From the APRIM

Dear Families,

Sacramental Program

This has commenced but if you are still wanting your child to participate, please email Bianca at parishassociate@nativityparish.com.au We are also looking at having a teenagers’ group for those who may have missed out on celebrating the sacraments during their primary years. This will be led by one of the young parishioners in a different format to the primary workshops. Please email Bianca if you would like more information.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

This is a program that has been developed for adults who would like to become members of the Catholic Church. Rene and Vee Pols support adults within this program. You may be from another Christian faith tradition, have no religious affiliation or are just curious to find out more. Please contact Bianca at parishassociate@nativityparish.com.au and she will put you in touch with Rene and Vee.

Thanksgiving and Graduation Mass

This will be held in the church during school hours on Wednesday 1 December at 9.15. Only parents of graduands will be able to attend. We were hoping that we would be able to return to our traditional Tuesday night Mass but restrictions have not been lifted to a level that will enable this. There is a great deal of preparation and liaising with different groups that needs to be done to ensure that the Mass runs smoothly. We are thankful that we can celebrate Mass together as a school community and we look forward to celebrating during the evening in 2022.

Giving Generously

Last Sunday’s readings focussed on two widows who gave generously, even though they had very little. Over the last week in the news, we saw and heard of people who gave generously. We saw volunteers scouring the countryside looking for Cleo Smith and police officers working long hours to piece together a complicated jigsaw puzzle of details, times and CCTV footage to find the missing girl. There was a collective sigh of relief that swept across Australia as we all gave thanks for the return of Cleo to her loving family.
We heard of the death of Russell Ebert, champion Port Adelaide footballer who gave selflessly to the community. AFL Chief Executive, Gillon McLachlan said that Ebert “was everything you would hope to be in a man, and perhaps the best of all of us.” Ebert’s honesty, integrity and care for others was unquestionable. Many stories have emerged of his off-field contributions that touched and improved the lives of others and there will be more that will remain untold in true, humble, Russell Ebert style.
Last Friday our students had a casual day to help support a parish family. It is the most we have ever raised on a casual day and I wish you could have seen Serveh’s face when I gave her the money and all the ‘hug’ cards that had been made with buddies. She has been so puzzled by the goodness shown to her by people who do not even know her. After some visa trouble as her family boarded the plane, they are now here in quarantine, bored but they are here.
God sees all, the good and the bad.
Goodness is quiet.
Goodness is not showy.
Goodness is generous.
The volunteers, police officers, Russell Ebert and our school families have given generously. Giving is to return to God what God has given us. As Father Mwaura reminded us last Sunday, “when much has been given, much is expected in return.”

Blessings,

Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission