Year 3/4 Class Parish Mass

Thank you to the students who led the parish Mass on Sunday. It was a lovely occasion and a wonderful opportunity for our families to take on different roles during the Mass.

Canberra Homeless Connect Event

Last week, four of our students volunteered with St Vincent de Paul at the Canberra Homeless Connect event. The event brought together people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with free services and support agencies there to assist them. St Benedict’s students have were invited to support the St Vincent de Paul Thread Together Clothing Hub at the event. Our student’s presence on the day was really special and it certainly put a smile on everyone's face. The St Vincent de Paul Society members were impressed by the manner in which they conducted themselves. They interacted with many different people who were experiencing different levels/types of hardship, and they did it with compassion, respect and integrity. They made a real difference to our Canberra community and we are incredibly proud of them. Each student has reflected on their experience below.

It was a great day. There were many services available on the day including St Vincent de Paul (SVDP), Orange Sky, Rainbow Paws, legal help and financial counselling. We were assisting with SVDP at the night patrol van as shopping assistants, helping people find clothing that they liked and that fitted them. Most importantly, we gave them someone to chat to. It felt really good to help someone that needed it. There were many other fun activities that we engaged in as well. It was a terrific experience volunteering and physically helping people. Thank you very much, Ms Wright for taking us. Brigid

Homeless Connect is a group of many stalls that have to do with supporting homeless people, poor people or people that are doing it tough in life. We were volunteers for the Vinnies Night Patrol van. People would come up and look at clothes they like for job interviews. It felt good to help people who needed it. I enjoyed it very much, it was a good experience and it definitely paid off in the end.Will

We went to Homeless Connect to help out as volunteers on the day, to help give out jackets, check sizes when handing jackets out and being a helping hand with the Homeless Connect. The tent that my friends and I were in was a tent full of clothes donated by Vinnies Thread Together.  The clothes were good quality. We did raffles, games and other things at the Homeless Connect. I had a lot of fun and I would like to go again! David

It was very fun going to Homelessness Connect. I loved working with all the people and getting to know them. It was like being a little shop assistant! There was so many different organisations there helping the homeless and every one was very kind. Shyla

Archdiocesan World Mission Month Mass

Year 5/6 Gold joined with other school communities and youth leaders from across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn to attend the Archdiocesan World Mission Month Mass lead by Archbishop Christopher at St Christopher’s Cathedral. As a Catholic school community we prayed for the work of Catholic Mission in Ghana at the Nazareth Home for God’s Children. We ask that our school community prays for these missionary disciples as they live out their vocation whilst faced with many challenges.

All Saints Day Mass

Next Friday (1^st November 10am) Year 3/4 Gold will be leading our school community in celebrating All Saints Day. All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church that is dedicated to the saints of the Church. Families are warmly invited to join us for this liturgical celebration. Morning tea will be provided by the families of students in Years 3/4 Gold. Parents are invited to stay after Mass for morning tea and a chat with in the Library. Parents of the hosting class are welcome to bring their child along to the morning tea.

Global Partnership Day

On Friday Week 4 (8^th November) our school community will be celebrating Global Partnership Day. Our Mini Vinnies are busy planning activities to help deepen our understanding of the lives of the children in our Global Schools Partner school in Kenya, Gesore Preparatory. In preparation for this event we need donations of plastic bags. Please send all plastic bag donations to Ms Wright. More information about Global Partnership Day will be sent home shortly.

Volunteers Needed
The St Benedict’s Parish Pastoral Council are looking for a team of volunteers to organise, set up and lead the Parish Family Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve (in the school hall). This vibrant family celebration has become a wonderful tradition in our parish. If you are able to assist or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office. Daniel.Benedetti@cg.org.au  (02) 6295 7879

Mini Vinnies need your help!
Mini Vinnies have been busy packing hygiene packs for the St Vincent de Paul Night

Patrol and they are officially out of toiletries. If you have any hotel toiletries or would like purchase travel toiletries please donate these to the Hygiene Donation Station in the Front Office hallway.  Toiletries that the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol needs are: soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, tissues, hand sanitiser, mouth wash, toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturiser, combs, hair brushes, tooth brushes, sanitary products and lip balm.

Your donations are greatly appreciated!

Community Meals Program

The Community Meals freezer is one way we can assist families who are experiencing hardship. If you are able to cook a meal, please use disposable containers and label with ingredients and date. All meal donations can be brought to the Front Office. If your family requires temporary meal assistance, you can speak in confidence to any of our staff members.