CCD Honours Priests Teaching SRE

Transcription

1 September 2009 CCD Honours Priests Teaching SRE in the Year for Priests 19 June 2009 to 20 June 2010 Archdiocese of Sydney CCD Newsletter

2 C O N T E N T S 2 From the Director 3 From the Faith Education Officers 5 Archdiocesan Catechist Gathering 6 Public School Mass Success Story 7 Year for Priests Special: Catechist Profile 8 Curriculum Update 8 Accreditation Courses Catechist Ministry Certificate CCD Calendar 10 Annual Catechist Mass 2009 F R O N T C O V E R Clockwise from top are Fr Liem Duong, Fr Patrick Hurley, Fr Andrew Benton, Fr Joseph Kolodziej, Fr Noel Short and Fr Danai Penollar. They are among the priests who teach SRE in Sydney public schools. Photos courtesy of Kerry Myers, Henry Iglinski and the Catholic Development Fund. D I R E C T O R Robert Haddad rhaddad@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au B U S I N E S S M A N A G E R Eddie Kropkowski eddie.krop@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au W E B S I T E S C C D H E A D O F F I C E Address: Polding Centre, Level Liverpool Street Sydney NSW 2000 Postal: PO Box A286, Sydney South NSW 1235 Ph (02) Fax (02) C C D R E G I O N A L O F F I C E S Unit 2, 50 Kiora Rd, Miranda NSW 2228 Phone (02) CCD Smithfield 8 Justin St, Smithfield NSW 2164 Phone (02) E X E C U T I V E A S S I S T A N T Mimi Jane Rivera (02) for RSVPs F A I T H E D U C A T I O N O F F I C E R S Bankstown Marijana Nujic City Robert Milan Concord Philomena Smith Sutherland/St George Denise Humphreys Western Teresa Culjak From the Director, Robert Haddad Dear Catechists, I am glad to report news and developments in the following areas: Staff changes: Mary Carolan has resigned as the FEO for City Area. Since July 1, Robert Milan has assumed the role as FEO for City. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Philomena Smith as the new FEO for Concord Area, commencing Monday, August 24. I wish Robert and Philomena all the best in their new roles. Parish surveys: A thank you to all coordinators and catechists who completed the Parish Needs Survey form. Later this year the FEOs and I will go through all the forms and plot strategies and targets for Catechist Coordinator meetings: I was once again pleased to meet coordinators from each of the five areas during July. Your feedback concerning the new Kindergarten and Year 1 Activity Books and the proposed changes to Area boundaries was much appreciated. Census forms 2009: All census forms have now been returned. The 2009 figures for catechists and students are encouraging. More to come; stay tuned. Curriculum development update: Please read report on page 8. High School Catechists project: Discussion has recently taken place with Dr Dan White, Executive Director of Schools, CEO Sydney, concerning the expansion of this project to other schools. The prospects for expansion are encouraging. Youth for Christ initiative: Youth for Christ is an active apostolate engaged in evangelising to High School students in Catholic schools. As of 2010, they will be available to do similar work in public secondary schools within the Archdiocese. Annual Catechist Mass awardees: A record number of 146 awards will be given out at this year s Annual Catechist Mass, up from 82 for Boundary changes: Consultation is continuing regarding proposed changes to the Area boundaries. The feedback has been generally favourable. Changes will be announced and implemented as of January 1, The next Catechist Gathering will be held in the Catholic Centre in Lidcombe on 12 October. 2 Robert Haddad

3 C I T Y Robert Milan From the Faith Education Officers C O N C O R D Philomena Smith Congratulations to the 2009 Annual Catechist Mass awardees from the City Area. I invite all catechists to this important CCD event on 27 September. By end of November, plans need to be finalised for the 2010 City Area Mass. Coordinators, if you wish to hold the next City Area Mass in your parish, please contact me on asap after parish priest and catechist discussion. I am available to continue the Child Protection inservices across the City Area. Upon coordinator request, I am happy to hold a Child Protection inservice in the parish. I also welcome invitations to end of year events, recruitment weekends or anything that I can assist with. I will hold Accreditation Courses throughout 2010 to encourage further professional development. Wishing you all a fruitful final term and a safe holiday. Yours in Christ, Robert Tel: Fax: robert.milan@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au S U T H E R L A N D / S T G E O R G E Thank you for all your help with the Annual Mass. It is all the work that goes on behind the scenes that makes these events memorable. Term 3 is the time many parishes celebrate First Holy Communion. In the Sutherland Area this sacramental preparation often involves the catechists and the parents of the public school children. Recently, Gymea Parish prepared a group of 49 children, together with their parents, for their First Holy Communion. Most of the parents involved in these programs are very grateful for the opportunity to learn more about their faith. Term 4 SRE classes often end much sooner than you expect, sometimes as early as the last week in Hello to all catechists and parish catechist coordinators in the Concord area. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as new Faith Education Officer. I am very thankful for this opportunity to serve in this important ministry and look forward to working with you. I have been a catechist in the Concord area in the past with St Kevin s Eastwood at Eastwood Public school where I had the fantastic experience of teaching Kindergarten and Year 5. During that time I came across several dedicated and inspiring people who taught the Catholic faith in public schools. I would like to thank each one of you for being so generous with your time sharing your faith and prayers to the young people in our public schools. I would like to thank Robert Milan for his dedication and the good work that he has done for the Concord Area. I hope to have the opportunity to meet many of you at the Annual Catechist Mass at St Mary s Cathedral on Sunday 27 September at 2pm. God bless, Philomena Denise Humphreys November. This gives you just six lessons and often there is a combined service on the last scripture day. Check with your coordinator. Tel: Fax: philomena@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au I am looking forward to receiving the entries for the Christmas Story Art Competition from our Yr 5 and Yr 6 students. Ten CCD entries will be chosen to be part of the Art display in the Crypt of the Cathedral during Advent. Denise Tel: Fax: denise.humphreys@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au 3

4 B A N K S T O W N The last few months have been very busy with many Child Protection inservices in various parishes across the area. Thank you to the coordinators and catechists who have attended these meetings. For those who have missed out, keep an eye on the CCD noticeboard and newsletter for future inservices. Congratulations to all those who have succesfully completed the Intermediate Course at Regina Coeli, Beverly Hills and the Advanced Course at St John of God, Auburn. All of us were inspired by the many opportunities we had to share our faith and our experiences in the classroom. Thank you for your commitment and also for the many ways you contribute each week. Also, as some of you may already know, I am embarking on the new journey of motherhood and am expecting my first child in late October. I am so grateful for all your support and it has been such a blessing and honour to assist you in your work as coordinators and W E S T E R N Teresa Culjak Greetings to all in the Western Area! Interested in learning more about Scripture? You are welcome to join catechists from the Western Area for our weekly Bible Study at Smithfield Parish on Mondays from 10 11:30am. The study looks at the Acts of the Apostles, examining a chapter each week. Mary Day, a retreat for women will be held on October 30, 2009 at Mt Schoenstatt Retreat Centre. The theme will be Theology of the Body. Please see the advertisement on this page. The Intermediate Accreditation Course will be held at All Saints Parish, Liverpool, in Term 3. Please see page 8 for details. Be assured of my prayers for you, Teresa Tel: Fax: teresa.culjak@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au Marijana Nujic catechists. Your prayers, well wishes and wise advice have been amazing and beautiful. Thank you. The new FEO relieving me while I am on maternity leave will be starting in mid-october. At this stage, I can say that he is very much looking forward to meeting and working with you. He is an experienced teacher and is eager to share his knowledge, skills and gifts. I would like to wish him all the very best and an abundance of blessings in this role. May the Holy Spirit continue to shower his many gifts upon you all and enlighten you in all that you do, in particular, your very special call as a catechist. You are in my prayers, Marijana Tel: Fax: marijana.nujic@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au Mary Day Retreat We extend an invitation to all female catechists in the Archdiocese of Sydney to attend our quarterly retreat Mary Day at Mt Schoenstatt, Mulgoa. These days are specially designed to look at the different aspects on the Vocation of Woman taking Mary, the new Eve, as our role model. This term, we are blessed to have Sr Mary Madeline from the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia Nashville, Tennessee, to lead the retreat. Theme: Venue: Theology of the Body Mt Schoenstatt, 230 Fairlight Rd, Mulgoa. Date: Friday October 30, 2008 Time: 10am 2pm. Please be punctual. Morning Tea available at 9:45am. Please bring: A Bible, pen and paper and a plate to share for lunch. Mass and Confession will be available. RSVP: Ring by 26 October. 4

5 Archdiocesan Catechist Gathering Monday, 12 October am pm Room 1, Catholic CENTRE 3 Keating Street, Lidcombe, NSW Guest Speakers/Topics: am: Introduction and Welcome Robert Haddad, Director CCD am: Teaching Religious Education to Children with Special Needs Sybil Dickens, Consultant, Inner West CEO and Tosca Galluzzo, Religious Education Adviser, Inner West CEO am: Break for refreshments pm: Smart Boards in the Classroom: How can we use them? Carolyn Parsell, Primary Classroom Teacher, St Charles Borromeo, Ryde together with students from Years pm: Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements Places are limited. Catechist coordinators are asked to contact Mimi Rivera ( ) by October 5 with the number of catechists from their parishes who wish to attend the Catechist Gathering. 5

6 Public School Mass Success Story Have you thought of hosting a Public School Mass but unsure where to start? Oatley coordinator Michael Cummins and catechist Rayma Papworth reveal the secrets of their annual success to Marijana Nujic. What is the purpose of the public school Mass? Since 1983, the Public School Mass has been celebrated annually on the Feast Day of Our Lady Help of Christians at St Joseph s Parish, Oatley. Year 3 to Year 6 students from three local primary schools participate together with school teachers, catechists, family and parishioners. It is an opportunity to attend Mass as a school community and to pray for the people of Australia. Sometimes, the Mass provides the only opportunity for some students to attend Mass. How does one organise such a Mass? Do you have tips on how to involve public schools? The first step in organising the Mass is to determine the date. Approach the local public schools to obtain consensus, at the start of the year, on the most suitable date (on or close to a feast day) and confirm the date with the Parish Priest. Then, the following steps are taken: 1. A letter is sent to parents (via the children) seeking approval for their child to attend the Mass and also inviting them to attend, if available. 2. Buses are booked in advance to transport the children from/back to the schools. 3. Children are selected to participate in various parts of the Mass (eg, readings, Offertory Procession, Prayers of the Faithful, etc). 4. Arrangements are made for appropriate music to be used during Mass. 5. Arrangements are made for a catechist and school teacher from each school to accompany the children from/back to the schools. 6. The Mass is advertised in the parish bulletin and parents/grandparents/parishioners are invited to attend. 7. Arrangements are made to provide refreshments after the Mass. Also, if time permits, arrangements are made for the children to mingle with some of the Catholic primary school children in the neighbouring yard during their morning recess. How successful are the Oatley Public School Masses? They are quite successful, particularly as this is the first time many of the children attend Mass. Also, it enables the children to experience, appreciate and learn more about the Eucharistic celebration which is the pinnacle of the Catholic faith. For example, the parish priest vests at the altar and explains each item he wears, the children participate in the readings, etc, as outlined above, sing and celebrate as a community. Moreover the teachers (often non- Catholic) and parents/grandparents attending always provide positive remarks about how they enjoyed the Mass. Additionally, the children have always been exemplary in their reverence inside the church and in their overall participation. The children are keen to be selected for any specific tasks. It is pleasing that over 70% of eligible students obtain parental permission to attend the Mass. Usually, more than 100 children attend the Mass. 6

7 That s an outstanding result! How do teachers and parents from the public schools participate in all this? The school teachers and catechists sit with the children during Mass. Parents/grandparents sit towards the back of the church. A few catechists are on hand to guide children who have specific tasks to perform. Catechists look after all arrangements associated with the Mass with overall coordination being undertaken by Rayma Papworth. Rayma, a catechist for over 30 years, has successfully undertaken this role for many years. Have you found that students and their families regularly attend St Joseph s as a result of this initiative? It is difficult to say. However, we have noted that this Mass has been the catalyst for some children subsequently attending parish based sacramental programs at Oatley. This in turn encourages families back to practising their faith. How has this helped your catechists in their ministry? For catechists it has been rewarding to see the children participate in and enjoy the Mass. It is also a good opportunity to reinforce what is taught about the faith in the classroom. It is always particularly pleasing for the catechists to see the way the schools support the Mass. Once the letters to parents have been distributed, the schools actively follow up the students and encourage them to obtain parental approval to attend. The morning tea after the Mass also provides the catechists the opportunity to meet those parents who are able to attend the Mass. Thank you Mike and Rayma! Year for Priests Special: Catechist Profile Why did you choose to be a catechist? Fr Danai Penollar Years as a priest: 1 year 11 months Parish: Sydney Harbour North Period: 2 years 8 months Years as catechist: 3 years Schools taught in past and present: Edensor Park, Bonnyrigg Public, Mosman High, Mosman Public. To pass on the faith, to help the children prepare for the rocky road ahead. It is important to prepare them with a good spiritual/prayer life and let them know that God loves them. Do you think it is important that priests be involved in this work? I think it is very important. A priest s time is limited so they can t always have a role in the face to face teaching but it is helpful to be there for support and to help the students know and understand God loves them. What are some of the joys? The children engage in the faith through questions. They are ever challenging their faith; an example of this would be with the creation story and theory of evolution. Through inquiring and thinking about the faith you can see grace is at work. What are some of the difficulties? Sometimes the school does not appreciate what you do. Showing the desire to remove the work of catechists, changes in the program, wanting to initiate additional programs, schools placing obstacles are all difficulties. There is also a need to cater for the different maturity levels of the students particularly in the discipline of disruptive students. Different strategies are needed to decide what approach to take. What have been some of the fruits? There are many fruits with students reflecting on what they have learnt in their life, for example, one student is participating in the 40 hour famine. Another fruit is when you see them at Church or receiving the Sacraments. How long do you see yourself continuing in this work? As long as the ministry allows. 7

8 Curriculum Update By Robert Haddad Report No. 2 K-6 Teacher Manuals: Kindergarten is now with the printers for publication. Year 1 will follow suit in approximately three weeks. Year 2 should be finalised by late October. Years 3-6 will be held over and finalised over K-6 Activity Books: As per above, Kindergarten is now with the printers for publication. Year 1 will follow suit in approximately three weeks. Year 2 should be finalised by late October. Years 3-6 will be held over and finalised over New Covers K-6: All complete and ready for implementation as revised K-6 Teacher Manuals and Activity Books are finalised. High School Modules 7-12: The first two Modules on Pilgrimage and The Cross and Icon have been completed, together with all artwork. We remain on track to complete all 5 Modules by early October for mass production in November. Curriculum Development Officer: Elizabeth Reeves began work on July 1 as the CCD s newly appointed Curriculum Development Officer for Years She has begun work on new lessons for Year 9. Eight lessons in draft form have so far been produced. Concord City Western Sutherland Accreditation Courses 2009 BASIC Mondays 9:30am 1:30pm Oct 26 & Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Fridays 10am 2pm Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20 & Dec 4 INTERMEDIATE Fridays 10am 2 pm Sept 4, 11, 18, 24 & Oct 2 ADVANCED Mondays 10am 2pm Oct 26 & Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Holy Spirit Parish Cox s Road North Ryde Polding Centre 133 Liverpool St Sydney All Saints Parish George St Liverpool 50 Kiora Rd Miranda Catechist Ministry Certificate 2009 TERM FOUR Christology (MI11) Robert Haddad Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street Sydney Thursdays 10am 2pm October 15, 22 Sacraments of Initiation (MI07) Denise Humphreys 50 Kiora Road, Miranda Thursdays 11am 2pm November 5, 12, 19, 26 Call to Holiness (MC04) Robert Milan Need a refresher course on Child Protection? CCD will be happy to schedule inservice sessions through your parish coordinators. Note: Catechists can avail themselves of Catechist Ministry Courses (CMC) prior to completion of Accreditation Courses. However, CMC Certificates will be awarded only after Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Accreditation Courses have been completed. 8 Good Shepherd Parish, 21 Twentieth Ave, Hoxton Park Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10am 2pm October 21, 22, 23

9 CCD Calendar September 2009 RSVP Needed? 27 Sep (Sun) 2pm 4:30pm Annual Catechist Mass St Mary s Cathedral then St Mary s College Hall 29 Sep (Tues) Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition due date for artwork submission October 2009 Send or hand deliver to FEO or by this date 12 Oct (Mon) 10:30am 1:30pm Catechist Gathering Lidcombe Catholic Centre, Lidcombe 15 Oct (Thurs) 10am 2pm Christology (CMC MI11), Day 1 by Robert Haddad Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool St, Sydney 21 Oct (Wed) 10am 2pm The Call to Holiness (CMC MC04), Day 1 by Robert Milan 21 Twentieth Ave, Hoxton Park 22 Oct (Thurs) 10am 2pm Christology (CMC MI11), Day 2 by Robert Haddad Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool St, Sydney 22 Oct (Thurs) 10am 2pm The Call to Holiness (CMC MC04), Day 2 By Robert Milan 21 Twentieth Ave, Hoxton Park 23 Oct (Fri) 10am 2pm The Call to Holiness (CMC MC04), Day 3 by Robert Milan 21 Twentieth Ave, Hoxton Park 30 Oct (Fri) 9:45 Morning Tea then 10am 2pm Mary Day by Sr Mary Madeline Mt Schoenstatt, 230 Fairlight Road, Mulgoa November Nov (Thurs) 11am 2pm Understanding the Sacraments of Initiation (CMC MI07) Day 1 by Denise Humphreys 50 Kiora Rd, Miranda 12 Nov (Thurs) 11am 2pm Understanding the Sacraments of Initiation (CMC MI07) Day 2 by Denise Humphreys 50 Kiora Rd, Miranda 19 Nov (Thurs) 11am 2pm Understanding the Sacraments of Initiation (CMC MI07) Day 3 by Denise Humphreys 50 Kiora Rd, Miranda 26 Nov (Thurs) 11am 2pm Understanding the Sacraments of Initiation (CMC MI07) Day 4 by Denise Humphreys 50 Kiora Rd, Miranda 27 Nov (Fri) 10:30am 3pm Life Members Function Lidcombe Catholic Club December Dec (Thurs) 10am 2pm Fathers of the Church (CMC MI10) Day 1 Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool St, Sydney 10 Dec (Thurs) 10am 2pm Fathers of the Church (CMC MI10) Day 2 (Last) Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool St, Sydney 9

10 Annual Catechist Mass 2009 All catechists are invited to attend the Annual Catechist Mass on Sunday 27 September. The Mass to be officiated by Bishop David Cremin will start at 2pm in St Mary s Cathedral followed by afternoon tea in the College Hall. Certificate of Accreditation Awardees Bankstown Concord Sutherland Lila Aoun Therese Azzi Dunia Boustany Julita Cayanan Karina Chu Marinko Crnjac Dung Doan Nora Fernando Rosa House Fadwa Kostantine Teresa Lattouf Emilie Nader Edna Pinto Suzana Raad Lenin Strezovski City Sr Ritzlou Arlan CP Catherine Duggan Raymond Francis Smith Reena Bae Augustine Cho Geena Cho Regina Cho James Chung Peter Dewar Br Christopher Greck Mary Guerin Henry Ha Nari Ha James Jeong Andrew Kang Cristina Fabiola Kim Josephina Kim Stephano Kim John Alexander Kinnear Brian Lee Jennifer Jung-Eun Lee Michaela Lee Susan Lee John Park Andrew Shin Aida Wilson Janice Sun-ah Yeom Robert Yoon Sr Celine Auton CSJ Sharon Azzopardi Kathleen Branley Rose Colombo Patricia Eve Cutcliffe Ann Di Leo Maria Carmela Gonzaga Valerie A C Gonzaga Christian Grant Alma Theresa Kelly Christopher Kelly Diana Larkham Joan Lawes Veronica Leva Br Michael John Macdonald Pamela MacDonald Emelyn Mangura Faith McAllister Dawn Petersen Doris Pisani Charlotte Rennie Suzanne Russo Veronika-Marie Sieben Yvonne Succar Carmel Torrens Amal Yousif 10 Western Josephine Carbone Tina Dunn Jocelyn Empeigne Leanne Ferreri Franca Holden Domenica Messina Lucrezia Oliverio Rosa Quinn Felicia Riviera Mimi Romeo Jacqueline Seraglio David Sullivan Catechist Ministry Certificate Awardees Selma Coutinho Anthony Joseph Mary King Denise Playoust Edvina Prest Marilynne Sontag

11 Apostolic Blessing for 20 Year Awardees Constance Allman 20 Eastwood, Concord Teresita Andres Bankstown, Bankstown Maria Braga Bexley, Sutherland Ruth Bruce Belmore, Bankstown Connie Buttigieg Meadowbank, Concord Joan Caputo Five Dock, Concord Mary Coleman Five Dock, Concord Margaret Collins Padstow Bankstown Gwen Margaret Coopman Waverley, City Terry Delaney Botany, City Nerina Frisone Haberfield, Concord Monica Gosper Sans Souci, Sutherland Anne MacNally Clovelly, City Ally McCaughan Caringbah, Sutherland Angela Panetta Horsley Park, Western Madeleine Pizzuti Marsfield, Concord Christine Riley Sans Souci, Sutherland Mary Rudolph Enfield, Bankstown Bertha Silva Fairfield, Western Betty Simpson Liverpool, Western 11 Cardinal Gilroy Award for 40 Year Awardees 40 Shirley Hassett Clovelly, City Enid Messenger Waverley, City New Pope John Paul II Award for 50 Year Awardees 50 May Mitchell Beverly Hills, Bankstown Maureen Power Marrickville, City Fr Kevin Spillane PP Villawood, Western Margaret Spratt Engadine, Sutherland New Catholic Schools with Student Catechists Cardinal Freeman Medal for 25 Year Awardees Bethlehem College Rhonda Ashley 25 Sutherland, Sutherland St Charbel s College Catherine Brock Moorebank, Western De La Salle College Lance David Brooks Dulwich Hill, Concord Patrician Brothers College Pamela Callachor Brighton-Le-Sands, Sutherland Marie Jose Callaghan Sutherland, Sutherland Delle Clark Bass Hill, Bankstown The John Vianney Award for For 2009 Margaret Edwards Gymea, Sutherland Catechists who are Priests Helen Veronica Foster Liverpool, Western Patricia Hankin Liverpool, Western Fr Andrew Benton Cronulla, Sutherland Kathleen Elizabeth Hanrahan Bass Hill, Bankstown Fr Barry Brundell MSC Erskineville, City Gail Elizabeth Instance Riverwood, Bankstown Fr Michael Butler PP Lewisham, Concord Mary Lyburn Sutherland, Sutherland Fr Michael Court Engadine, Suth Caterina Mauro Smithfield, Western Fr Liem Duong Cabramatta, Western Mary Grace McGregor Moorebank, Western Fr Fabio Garcia Mascot, City Marie-Madeline Moldovan Eastwood, Concord Fr Patrick Hurley PP Carnes Hill, Western Julianne Naggar Liverpool, Western Fr Joseph Kolodziej Georges Hall, Banks Lina Petrin Liverpool, Western Fr Phuc Dinh Le Hoxton Park, West John Philpot Belmore, Bankstown Fr William Milsted PP Surry Hills, City Norma Emily Robinson Cabramatta, Western Fr Martin Monaghan ADM Enmore, City Valerie J E L Royle-Polkamp Smithfield, Western Fr Danai Penollar Mosman, Concord Joanne Russell Clovelly, City Fr Huy Phan Cathedral, City Rose Said Kogarah, Sutherland Fr Noel Short Austral, Western Anna Tomc Belmore, Bankstown Fr Stephen Sinn SJ PP Elizabeth Bay, City Patricia Tunnicliff RevesbyHeights, Bankstwn Fr Kevin Spillane PP Villawood, Western Rosa Wasowski Cabramatta, Western Panania, Bankstown

12 Christmas Presentation and Gift Ideas Fabric Velcro Advent Calendar 24 pockets for 24 velcro backed pieces to make a Nativity Scene. Presented on a 350 x 650mm fabric. $10 only. 3D Advent Calendar makes waiting fun. $7.50 each. New Arch Books Christmas titles still $4.95. Advent Calendar Book comes with 24 minibooks, each with a Bible story, prayer or song. The minibooks can decorate your Christmas tree. All for $ The Very First Christmas tells the story of Christopher who does not want to hear anymore fairytales for bedtime stories. His mother tells him the amazing and miraculous story of Jesus birth. Yours for $ A Christmas Pageant by Jim Cosgrove has vocal and instrumental versions of nine songs for Christmas. Good value at $25. The Christmas Star is a resource for Christmas dramas, speeches and recitations $ Available from Sydney Catholic Books & Resources Ph: Fax: books@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au Online bookshop: Eleanor Emmerson Nella Ruello 12