ADVENT
As we begin the second week of Advent, we anticipate Christmas, and so we ask Christ to grant us his grace that we might be prepared for welcoming his birth. The third Sunday of Advent (12th December) marks a traditional turning point in this period of preparation, and we see it visually in the Advent wreath. We light the rose or pink candle which symbolises our JOY at the coming of Jesus. The purple candles of the first two weeks (and of the fourth week) are symbols of penance.

Christmas Masses
Please remember that all Masses will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, because of the social distancing requirements.

Please do not attend Mass if you have any coronavirus symptomssuch as coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever or fatigue. 

​Vigil Mass Christmas Eve 

• 5.00 p.m
• 7.00 p.m
• 9.00 p.m​

Christmas Morning Mass

• 8.00 a.m.
• 9.30 a.m.

Sunday 26th December ​​

• 8.00 a.m.        
• 9.30 a.m.        
• 5.00 p.m.        

REMINDER: Christmas cards and Columban Calendars are available to purchase. Please place the money in the Poor Box. 

Keep "Christ in Christmas"

Cards - packs of 8 @ $3.50 

Columban Calendars @ $9.00 each

Please put money in the Poor Box

THANK YOU
Thank you to all the wonderful donations of food for the St Vincent De Paul Christmas appeal. Every family has been very generous. This generosity will help families in our community to have an enjoyable Christmas.

A Christmas Prayer

Father, I pray that you will turn our hearts toward you as Christmas approaches.
Let us not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season this year and miss the chance to celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, joy, love, that you sent to us on that first Christmas.
That first Christmas, you gave us the gift of hope wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
Thank you, Father, for your immeasurable gift. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

YEAR 6 “2 DAYS OF FUN”
On the 2nd and 3rd of December, Year 6 participated in “2 days of fun” activities. These activities were to replace the Year 6 camp, as that was sadly cancelled due to the unforeseen circumstances of COVID.

On the first day, we jumped onto a bus, eager to arrive at our first destination, the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium. We started off the day by warming up, stretching and some quick games with our friends. After this, we broke up into a few groups, racing each other using skills and tricks that we were taught how to do. By the end of it, everyone was laughing, and the room began filling with cheerfulness and eagerness to enjoy what was still to come.

We participated in games such as 3 on 3 basketball games, relays and dribbling drills. It felt like we had only just arrived, but it was already lunchtime, and we were devouring our scrumptious snacks to get our energy back, as we would definitely need it for later. After lunch we dove into more exciting activities, and we finished off the day with a lengthy game of dodgeball. This was by far the most popular game so far, as everyone was joining in, not only as a player, but also as a cheerleader and everyone showed amazing sportsmanship. Thanks to Mr Tuckwell teaching us new skills and playing games with us. 

Everyone was hot and sweaty and were excited to board the air-conditioned bus. When we returned to school, we had pizza and watermelon and then everyone was ready for more fun and games. We continued constructing our scrapbooks while we waited for the school day to end and for the rest of the school’s students and teachers to leave home for the afternoon. After the scrapbooking, we started off our outside games with “Hide and Seek” around the whole school, and our teachers were seeking. Everyone had amazing hiding spots, from under tables to behind walls, we all had an awesome time. 

Later, we enjoyed a delicious sausage sizzle prepared by Mr Sherry. We then showed our talent in a class talent quest and were amazed by our classmates’ acts.

We finished off the night with a movie in the hall. Thanks to Mrs Mitchell, we had an exhilarating experience that night as she had organised lounges, pillows, comfy mats and even a tent and chairs.

The next day, we arrived at school and soon began walking down to the PCYC. There we split into two groups, one beginning a Ninja course and the other started boxing activities. The Ninja course taught us bar, balance and strength skills, while also being extremely enjoyable. The boxing activities brought out the perseverance and endurance in us, with boxing combinations, running and lower body strength. Then we participated in the multi-sport activities. In these games our supervisors chose a ball, and we had to play that sport in quick succession. We also participated in gymnastics games and a pleasurable gymnastics course. When we returned to school, we were extremely tired from the activities on both days.

On behalf of Year 6 2021, we would like to say thank you to all the people involved in organising these memorable days of fun. They were extremely enjoyable and we’re grateful that you have taken the time to organise and produce an awesome two days for us.

Year 6 Representatives                      

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