News from the APRE - Mrs Amanda Saunders

This week has been very busy around the school with NAPLAN testing and we wish all our Year 3 and Year 5 students the very best of blessings as they complete the testing. Continuing on with our commitment to the Religious Life of our school this week we explain the Catholic Liturgical calendar. The calendar consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons that determine when feast day and other holy days are observed, and which Scripture and Gospel readings are used at Mass.

The Liturgical calendar year begins on the first Sunday of Advent and is divided into six seasons. Aside from the readings, the liturgical calendar also determines the interior decoration of a Church, the priests' vestment colours, the timing of spiritual seasons and practises such as Lent, and much more. The week we will focus on the seasons and colours that are seen within our St Joseph classrooms on our sacred spaces.

Liturgical Colours

Liturgies celebrated during the different seasons of the liturgical year have distinctive music and specific readings, prayers, and rituals. All of these work together to reflect the spirit of the particular season. The colours of the vestments that the priest wears during the liturgy also help express the character of the mysteries being celebrated.

White, the colour of joy and victory, is used for the seasons of Easter and Christmas. It is also used for the feasts of Our Lord, for feasts of Mary, the angels, and for saints who are not martyrs. Gold may also be used on solemn occasions.

Red (the colour of blood) is used on days when we celebrate the passion of Jesus on Passion Sunday and Good Friday. It is also used for the birthday feasts of the apostles and evangelists and for the celebrations of martyrs. Red (the colour of fire) recalls the Holy Spirit and is used on Pentecost and for the sacrament of Confirmation.

Green, seen everywhere in plants and trees, symbolizes life and hope and is used during Ordinary Time.

The colours violet or purple in Advent help us to remember that we are preparing for the coming of Christ. Lent, the season of penance and renewal, also uses the colours violet or purple.

Rose may be used on the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, and on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday. It expresses the joy of anticipation for Christmas and Easter, respectively.

 Thank you and blessings for a wonderful weekend,

Amanda