Bishop Bill Wright to present his annual Christmas message with the help of students
The true spirit of Christmas will be on display this Wednesday as students of St Benedict’s Primary School, Edgeworth present two nativity plays for Bishop Bill Wright, parents and parishioners at 9.30am before Bishop Bill delivers his 2013 Christmas message to the community for the first time.
The Sugarloaf Parish and St Benedict’s will come together to present a number of performances for Bishop Bill and the assembled community. The Vietnamese Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who work in the parish and at the school, will be singing ‘What Child Is This?’ in Vietnamese. Year Five students will present two nativity plays, including one told from the animals’ perspective, and each class will sing traditional carols. The school choir will also perform.
Principal of St Benedict’s Primary School, Mark Hornby-Howell, said students have been practising for weeks.
“Our school community is very honoured that Bishop Bill has chosen to visit St Benedict’s to deliver his annual Christmas message. The students have been enjoying practising for their performances and are very excited to present the story of Christ’s birth in words and song,” Mr Hornby-Howell said.
Mr Hornby-Howell is also looking forward to watching the children herald Christ’s birth, as only children can do.
“Children have an intimate connection to the story of Jesus’ birth. Whilst they naturally get caught up in the idea of presents and Santa, holidays and time with family and friends, they also understand the importance of the season from a Christian perspective. Jesus’ birth is a time of joy and I am sure the students at St Benedict’s will display that joy on Wednesday,” he said.
Bishop Bill shares his feelings about the wonder of the Christmas season in this year’s Christmas message, which will be made available to media in full on the day.
“At some point in Midnight Mass, it strikes me that God came among us, not in power and majesty, but as a small child, as a member of a little family, as a man of normal human thoughts and feelings. In the quiet of Christmas Eve, I touch into that sense of God-with-us,” Bishop Bill says in his message.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY
What: Bishop Bill Wright’s Christmas Message 2013 & St Benedict’s Christmas performance
Where: St Benedict’s Primary School, Main Road, Edgeworth
When: 9.30am
The Vietnamese Sisters will commence the performance with their song, followed by students singing “Silent Night”, a nativity play from the animals’ perspective, a children’s dance group performance to “Mary’s Boy Child”, a traditional nativity play (to include all classes singing hymns) and the school choir to conclude. Bishop Bill Wright will speak to the children about Christmas and be available afterwards to speak to media.
Please note: This will be the only opportunity to interview Bishop Bill about his Christmas message. Media are welcome to film and photograph the performances. Copies of Bishop Bill’s Christmas Message will be available on the day.
For more information please contact Communications Officer, Joanne Isaac on 0409 041 079.
