Newsletter Week 10

 

The third Sunday of Advent in 2021 will be on Sunday, December 12th. There is so much comfort to be found in the practice of pausing to read, pray, and reflect over the course of the Advent season in which believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. The third Sunday of Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare in our hearts a sense of holy anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus as well as for his promised second coming. We can study the Scriptures as a reminder of the ways God has been faithful to us through the fulfillment of prophecy—and find hope in the promises of God that are laid out in his Word.

The third Sunday of Advent we are invited to reflect on the joy we have access to because of our faith in Jesus. One of the defining characteristics of Christ-followers is their joyful demeanor. Let’s not allow the struggles of this year, steal from the great joy we have because of Jesus.

 

Lord,

the good news of Jesus’ arrival brings such joy to our world!

Reach those who are lost and searching with the message of hope

that we have through the Messiah.

God, allow your message of peace to bring comfort to our anxious world.

As we all go about the holiday season, let the message of great joy

pierce through all the noise and into people's hearts.

Amen

 

Academic Reports

Academic reports will be available via Compass from 3pm today. As mentioned previously, the report format was a Diocesan initiative in consultation with NESA. No grades have been applied due to the limited amount of time students have been onsite this semester.

 

Classes for 2022

These will be announced on Monday with students having the opportunity to meet with their teacher during the afternoon block.

Congratulations Daisy & Lien

Daisy Maxted (4G) and Lien Tran (2B) who competed at the NSW Cheercon State Championships on December 5. For their division in this competition, the girls finished in 1st place!! They had been working very hard during this difficult year.

During competitions over the last two weekends, they have been awarded a number of medals. This is an awesome achievement for the girls and obviously something that they really enjoy doing

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMETABLE

With the easing of the square metre rule from the end of next week, Fr Duane has now confirmed the Christmas Mass times as follows:

*Friday 24 December

• 6pm TIGS Hall West Wollongong (Fr Duane)
• 6pm Immaculate Conception Church Unanderra (Fr Paul Gurr)
• 8pm Immaculate Conception Church Unanderra (Fr Paul Gurr)
• 9pm St Therese Church West Wollongong (Fr Duane)

*Saturday 25 December

• 8am Immaculate Conception Church Unanderra (Fr Duane)
• 10am St Therese Church West Wollongong (Fr Duane)
• 6pm Immaculate Conception Church Unanderra (Fr Duane)

 

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

*Sunday 26 December

• 8am Immaculate Conception Church Unanderra (Fr Duane)
• 10am St Therese Church West Wollongong (Fr Duane)

(Note: No Sunday 5pm Mass as Fr Duane will go home to visit family)

Fr Duane's 10 Year Anniversary

On Sunday, 19 December at the 10am Mass, Bishop Brian will celebrate the Mass to acknowledge Fr Duane's 10 years as a Priest. This is a big milestone for Fr Duane and a time where we, as a parish, can celebrate that we have such a warm and welcoming spiritual guide. From a school perspective, we know that we are blessed by having Fr Duane as part of our community. After the 10am Mass, a morning tea will be held in the school hall.

If any parents would like to contribute to the parish gift for Fr Duane, please place the money in a sealed envelope and send to Louise in the office.

Wonder_Recycling.pdf

Wonder_Recycling _pdf 112.30 KB

 

COVID 19:

For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19

Happy Birthday 

Principal's Awards

Principal’s Awards

Ben Kari - 3B

Silver Medallion

Pippa Kiley - 4G

Daisy Maxted - 4G

Texas Pike - 4G

 

St Therese School Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese

School Vision Statement

“St Therese Primary School – a dynamic, Catholic community

educating and empowering learners for life’s journey.”

PB4L at St Therese School takes the approach that opportunities for learning and achievement increase if:

• the school environment is positive and supportive
• expectations are consistently clear
• children are consistently taught desired behaviours
• children are consistently acknowledged for desired behaviours
• children are consistently responded to in a fair and equitable way

School leaders, teachers, support staff and students, are all involved.

Our school is fully committed to being a Positive Behaviour for Learning school and we will continue implementing this in 2022.

Ms Panozzo and the PB4L Team

RE News

Dear Parishioners,

As mentioned in my communication on Sunday, we begin public Masses this weekend, 23-24 October, with 6pm Saturday Vigil and 8am Sunday Mass at Unanderra, and 10am and 5pm Sunday Masses at West Wollongong, followed by usual weekday and weekend Mass timetable.

Having met with Immaculate Conception and St Therese (ICAST) PPCs last night, we have decided upon the following:

PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

As per the Diocesan Directives (attached):

• Vaccination is encouraged but not mandatory
• Masks must be worn inside the church
• 4 square metre rule applies at this time
• No congregational singing at this time
• Strong hygiene practices will be maintained
• QR Registration

REGISTRATION PROCESS

There will be no pre-registration for Masses. That process was demanding in terms of admin hours, and we will need to ensure ready availability of digitized records at short notice to the government in case of a Covid case. All attending Mass will be asked to use the Service NSW QR Code at first, and if unable to do so, the monitors will sign you in using a parish QR code.

IF YOU ARE RELUCTANT TO ATTEND PUBLIC MASSES AT THIS TIME

We understand that some are concerned about attending public Mass during stage 2 as churches are among the only venues allowing "mixing" of vaccinated and unvaccinated. If you are concerned for this reason, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do our best to organize Communion to be brought to you at home. (All ministers attending your home will be double vaccinated.) 

RECONCILIATION

Normal times for Reconciliation to resume from 5pm Saturday 23^rd October, please refer to the weekly bulletin this Friday for the details. In addition, Fr Jerzy will be offering Reconciliation from Monday 25^th October until Saturday 30^th October after Mass as needed.  

BAPTISMS

We are in the process of rescheduling baptisms that were postponed during lockdown. For any new requests please contact Kathy at the Parish Office (email: westwollongong@dow.org.au any time or call 4229 1074 on Tuesdays 9am-3pm).

God bless you all,
Fr Duane

Calendar Dates 2021

December 2021

8 - Reports released to Parents 

9 - 6pm Year 6 Graduation and Supper

10 - Year 6 Big Day In

11 - Confirmation Retreat Day 

13 - 2022 Classes announced

      7pm Confirmation Ceremony - Immaculate Conception, Unanderra

14 - 7pm Confirmation Ceremony - St Therese, West Wollongong

15 - Last Day Term 4 Students 

17 - Last day Term 4 Teachers and Staff

January 2022

26 - Australia Day 

27 - Student Vacation (Pupil Free Day)

28 - Term 1 Begins - Student Vacation (Pupil Free Day) - Staff Return

31 - Student Vacation (Pupil Free Day)

February 2022

1 - Students Return

     Best Start Assessments commence

7 - Best Start Asessments conclude

8 - Kindergarten 2022 commences

CANTEEN MENU 2021

OPEN FRIDAY'S ONLY