This Sunday's reading is from the holy Gospel according to John: Pilate questions Jesus about his identity.

This week marks the end of the liturgical year. Next week, with the first week of Advent, we begin the new liturgical cycle. It is fitting that the Church concludes the liturgical year with the celebration of Christ the King. 

Pope Francis reflects, "History teaches us that kingdoms founded on the use of force and the abuse of power are fragile and will eventually collapse." Jesus makes it clear that his kingdom differs from the typical worldly kingdoms Pilate knows. As the Pope puts it, Jesus "did not come to dominate but to serve. He did not arrive with signs of power but through the power of signs."

In our celebration of Christ the King, we should focus on aligning ourselves and the Church with the values of Jesus' kingdom.

One defining characteristic of this kingdom, as the Pope suggests, is that it is "liberating; there is nothing oppressive about it." Jesus, he notes, "treats every disciple as a friend, not as a subject." Therefore, the Church should be a place of welcome.

The Church should also prioritise transparency and truthfulness. The Pope states, "When Jesus reigns in the heart, he frees it from hypocrisy, subterfuge, and duplicity." He emphasises that if we genuinely "live under the lordship of Jesus," we cannot "live double lives." By telling Pilate that he bears witness to "the truth," Jesus invites us to do the same. Adapted from Reflection by Nick Brodie

 St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal 2024 

This week we launch our St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.  Every year the St Vincent de Paul Society helps our community members by providing food, gifts and support to those in need at Christmas time. This year, due to the cost of living crisis, more people than ever before need the support of Vinnies to have the Christmas they deserve.

This year we ask each grade to donate to our drive:

• Kindergarten: Christmas cake/fruit mince pies/ Christmas puddings 
• Year 1: shortbread/ long life cream/ long life custard/ dry pasta/ rice
• Year 2: packets of biscuits (sweet and savoury)
• Year 3: Christmas bonbons/ Christmas napkins/ Christmas tablecloths
• Year 4: pasta sauces/ prepared rice meals/ curry or stir fry sauces/ meal kits (e.g. tacos etc.) and gravy
• Year 5: jelly packets/ savoury chips/ jams and spreads
• Year 6: juice/ juice boxes/ soft drinks/ tinned fruit.

If you would like to donate decorations, Christmas crackers, or other non-perishable food items, we would greatly appreciate your contributions. The food you donate will be used to create Christmas hampers, which Vinnies will deliver to families in our local community, ensuring they can enjoy a wonderful Christmas lunch this year. We kindly ask that all donations be sent in by Wednesday, 11 December, 2024 (Week 9). 

Thank you for your generosity!

Kind regards

Susan Strickland

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)