Newsletter Week 11

 

The fourth and final Sunday of Advent in 2021 is Sunday, December 19th. Advent is the season in which believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we meditate on the peace that Jesus brings our hearts and our world. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

This week we focus our hearts on the “Lord of peace” who came down from heaven in the form of a baby. God knows that we are in a constant battle against fear! Fear wants to cripple us, to push us to react rather than carefully respond, and fear steals our joy. God has given us the gift of peace so we can live joy-filled lives!

This year we all have faced so much chaos and uncertainty. God’s peace is something we need to grab tightly onto more than ever. May God’s spirit transform the days leading up to Christmas into a time to joyfully await our King!

Lord, I invite your peace to rule my heart! 

As I end this year and reflect on your many gifts you have given me; 

let my heart be encouraged with the truth that you are a good God. 

I thank you for sending your Son to die for me. 

I thank you for the peace I have through you. 

May my words and actions be ones that glorify you. Amen

 

Thank You & Best Wishes for this Christmas Season

Another year draws to a close and, as usual, is filled with mixed emotions:

• Joy and excitement for the Christmas and holiday season that we are entering into
• Sadness for the staff,students and families that we are farewelling, and
• Confusion and wonder for the covid guidelines and what the new school year will bring

During this season of Advent, the key themes are: Hope, Prepare, Joy, Peace. My wish is that you and your family have the opportunity to take some time to stop, relax and reflect on what is truly important in your lives.

 

Hair Cuts

Over the lockdown period, quite a few hair cuts (or lack thereof) have crept into the school. We haven’t worried too much about this as we have transitioned back to a somewhat normal routine. For 2022, could I refer parents back to our policy on hairstyles before students return for 2022. Boys hair should be cut above the collar and be a fairly even cut. Girls should have their hair tied back.

 

Class Teachers, 2022

It was only on Monday this week that we were able to fill our last teaching position.Class teachers for 2022 are:

 

Kinder Gold   Mrs Adele Walsh                            

Kinder Blue   Mrs Gail Crane

Year 1 Gold   Miss Stephanie Shalala                   

Year 1 Blue   Miss Dominique Tobin

Year 2 Gold   Mrs Anne-Marie Gilmore                 

Year 2 Blue   Mrs Maria Guido / Mrs Stacey Martinoski

Year 3 Gold   Mrs Maree Timpano                        

Year 3 Blue   Ms Liz Pellizzari

Year 4 Gold   Mr Mark Bunder                             

Year 4 Blue   Ms Mary Panozzo

Year 5 Gold   Mrs Kirra Calvert                           

 Year 5 Blue   Mr Andrew Edwards

Year 6 Gold   Mr Frank Timpano                          

Year 6 Blue   Mrs Michelle Devine

 

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)

Building

The kids only left yesterday and already, the building seems to have crept a whole lot closer!! Each new development is very exciting but it is unlikely that we will be in before the end of Term 1 next year.

 

COVID 19:

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

Happy Birthday 

Principal's Awards

Sofia Capasso - 3B

James Cummins - 3G

Silver Medallion

Anie Spralja - 6B

 

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

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

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