Religious Life of St Joseph’s

Last Friday we celebrated the Feast of St Joseph who is our Patron Saint. We spent the day ‘walking together’. In the morning we gathered as a community for Mass, open classrooms and morning tea. We spent the remainder of the day walking together with our buddies, engaging in a walk around the Lyneham Wetlands, a St Joseph Treasure Hunt and painting a rock to contribute to the creation of a Labyrinth in our prayer garden. Thank you to all those who helped to make this day happen.

Prayer and Worship

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Next Wednesday Year 3 students will finish their preparations for the Sacrament of Reconciliation through a retreat. During the retreat the students will:

• explore the Parable of the Prodigal Son through art and drama,
• learn about the Act of Contrition,
• learn about the Rosary, and
• make their own Rosary bracelet.

At the end of the retreat the student will have the opportunity to make their first confession in the church. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.

Social Justice and Action

Project Compassion

Our Year 6 Well-being team have been promoting Tapitas- a way of raising money for Project Compassion. Tapitas runs until the last day of Term 1. Members in our community can purchase a water droplet from the Well-being Team, which is then added to our Tapitas display wall. Large droplets are $5 and small droplets are a Gold Coin donation. Each school house has their own tap in our display and the house that raises the most money will win a prize.

A Lent for Our Common Home

Another way of participating in Lent is through taking sustainable action. Each week during Lent we will be sharing some ideas on how you might take sustainable action at home with your family.

Week 4 – Energy and Water

This week let us be mindful of our use. We remember those who work to clean up our polluted rivers and oceans and help restore life to them.You could:

• Turn appliances off at the wall so the standby power isn’t on
• Water fast- turn off water while brushing, have a shorter shower, collect rainwater to water garden beds
• Check the light bulbs in your house- are they the most efficient possible?

We pray for those who don’t enjoy the quality of air and water that we do. 

Week 5- Nature

God created this beautiful world for us to enjoy. How can we live in a way that respects the gift of creation that God has given to us? We could:

• Take time each day to enjoy nature- eat a meal outside, take a walk
• Make your garden a haven for birds, bees and butterflies
• Teach younger sibling about the importance of protecting our environment

We pray that you will help us to each play our part in caring for your planet and everyone on it.

Evalgelisation and Faith Formation

Tomorrow our Year 6 students will participate in a Journey with Jesus retreat led by our Canberra Goulburn Youth ministry team. This retreat is the first time we are hosting the Youth Ministry Team and a wonderful opportunity for faith formation for our students.

Melanie Stratford

Religious Education Coordinator

melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au