Newsletter

Advent and the Close of a Marvellous School Year

This Sunday marks the liturgical season of Advent. As we as a College community approach this time we find ourselves in anticipation, reflection, and preparation. The Advent season is a significant period in the Catholic calendar, a time when we prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a season marked by hope, peace, joy, and love – values that we can all embrace as we close out this school year.

It is a time for reflection and gratitude. Advent offers us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the blessings of the past year. We look back on all that we have accomplished as a school community: from academic achievements to sports triumphs, from creative projects to acts of kindness that have made a difference in the lives of others. The end of the year is also a moment to express gratitude for the friendships we've made and the lessons we've learned, both inside and outside the classroom.

As we prepare for Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of giving, not just in material gifts, but in sharing our time, talents, and compassion with others. Advent calls us to be generous in spirit, to recognise the needs of those around us, and to embody the values of faith and kindness. Whether through charity events, community service, or simple gestures of kindness, let us continue to shine a light of hope in our school and beyond.

Advent is a time of looking ahead with hope. While the end of the school year is often a time for goodbyes, it is also a time for new beginnings. As we wrap up our studies, and prepare for the holiday break, let us look ahead with hope. The New Year brings with it fresh opportunities for growth, learning, and new experiences. Let us use the time of Advent to remind ourselves that each day is a gift, and each new challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger.

As we enter this final stretch of the year, we wish all of our students, teachers, staff, and families a joyful and peaceful Advent. May this season be a time of deep reflection, spiritual growth, and joyful preparation for the celebrations to come. Let us look forward to the New Year with renewed energy and enthusiasm, knowing that together we are building a bright future, both in our school and in our hearts.

May the light of Advent guide us through the remaining weeks of the year and into the new one with hope, peace, and a spirit of joy.

Prayer

Loving and Gracious God,

As we enter this blessed season of Advent, we come before You with hearts full of hope and gratitude. We thank You for the many blessings You have given us throughout this year – for the lessons we have learned, the friendships we have made, and the growth we have experienced.

In this time of waiting and preparation, help us to focus on the true meaning of Advent: the coming of Your light into our world. May Your light shine brightly in our hearts, guiding us in kindness, compassion, and generosity. As we prepare for the celebration of Your birth, fill us with the peace and joy that only You can give.

Lord, we also lift up our school community as we near the end of this year. We thank You for the efforts of our teachers, staff, and students who have worked so hard. As we approach the holiday break, help us to reflect on the lessons we’ve learned, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the goals we’ve set. Give us the strength to finish this year with diligence and the wisdom to begin the new year with renewed purpose.

May this season of Advent be a time of quiet reflection, spiritual growth, and renewed hope. Help us to share Your love with those around us and to be a source of light to those who need it most.

Bless our school, our families, and all who are part of this community. We ask for Your grace as we finish this year and as we step into the new one, trusting in Your plan for us.

We pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

Michael Chesser
Director of Catholic Mission & Mercy Ethos