Many thanks for the items already donated! Some baskets are overflowing and have started a second! What amazing generosity. We will continue to collect donations until Monday 16 December. The St Vincent de Paul Conference are delighted to receive the food items. At yesterday’s Mass Mrs O’Brien and Mrs Compton were very appreciative of the generosity of the St Monica’s Community. They spoke about the number of families in our area who will receive a hamper this Christmas. Some of them might just happen to live in your street.

The Advent Wreath

Christians adopted the practice of making wreaths hundreds of years ago. The wreaths which were made then were very similar to the Advent wreaths we have today. Advent wreaths help us to count down and prepared for Christmas. Advent wreaths have their origins in northern Europe. During winter, people would light candles on wheel-shaped bundles of evergreen. The evergreen foliage and circle symbolise ongoing life. The candle gave comfort at the darkest time of year. The advent wreath usually has four candles. The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world and that his coming drives out the darkness. The three purple candles in the Advent wreath symbolise hope, peace and love. These candles are lit on the first, second and fourth Sundays of Advent. The third candle is pink and the fifth candle is usually white and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It symbolises Angels and the birth of Jesus.

Youth Ministry -Our Lady of Perpetual Help North Belconnen

From Monica Culas Youth Minister (Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and St Francis Xavier High School)

Youth Mass

Our final Youth Mass for the year will be held on Sunday 22 December 2019, at the 5.30 p.m. slot at St. Michael's, Kaleen. The Youth Mass dinner is done in a potluck style, where all parishioners have a fellowship. This has greatly helped our parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help grow as a community. All young people are invited to partake in this, including playing any instruments in the choir, reading, procession, etc. Feel free to contact me if anyone would like more information. :)  Monica.Culas@cg.org.au