Our St Joseph Charism

 Our week 10 focus is: 

 

Sacraments

The preparation and delivery of the Sacraments at St Joseph’s is Parish-based and supported by the school. The enrolment for all the Sacraments occurs at the beginning of each school year via a Google form. All Sacraments in the Archdiocese of Canberra were initially cancelled for 2020 due to COVID 19, however the later easing of restrictions has enabled us to offer a modified form of the Sacraments. Navigating the challenges and changes associated with COVID 19 requires a complex level of planning and organisation to ensure that our plans comply with the frequently changing regulations. The current Covid restrictions limit the number of people to 35 in the Parish centre. This means that all Sacramental formation for both children and parents needs to be a home-based program. The current Covid restrictions limit the number of people in the church to 100. This means that Sacramental Masses are arranged to prioritise immediate family members, with more than one Mass offered to accommodate the needs of families and this requirement. In lieu of a celebratory cake after the Mass we are able to share a socially distanced cupcake to commemorate this occasion as a community.

Confirmation

Father Paul and I have worked hard together to plan for the Sacrament of Confirmation for 2020 and to anticipate how to best serve our community during this unprecedented time. We greatly appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we try to meet the needs of your children and family in the preparation for this important milestone in your child’s faith formation during this challenging time.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be a home-based program. We have ordered the formation materials and our plan is that they will arrive this week so that we can send them home with the students before the school holidays. While Year 6 will be undertaking some formation regarding this Sacrament in class, our Religious Education curriculum does not directly cover the Sacrament of Confirmation and is inclusive of students not making the Sacrament. Our retreat day is also inclusive of all students in Year 6.

At this stage, to accommodate families, there will be two separate Sacrament of Confirmation Masses. The Masses will occur at either 2.00pm or 3.00pm on Sunday 1 November. A Google form for families to nominate a Mass preference will be shared shortly, with a priority placed on first in, first preference allocated. This form will also ask for families to assist our preparations by making cupcakes to share after each Mass.

Year 6 Leadership Day

Year 6 are excited to organise an End of Term 3 Fun Day. They have been working hard to prepare a range of fun activities in their Leadership Teams.