There can be a beautiful simplicity about Christmas that is calming to our senses amidst the furious activity of daily life at this time of the year. When we listen to carols and view the sanitised stable scenes that are in our cribs at school, church and home, we are comforted as we are when we read verse such as this:

“Long ago, one winter’s night

The air without was cold,

Mary and Joseph shelter sought

The inns are full they’re told.

They found a cave – a stable
And with oxen resting there,
The Babe was born, the King of Kings, Yes, in a manger bare.

The shepherds came, adoring Him

Great joy their hearts did fill,

Angels sang, Glory to God on High,

Peace on earth to men of good will.” Extract. Christmas. Patrick McCormack.

However, for Mary and Joseph the birth of Jesus was far from being calming and comforting. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, four days journey north of Bethlehem. Mary is a teenage mother to be and a journey late in her pregnancy is difficult for her. For Mary and Joseph this was a time of hardship and anxiety.

Long after the angels disappear into the heavens, the shepherds return to their flocks, the wise men journey home, Jesus remains. The infant babe, in whom we rediscover God’s great love for humanity, becomes the adult who challenges us to imitate His selflessness and compassion, to recreate our lives, to make the peace, justice and hope of Christians a reality throughout the seasons of the year.

Christmas is not only the commemoration of an historical event that occurred 2000 years ago, it is a spiritual event to be lived within each of us. Our mission is to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas and we do this by being holy people – kind, patient, generous, loving, laughing people no matter how maddening the Christmas rush around us.

The meaning of Christmas, perhaps might look something like this:

“It’s sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts.
It’s not wrapping presents, it’s being present and wrapping your arms around the ones you love.

It’s not getting Christmas cards out on time, it’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time.
It’s not having the best Christmas light display, it’s displaying the Christ light that comes from your heart. It’s not Santa coming down the chimney, it’s Jesus coming down from heaven and giving us the gift of Himself.” Author unknown.

Dear Parents

It is with great emotion that I am writing this newsletter to the wonderful community of St Patrick’s. In saying farewell to you all I cannot thank you enough for your kind words, gifts and good wishes on my retirement. Many thanks for your support over the last nine years. I am at peace in the fact that I am handing over to Miss Tobin a wonderful school, staff and parent community of St Patrick’s Port Kembla.

A big thank you to Mrs Crofts for teaching year 1 in Miss Figueira’s absence. We wish you every best wish for Christmas and St Therese next year.

Thank you to Miss Phillips who also worked with Mrs Crofts during Term 4 on Year 1. 

Staff List for 2022

( This may change over the course of the term due to staff leave)

SSSO and SSO

I wish you and your families a holy and happy Christmas and a healthy and wonderful New Year.

Mrs Anne Duggan - Principal