Religious Life of St Joseph’s

Over the past few weeks our staff have had a number of opportunities to spend time growing together in faith. We started our year with an overnight Spirituality retreat, where we went off-site to spend a day in prayer and reflection on our 2020 focus: Be God’s Love. This time for staff is essential as it provides the time and space for prayer to reconnect with God away from the busyness of our everyday lives. As a part of our retreat all staff contributed to creating our 2020 focus artwork, which is on display as you enter the front office. These handprints are an ongoing reminder of our commitment to Be God’s Love in our Christ-Centred Community.

Our Opening School Mass is being held tomorrow, 13 February at 9.15am. All are welcome to join us as Father Paul leads our Christ-Centred Community in prayer for our new year. Our Year 5 and 6 students will also be blessed and receive their leadership badges.

Religious Identity and Culture

Ethos and Charism

Our strategic priority to deepen our St Joseph’s identity means to deepen our understanding of our Josephite Charism.  We can learn much about our Josephite Charism through quotes from Saint Mary Mackillop.

Prayer and Worship    

Student Led Christian Prayer

Each Friday after the first break, Year 6 lead classes in prayer.

Liturgical Season: Fourth week of Ordinary Time, Year A

Liturgical Season Colour: Green

This week the focus is on Matthew 5:17-37

Jesus spoke to his followers: “Remember to keep God’s rules and always do what is right. My father’s rules do not just tell us what we should not do, they also tell us what we should do if we truly want to live in God’s way.

1. Nothing is greater than God, so always put God first.
2. Do not use God’s name carelessly
3. Make Sunday God’s special day, to share some time with him.
4. Love and care for your mother and father
5. Life is precious, so do not harm anyone by your thoughts or actions.
6. Always love your friends. When two people marry and promise to always be friends, they should not break that promise and spoil their friendship.
7. Always be honest, and do not steal or cheat.
8. Tell the truth to others and about others; do not lie.
9. Married people give each other the gift of their love. Never be greedy or jealous of others so that you spoil that gift.
10. Be happy with what you have and do not be jealous of other people’s belongings.”

At home, we invite you to sing our focus song for 2020, “Be God’s” by Danielle Rose and discuss how we can Be God’s Love. You can view a version with the lyrics at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvddWibgS2E

Celebrating Liturgy and Sacraments

Yours in Christ,

Melanie Stratford

Religious Education Coordinator

melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au