FIRST COMMUNION

This Saturday, 21 November, and the following Saturday, 28 November, our Year 3 students and students from other grades and other schools, will be celebrating the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. This event will be held from 3-4pm in the Monsignor Downey Hall. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this is a private Mass for the candidates and their immediate families. Thank you to all those who have been involved in the preparation of these students, the families, staff and parishioners, and please continue to continue to pray for these Holy Communicants over the next 2 weeks.

BOOKINGS FOR MASSES

Registration for all Masses are now online.

For St Columbkille’s go to https://corrimalparish.eventbrite.com.au or scan the QR code to go straight to the registration page.

Registrations for Masses close 1 hour before each Mass. If you register after 2:30pm on Friday please take confirmation of registration with you to show the monitors at the Mass you are attending. Please contact the office if you need any help - bulli@dow.org.au

ADVENT 2020:

Is perhaps a chance to slow down, during the Christmas rush in this difficult year of 2020. I invite all parishioners to allocate a small table for your own Advent Candles. You, family and friends could use the “ADORE” Advent booklet each week or every few days, just to sit for a while and reflect on life and the great Christmas Season, when Jesus comes to us as a little baby born of Blessed Virgin Mary. Give yourself some time and space. May the Lord Bless you during this Advent, Fr Patrick

CARLO ACUTIS

The first millennial to be declared Blessed. Carlo Acutis (3.05.1991- 12.10.2006), an Italian Catholic teenager, born in London, was beatified in Assisi during Mass celebrated by Cardinal Agostino Vallini on 10th October 2020. Carlo was best known for documenting Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions from around the world and cataloguing them all onto a website that he himself had created before his death from leukemia. At a young age, he taught himself computer programming and loved Super Mario, Pokèmon and playing PlayStation and soccer in his spare time. Pope Francis has invited young people to look to the late Italian teenager as a model of holiness. Pope Francis recalled the 15- year- old Italian teenager as a “a young man in love with the Eucharist.” “He did not rest in comfortable immobility.” said the Pope. “He grasped the needs of his time, because he saw the face of Christ in the weakest.” Blessed Carlo Acutis’ example, he added, shows young people that “true happiness is found in putting God in the first place and serving Him in our brothers and sisters.” “ When we face the sun we get a tan….but when we face Jesus in the Eucharist we become saints.” Bl Carlo Acutis

ADVENT BOOKS

Limited copies of the Advent reflection book ‘Adore’ will be available from both churches until sold out. Cost $5 each

STAFF SPIRITUALITY DAY

This Friday, 20 November, St Columbkille’s staff will engage in a spirituality day focusing on ‘Gratitude- Celebrating What is Right in our World’. Tim Hart and Beth Riolo from the Catholic Education Office will lead the day with the staff really looking forward to this time of spiritual nourishment.

MINI VINNIES – ROCK YOUR SOCKS

Last Thursday, the 12 November, was the Rock Your Socks Day fundraiser. It was a fun day where students from K-6 were able to wear funky socks and bring in a gold coin donation. As a result, we were able to raise $394.45. This money will go directly to the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia. The Arrupe Centre, established by Bishop Kike in north-western Cambodia in 2001, has been a home for many people, especially children, living with a disability – helping to empower them and offer opportunities they might otherwise not have. Thank you to all students for their participation and donations.

Miss O'Leary, Mrs Herring and the Mini Vinnies.