First Holy Communion Program
Please continue to keep in your prayers the children and families in our school and parish who are nearing the end of their preparation period.  

All Saints Day
Last Friday our whole school community joined the parish for Mass to commemorate the Solemnity of All Saints Day. Thank you to the students and their families for their efforts in coming dressed as saints.
Our saints and saints to be:
Kinder:  Noah - Blessed Carlo Acutis, Mason - St Francis of Assisi, and Lorrayne - St Joan of Ark.
Yr 1 saints:  Jezebel - St Mary, Zaynab - Our Lady of Fatima and Roukaya - St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
Yr 3 saints:  Gus and Liz - St Patrick, Ali - Imam Ali and Batoul - St Bernadette.
Yr 4 saints:  Alivia - Archangel Raphael, Azalea - St Peter, Marcus - St Luigi, Mason - St Maximilian Kolbe, Max - St Pope John Paul II, Fatima A - Our Lady of Fatima, Aya - St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Isla - Archangel Gabriel, Zeinab - Archangel Michael.
Yr 6 saint and saint to be:  Joshua - St Pope John Paul II and Ronan - Blessed Carlo Acutis
Father Damien was particularly pleased to see many Saints in his parish church and gave them all a special individual welcome to begin the mass. We are thankful to Father Damien, Deacon Mick, and Deacon Lawrie for their leadership of a thoughtful and meaningful liturgical celebration. Father Damien spoke about Carlos Acutis, who is likely to be canonised as the first millennial Saint in 2025. His homily was timely and thought-provoking - encouraging all of us to take up the challenge to be saints in our place in the world. The example of Carlos Acutis was of particular relevance to the young people in our school. Father Damien urged all of us to be like the Saints before us, to be people of peace, kindness and compassion. Congratulations to the students who were reverent participants in the celebration today. Thank you to the parents and families who were able to join us on this significant day.

The month of November for All Souls
As noted in our last newsletter, throughout November, our Church encourages us to pray for those who have died.  As you remember your loved ones in prayer this November, you may like to use the following prayer from our Tradition:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Mini Vinnies Food Drive - Christmas Hampers for St Vincent de Paul
For many, Christmas is about spending time with family and friends, sharing a meal, and creating meaningful memories.  For families experiencing financial difficulties, Christmas can be a particularly challenging time.
Over the next few weeks, our local St Vincent de Paul conference is seeking donations of festive food to add to the Christmas hampers they provide for those in need.  If your family is able to support this food drive, it would be greatly appreciated.  We would love your help with these donations:

Kindergarten	chocolates and pancake mix
Year 1	sweet and savoury biscuits
Year 2	family packs of chips and lollies
Year 3	soft drink and cordial
Year 4	plum puddings and Christmas cake
Year 5	tinned ham and long-life milk
Year 6	tinned fruit and long-life custard or cream
Open to All Age Groups	New toys for children aged 1 - 12 or gift vouchers.  (Gifts do not need to be wrapped.)

Donations are due to school by Thursday 5 December

Ms Marita Maloney
Religion Coordinator