RE News
Religious Life of St Joseph’s
As we journey through Lent we are called to have a change of heart and spend more time in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. When we think of almsgiving we often think of giving physically with donations of money or food to those less fortunate than us. As a St Joseph’s community, we are currently raising money for Project
Project Compassion
Around 2.8 million children in the Philippines do not go to school. We begin Project Compassion learning about the story of Shirley. Shirley was struggling to
support her family and keep her children in school. She faced regular discrimination and disadvantage, limiting her family’s access to food, education, employment and healthcare.
With Caritas Australia’s support, Shirley trained to become an indigenous health worker. She has learnt to supplement her income and is able to feed her family. The program has also empowered Shirley to send her children to school.
Did you know that if each child in our school were to donate just $1 we could help
families in Malawi access food and earn an income?https://40acts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/40-Family-Wallchart-2020-v2.pdf
Ethos and Charism
Our strategic priority to deepen our St Joseph’s identity means to deepen our understanding of our Josephite Charism. As a staff, we have been collaborating to understand what following the example of Saint Mary Mackillop looks like at St Joseph’s O’Connor. Together we have developed 4 core values of what it means to ‘Be a Joey.”
Prayer and Worship
Student Led Christian Prayer
Each Friday after the first break Year 6 lead classes in prayer.
Liturgical Season: Second Sunday of Lent, Year A
Liturgical Season Colour: Purple
This week the focus is on the Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
One day Jesus asked Peter, James and John to come and pray
with him. He led them to the top of a steep mountain, where it
was peaceful and quiet, and they could be alone.
Jesus began to pray to his heavenly father when suddenly he
appeared to change! His face and clothes shone with a brilliant
light, as dazzling as the rays of the sun. Then the disciples saw
Moses and Elijah on either side of Jesus, talking to him.
Peter jumped up with excitement and said, “Lord, this is
wonderful! I could make three shelters, one for each of you!” At
that moment a cloud streaming with light appeared above them,
and a voice said, “This is my son, whom I love very much. Listen
to what he says.” The disciples were so terrified that they threw
themselves to the ground and hid their faces.
Then Jesus said gently, “Get up my friends, do not be afraid.”
When they looked up, Jesus was standing alone. As they came
down the mountain together, Jesus told them firmly, “You must
not tell anyone about what you have seen today, until the son of
God has risen from the dead.”
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
Term 1 Prayer Celebrations and Class Masses
Week 5
Friday 9.15am Class Mass: Year 3, 1 Purple and 5 Blue
Week 6
Friday 9.15am Class Mass: Year 3, Foundation Red and 4 Green
Week 7
Thursday 9.15am St Joseph’s Feast Day: Whole School
Friday 9.15am Class Mass: Year 3, Foundation White and 4 Gold
Week 8
Friday 9.15am Class Mass: Year 3 and ELC Frogs
Week 9
Friday 9.15am Class Mass: Year 3 and ELC Geckos
Week 10
Monday 9.15am Palm Sunday led by 1 Purple
Wednesday 9.15am Holy Thursday led by 3 Black
Thursday 9.15am Good Friday led by 5 Orange
Sacrament Dates 2020
As we are a growing community we are asking families to help us be as prepared as possible by enrolling now. Please use the following link to enrol in Sacraments for 2020.
Reconciliation
Wednesday 11 March: 5.30-6.30pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Formation Session 1
Wednesday 18 March: 5.30-6.30pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Formation Session 2
Wednesday 1 April: Reconciliation Retreat Day
Wednesday 1 April: 6.00pm-7.00pm: Sacrament of Reconciliation
First Holy Communion
Wednesday 13 May: 5.30-6.30pm Sacrament of First Holy Communion Formation Session 1
Wednesday 27 May: 5.30-6.30pm Sacrament of First Holy Communion Formation Session 2
Friday 12 June: First Holy Communion Retreat Day
Sunday 14 June 9.00am: Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Confirmation
Wednesday 14 October: 5.30-6.30pm Sacrament of Confirmation Formation Session 1
Wednesday 21 October: 5.30-6.30pm Sacrament of Confirmation Formation Session 2
Friday 30 October: Confirmation Retreat Day
Sunday 1 November 9.00am: Sacrament of Confirmation
Yours in Christ,
Melanie Stratford
Religious Education Coordinator
melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au