From the APRIM

Dear Families,

Sacrament Program

After collating the recent survey responses, there is an information session for parents THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER at 7pm at the church transportable. The Reconciliation workshops will commence next Tuesday after school at 3.30pm. This is a great opportunity especially for our Middle School students who have not completed their Sacraments of Initiation to start.
We also welcome Year 3, 4 and 5 students. We will speak with the enrolled families to determine the days and times of the remaining 2022 workshops for Confirmation and Holy Communion.
If you are not able to attend the information session, please still contact Bianca at parishassociate@nativityparish.com.au

Last Sunday’s Gospel told the story of Bartimaeus who was blind. He was determined to see Jesus and kept calling out, even though others tried to keep him quiet. Jesus healed him and told him that his faith had saved him.

Very few of us have been in the situation of not being to see but most of us at some stage in our lives have been blind to things going on around us. Appearances do not always give the entire picture. As we sit next to people on the bus or train, or sit in our cars at traffic lights, or even stand near people at pick-up time, we cannot see everything that is going on in other people’s lives.

Our school’s fundraising for this term is supporting our students to ‘see’ other people. The School Leadership Team will co-ordinate our annual Vinnie’s Christmas Food Appeal as well as another special fundraiser in a couple of weeks’ time.

One of our parishioner’s, Serveh left Iran four years ago in fear for her life because she wanted to become a Christian. She had to leave behind her husband and two children. I had ‘seen’ Serveh at Mass for the past four years and knew she came from Iran. It was only in July through a chance meeting that I heard her story and learnt to ‘see’ her differently.

After all this time Serveh’s family have visas to settle in Australia and are due to arrive next Tuesday. It has been a privilege to support Serveh and it has opened my own eyes to my blindness. Serveh doesn’t agree with me but she has been a gift to our parish. She has taught us to ‘see’ past appearances, to be grateful for all that we have and to treasure the opportunity we have, to worship in a faith of our own choosing.
When her family disembark on Tuesday (God willing), people will see a Dad and his two children with a suitcase each. What they won’t know is that contained in those suitcases are ALL their possessions.

In the next couple of weeks, our school community will have the opportunity to help Serveh and her family. Stay tuned for more information from the SLT.

In the meantime, I ask you to pray for Serveh and her family.

We pray that they will be able to board on All Saints Day, next Monday and arrive safely on Tuesday.
We pray that they will complete their quarantine without difficulties.
We pray that Serveh will be able to find them a home.
We pray that this precious family will be able to be together and forge a new life in Australia, with love, faith and hope.

Blessings,

Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission