HOPE     FAITH     JOY    PEACE

Stay awake! You never know when the Lord will come.

Mark 13: 33–37

This Sunday, November 28, begins our new liturgical year with the first Sunday of Advent – leading us into the Christmas season. It is a time to watch, wait and pray, as we await the coming of Jesus.

ADVENT WREATH

For many Christians, the ADVENT WREATH is a beautiful way to celebrate the month of December leading up to Christmas Day.

Although Advent Wreaths are popular among Christians, many are not aware of the rich meaning and symbolism embedded in the tradition. Learning about its meaning helps us appreciate it all the more, and we hope that this may inspire you to create one at home with your own family

The Advent Wreath is simply a circle of 5 candles that represent HOPE, FAITH, JOY, PEACE and the LIGHT OF THE GOD.

SHAPE

The circular shape of the wreath, without beginning or end, symbolises God’s unending love for us—a love that sent his Son into the world to redeem us from sin.  It also represents eternal life which becomes ours through faith in Jesus Christ.

COLOR

Violet is a liturgical colour that is used to signify a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice and is used during Advent and Lent. Advent is the season where we spiritually wait in our “darkness” with hopeful expectation for our promised redemption, just as the whole world did before Christ’s birth, and just as the whole world does now as we await his promised return.

LIGHTING YOUR CANDLES

1. The first violet candle to be lit on the 1^st Sunday of Advent, is the “Prophets’ Candle”, for HOPE, reminding us that Jesus is coming.
2. The “Bethlehem Candle”, is lit on the 2nd Sunday of Advent – it symbolises FAITH, reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s commitment to their journey to Bethlehem.
3. The 3^rd candle is the ROSE “Shepherd’s Candle”, lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. It symbolises JOY, reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, and that our wait for his advent is nearly over.
4. Finally, the remaining violet coloured “Angel’s Candle” is lit on the 4th Sunday of Advent. Itsymbolises PEACE, and reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will To Men.”
5. The white candle in the centre is lit on Christmas Day as the light of Godcoming into the world through the birth of Jesus ".

SET ONE UP FOR YOUR FAMILY!

Please head over to the Catholic Bookshop in Manuka for your advent candles, and set one up at home. It is a beautiful Christmas tradition to begin with your family!

A PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR YOUR WREATH:

Dear Lord, In the season of Advent, we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus. We recall the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future with hope.

We anticipate not only the birth of Jesus but also his presence in our JPC family.

We wait for the return of the Lord when all hopes will be fulfilled.

We await the coming of the light that will shine in the darkness, shining light on our path to peace.

Lord God, bless this wreath and bless us, as well. May this wreath remind us of the hope and joy that Jesus brings into the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

ST JOHN PAUL II – PRAY FOR US

Jennifer Tually
LEADER OF MISSION AND MINISTRY

This semester has seen the Photography and Media students master how to use a camera for portraits, creative photography and film work. To conclude the course, students have created advertisements, radio plays and most recently, have created their own photo gallery interpreting the concept of ‘adventure’. Students created galleries that explored spiritual journeys, nature and different landscapes, personal reflections, adventures through books and perspectives to challenge our understanding of adventure. A special congratulations to the following students who had been awarded winners for their creativity, technical skills and concept journey.

Mrs Danni Jewell and Mrs Sarah Smith
Photography and Media teachers

Y10 started their enrichment program yesterday. The students are participating in two days of wellbeing activities with the theme of ‘Life Beyond Year 10’. As our Year 10’s transition to life in the Senior years of our College, we are discussing strategies they can use when times are challenging.  Students have been listening to stories of teachers and their life experiences while also completing a session with the College counsellor, Ame Uidam. Getting to understand personal values, goals and habits in behaviour has been a focus of the 2 days and students are being challenged to continue reading over the holidays. It has been wonderful to have this time with the Y10’s and to focus on preparing them for Y11 and 12.

Mrs Kelly Candy
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing

In the Year 10 Chinese class students created beautiful Chinese opera masks.

The creations are very colourful and creative.

Well Done!

Please collect lost property items below from the College Office by the end of term.

Any items not collected with be either donated or thrown away.

Thank you

Prepare reflectively for Christmas using the free online Walking Together Advent resource. Created by families for families, this home-grown Archdiocesan program will be made available in 4 instalments - one each week - including a 10-minute video and downloadable discussion/reflection questions. Use it whenever suits you, alone or in a small group. Or join a weekly zoom discussion group. 

Watch a 3-minute trailer: https://youtu.be/0eaQJFCNxLI

Explore the resource: www.cgcatholic.org.au/ADVENT

Join a zoom discussion group this Sunday 4 pm or this Tuesday 10 am

Zoom link:               https://zoom.us/j/96186839540

Meeting ID:            961 8683 9540

Enquiries lara.kirk@cg.org.au 0429 192 869

Lara Kirk | Manager, Marriage, Family and Relationships                                

Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Archbishop’s Office for Evangelisation 

If you like supporting local theatre, then come see the play If I Could Save Her this December! Written and directed by JPC Teacher Shaylie Maskell (head director of Green Oak Theatre) and starring JPC Alumni Jeremy Chan and Amber Telford, the show is the latest original play to hit the Canberra theatre scene. We’re performing 6 shows from 16-19 December, perfect for an end-of-school celebration! Tickets available from $25 via https://www.trybooking.com/BRPOB. If you want to learn more about the show or company, check out www.greenoaktheatre.org.