From the APRIM
Dear Families
Today at the Reception K and Year 2 Mass, we heard from the Gospel of Matthew about the two great commandments about love. Father Santiago asked the students, “What did you hear?” and one boy answered “to love God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind.” What a good listener! The other commandment is to love others as much as you love yourself. Another student piped up with ‘You need to love yourself.” How true!
Love is described in 1 Corinthians.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
How do we show love? Is it what we say… or don’t say? Is it what we do… or don’t do? What do we model to our children? Throughout this term we will be asking people to show love by supporting the Vinnies Christmas Food Appeal. As you collect your donations, talk with your child about how this is showing love, how there are people who need to learn that they matter and matter absolutely. (More information coming next week.)
Recently I was explaining to parishioners about their obligations to have a Working with Children Check. We all agreed that the paperwork involved, is annoying. However, it is also an act of love, a personal commitment to say that “I love you and I am going to do everything I can to keep you safe.” Is your check up-to-date? Have you completed the online training?
But the greatest of these is love.
Sacraments and Becoming a Catholic
Our sacrament program for children is underway again as they prepare to celebrate their first Eucharist. It may be that some parents have questions about the Catholic faith themselves and would like to find out some more information on what is involved in becoming a Catholic. Or perhaps in your life journey, you missed out on completing your Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist). There may be some high school age students who did not have the opportunity to complete their Sacrament Program. I am here to help! If you have any questions, please see me, ring (8270 3177) or email sblack@nativity.catholic.edu.au. Alternatively, Bianca Cotton is also happy to answer your questions. She can be contacted on 8270 2158 on Tuesdays or Thursday, by email abnativity.adam.com.au or if you can catch her, at drop-off or pick-up time at school! We look forward to speaking with you.
Blessings,
Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
