third (rose) joy and the fourth (violet) love.  The central white candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Christ.  The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’; lighting the candles on the Advent wreath symbolises the coming of Light (Jesus) into the world.  The Advent Wreath teaches us about Christian preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth and making our hearts truly ready to receive Him.  Making an advent wreath and praying a blessing each week with your children is a wonderful way to countdown to Christmas. 

This week I end the year again with one of my favourite reflections.  I often use this reflection as a starting point to think of all the good things that have happened both in our school and lives.  I am sure that many of you have heard it before, but it is always good to hear it again.  At times there are a number of situations/circumstances that can impact everyday life at school but with a positive attitude, anything is possible.

One of the greatest Christian figures of the 20th Century, Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta, herself no stranger to "mobbing" in her prayer the Final Analysis, gives us courage in the tribulations that we face in our various social contexts, when we become the victims of lies, deceit, scheming and innuendo: "People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centred; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you; be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others may destroy overnight; create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; be happy anyway. The good you do today will often be forgotten; do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it may never be enough; give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway".

                                                                                                       (Mobbing is an emotional assault)

I hope you all have an enjoyable holiday and I look forward to seeing you all next year in 2020 to start the year again.  Best of luck to our Grade 6 senior students moving into High School and future endeavours.  Your contribution to Holy Spirit Catholic School will be remembered.

Have a safe and happy holiday. 

God bless.

Caroline Fuller