First Communion

On Saturday evening 30 students from St Joseph’s and the parish received the Holy Eucharist for the first time. Through celebrating and receiving the Eucharist they have now entered into the communion of Christ. They have become one with Jesus. Father Thonn spoke about the need for us all to be nourished by Christ each week through the Eucharist so we all can be the face, the hands, the feet and the heart of Jesus in the World.

I encourage us all to stop and look at how we can all carry out Jesus’ work on earth through our community at St Joseph’s.

Christian Meditation

‘We do not even know how to pray but the Spirit himself prays within us.’

Romans 8:26

When was the last time you stopped and spent time with Christ?

When was the last time you stopped and sat down quietly to take a few minutes of time for yourself?

If you are like me, it is easy to become caught up in the cycle of work, taxiing children around to various places, cleaning, shopping (for essentials – no time for anything else!) and trying to complete things on the never-ending list of chores to be done around the house. Our lives have become so busy that we, society, have forgotten how to stop and be in the ‘real’ presence of others let alone taking time to listen and be with God.

Earlier this term, as a staff, we looked deeper into how not only our lives, but the lives of our students are becoming caught up in being constantly on the go. This could be the continual desire by some students to be on devices playing games, watching, or connecting to their peers at all hours. As the mother of four children, I know the difficulty in limiting time on devices and setting boundaries. Sometimes it is easy, and other times, well let’s face it, it is simply easier to give in and let them go on their device.

Christian Meditation is one way we can provide students time and the opportunity to stop and connect with God. Christian meditation is where you stop, close their eyes, and sit in silence to spend time with the Christ from within. We are encouraged to let go of our thoughts and help our mind enter a deep silence to connect with the Holy Spirit.

As a school, each class is beginning to teach and participate in the practice of Christian meditation. I encourage you to ask your child to explain Christian meditation to you and perhaps even have a go as a family.

https://youtu.be/RvFneqPA8U8?t=6

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