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Broken Bay School Communities prepare for Advent

 

School communities in the Diocese of Broken Bay prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth through Advent, helping students to answer the call as Catholics to be active in good works and generosity of spirit. Each of the 43 Catholic schools in the Diocese enthusiastically respond to the message of Advent, whether it be fund raising or collecting of hampers for charity.

At Mercy Catholic College Chatswood the focus is on collecting for hampers. Year 8 are collecting toys, educational supplies, hygiene items and party foods for ‘Operation Christmas Child’, a project of the Samaritan’s purse, whilst Years 7, 9, 10 and 11 are collecting toiletry items for Gethsemane House (run by the Josephite Sisters and de La Salle Brothers), a centre that looks after the forgotten people living in boarding houses and aged care who have no family contacts.

St Leo’s Catholic College Wahroonga answers the call of Advent on a large scale.  2006 saw the St Leo’s school community embrace a large Christmas project providing personal gifts to 708 men and women in boarding houses, aged care and group homes across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Central Coast. The outcome was so remarkable that the school is in the midst of doing it again in 2007.

During Advent the teaching of Church tradition is also very important. Mercy College Chatswood focuses on particular traditions for each Year group and tie these in with the Religious Education program for the term. Year 7 learn about the Jesse Tree and genealogy of Jesus; Year 8 learn about the custom of the Advent Wreath, Year 9 about the ‘O’ Antiphons, picking up the story of salvation and the love and compassion of God, and finally, Year 10 focus on ‘Mary as Model of Discipleship’. The Jesse Tree, Advent Wreath and O Antiphon’s are displayed in the school along with a Nativity scene, becoming a focus for prayer and reflection.

All of the schools within the Diocese reflect on Advent and the school year that was with the celebration of either a ‘Liturgy of the Word’ or ‘Celebration of the Eucharist’ during December.   Students from MacKillop Catholic College Warnervale contributed to their celebration sharing with each other how important Advent and Christmas is to them:

Advent is a time of preparation for the love and faith of Jesus Christ.  At Advent, we reflect on Jesus and being committed to what we know needs to be done.  Advent is when we light the candles in preparation of Jesus coming to us.  Advent reminds us that it is four weeks to Christmas; a time of caring, forgiving and also connecting with the church.  Advent is a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and to refresh our Catholic faith and reflect upon it.