Liturgical Season: Ordinary Time

Liturgical Season Colour: Green

This coming Sunday we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

In the Gospel (Matthew 16:13-19), Peter professes his belief that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus sees Peter’s ability to recognise Jesus as given by God. Saint Peter played a vital role in the early Christian community and helped to build the Church. This was a role given to him by God. We continue to honor Peter and those who have followed him as leaders in the Church. Today we recognise and honour the Pope as Peter's successor. Like Peter, the Pope reminds us that we are a people united in the faith that Jesus is God's Son.

Sacrament of First Holy Communion

Last Sunday was a wonderful celebration as our Catholic community came together to celebrate the First Holy Communion of children in our community. Thank you to all the families for allowing us the privilege of walking this journey with your child. Special occasions require much preparation and planning. A big thank you to Ms Doszpot, Mr Stephens, Mrs Carroll and Mrs Coghlan who have supported these children in class and during our Saturday evening preparation sessions.  Thank you also to the many staff who supported these families through your presence on Sunday. 

Congratulations to these children and their families:

Sacrament of Confirmation

Students in Year 6 can now be enrolled in the Sacrament of Confirmation at the link below. Please add the Sacrament of Confirmation and preparation session dates and times to your calendars. A reminder that the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place with Archbishop Christopher Prowse on the last Sunday of the holidays before Term 4 commences.

Please enrol at http://bit.ly/sacraments2019

Please contact Father Paul  if you have any questions about the Sacrament of Confirmation at: paul_nulley@hotmail.com

Social Action & Justice

Last week we heard about how our partnership with Riamabana changes the lives of

the children who attend the Riamabana Academy. Next term we will hold a Market day on the Feast Day of St Mary Mackillop on Thursday 8th August. Saint Mary Mackillop is well known for her philosophy of ‘Never see a need without doing something about it.’ At St Joseph’s we see the needs of the children who attend the Riamabana Academy and we plan to do something about it. 

This week, interested children will be bringing home some information about putting forward a fundraising proposal. Children can work on their own, in friendship or family groups to contribute to our Market Day.

This year we have been asked to support the building of an additional toilet block as the academy has outgrown the existing facilities. This building works which will significantly improve the conditions for the children at the academy will cost $2 500. 

Student Prayer Focus

Our Student Prayer Focus over the coming month reconnects us with our focus scripture for 2019: Matthew 28:16-20. In our focus scripture the disciples are commissioned and Jesus tells them that he is with them always. 

Just as the disciples were commissioned, we too are invited to  “go and make disciples of all nations” and in doing so are Glorifying Christ with our lives.

How will you Glorify Christ with your life this week?

In classrooms this week you will see that green leaves are once again being added to the trees in each class prayer space. The green leaf symbolises Ordinary Time. On each leaf of a word or phrase is written which symbolise how each class member will work to glorify Christ with their lives during the week. 

Melanie Stratford

Religious Education Coordinator

melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au