School Opening Mass

Our Opening School Mass was a wonderful occasion to officially start the school year and formally welcome our new students and staff members.

The Kindergarten children, along with Ruby and Iris, were especially excited to place their stars on the school star banner.

Our new student leaders were also presented with badges after their leadership pledge and we are incredibly proud of them and know they will represent our school very well.

We also officially welcomed Mrs Harveyson, Mrs Green and Mrs Metcalfe into the St Joseph’s School community.

Father Jiss presided over the Mass, and we thank him for making himself available to come and celebrate the Mass with us. We also thank John King for being the acolyte.

Thanks also to all the parents, grandparents, other family members, friends, and parishioners, who were able to come along and share this special occasion with us. It was an uplifting and joyous start to the year.

Shrove Tuesday

On the 21^st of February it is Shrove Tuesday, and we will be making (and eating) pancakes.

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word 'Shriven' meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you've done. Lent always starts on a Wednesday, so Christians went to confession the day before. This became known as Shriven Tuesday, then Shrove Tuesday.

The other name for this day, Pancake Day, comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients in the house before Lent, so people were ready to fast during Lent. The fattening ingredients most people had in their houses in times gone by were eggs and milk. A recipe to use these ingredients was to mix them with flour and make pancakes!

Thank you very much to the parent helpers who have generously offered their time to assist with cooking on the day. We are still looking for more volunteers, so if you are able to help, please let us know. We are also looking for anyone who can provide toppings for the pancakes, such as berries and maple syrup, as well as any electric frypans and/or pancake flipper utensils. Please let us know if you can provide anything. We very much appreciate it!

Ash Wednesday

Next week we will hold a school-based prayer service to recognise the importance of Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a special season in the Church year. The forty days of Lent are a time for us to reflect on our relationship with God and others in preparation for Easter. See below for some ideas for things you can do during Lent.

Prayer for the Sick

Last Saturday February 11 was World Day of the Sick. Please keep anyone who is suffering any kind of illness in your prayers.

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. 

Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest your weary ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
And for all your love’s sake. Amen. 

Saint Augustine 

https://ourcatholicfaith.org/prayer/p-sick.html

 

Parish News

Sunday 8 am Mass

St Joseph’s Church, Grenfell

Please note that a Mass will be held on the second and fourth Sundays each month. There is a Celebration of the Word with Holy Communion, not a Mass, on the first and third Sundays of each month. Everyone is welcome to attend!

 

The Parish would love to welcome more children to be involved in Mass on weekends. There are many opportunities for involvement, including doing the readings. If your child can participate in any way, please let me know.

 

Yours in Faith,

Danielle McFarlane

Religious Education Coordinator