Dear Parents and Carers

This newsletter is sadly the last for 2022. It is hard to believe that another year has passed by and we are packing up our classrooms ready for a new year in 2023. The end of the school year of course, for the Catholic tradition and broader Christian faiths, signals the season of Christmas or the birth of Christ. The baby born in such humble beginnings sees the promise of God being kept, to love us by sending his only son to walk among us and show us the way to live harmoniously in community. The Christmas story is one of such depth and beauty, but reflective of the lives of us, the common people. 

We are called to reflect on the desperation of the heavily pregnant Mary and Joseph seeking shelter and probably like most parents, slightly annoyed by the Government’s decree to be in their town of birth for the census. Also possibly frustrated by the rough ride on a donkey and the number of potholes and corregations on the roads to Bethlehem. Only to have no where to stay and most probably being unable to afford to pay the tariff of any available rooms. 

We remember the Kings or Wise Men, spending years reading the stars and their ancient scrolls, searching for signs of this enormous cosmic event and saddling up their camel train to bring their finest gifts to greet this long promised and most powerful king. Imagine their surprise to travel such a distance to find the tiny baby, with his exhausted and puzzled parents, by the side of the manger. It would have been smelly and cold, most probably noisy with sheep and cows and various other animals crowded in. 

Then there were the Shepherds probably hoping for a quiet night in the fields and better still, possibly a few winks of sleep. Only to be disturbed by a tremendous light and angels singing, filling the night sky, no peaceful night here. I can only imagine the sheep scattering with the commotion. I’m sure the shepherds had to herd and secure the sheep and lambs before they could heed the angels calling and set off to Bethlehem. 

This story tells us that the people of Jesus’ time weren’t magical beings, they were ordinary people like you and I, with the ordinary worries that you and I have each day. They were annoyed and tired and busy like us, trying to get their jobs done and they were caught up in a story much bigger than themselves, they just didn't realise it at the time. This story is still being told thousands of years later. I’m pleased our God chose these individuals to help reveal this most sacred mystery. It is a story of faith and hope and love. If Mary and Joseph can suffer the many years of worry as parents of Jesus, we can do just the same with our own children. Let’s remember that we just have to do our best for each other, do whatever we do to bring hope and faith and love in our family, in our town, in our community and in our world. If we can do this, our children will follow in our footsteps. 

I would like to thank all of our families for their wonderful support over the last year, we have so much to celebrate and be grateful for in our St Mary’s School Community. We wish our Year 6 students every success as they step forth into High School and a wonderful future. Have a happy and holy Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in 2023.