Year 5/6 Class Mass

Fr Jiss and Year 5/6 hosted a beautiful Mass yesterday in honour of teachers and, in particular, Mrs Hotham (being her last term with us). We welcomed parents, grandparents, and parishioners to the Mass, which was a true testament of the positive impact Mrs Hotham and all teachers have had and continue to have on our school. Each Year 5/6 student carried out their respective roles admirably and all students participated reverently throughout the service. Year 5/6 included the following Prayer of Intercession:

For the teachers in our community, may they be filled with patience, kindness, and understanding as they educate and inspire the next generation. Grant them the energy and creativity to make learning fun and engaging. Thank you for their hard work and dedication.

A very big “thanks” to Year 5/6 and Fr Jiss for making this such a memorable Mass service.

Sunday Gospel Reflection (June 4)

Gospel             Jn 3:16-18

Talk of God’s love can often lack the edge of Jesus’ radical teachings. Jesus came to know God’s love as the unconditional, passionate love of a father for a son. It was a love he came to know deeply at his baptism. It grew to become a love that led to death on a cross. It was known fully in the powerful love of Resurrection and the sending of his Spirit.

We can build a certain deafness to talk of God’s love, even as we nod. Talk of God’s love can too often simply wash over us when it should be shaking the very foundations of our lifestyle... challenging our very way of being and doing in the world.

I once read that you can never know the Gospel as Good News until you’ve been lost or in need of being saved. Have you felt lost, alone, unsure, struggling? In other words, have you ever needed saving? And if not, what is Good about the Good News for you? If we struggle to answer, how can we witness to others a love that is touching us deeply, reorientating us, reconnecting us, indeed “saving” us and so bringing us profound joy.

Heavenly Father

Love me in my weakness and strength

Love me in my disability and giftedness

Love me in my darkness and light.

Love me in my imperfection

Help me to love others in their weakness and strength

in their disability and giftedness

in their darkness and light.

And so grow in the perfection of your heavenly love

We ask this in the name of your only Son. Amen.

Source: Formed in Prayer

Sacramental Program

This year, St Joseph’s Parish will be offering the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation to eligible candidates. To be eligible to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy communion, candidates must be in Year 4 or above. To be eligible to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, candidates must be in Year 5 or above and must have already received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

The preparation for the Confirmation candidates will take place in Terms 3 and 4. Specific information regarding meeting/ mass dates will be provided towards the end of Term 2.

If you are interested in enrolling your child/ren please contact me at the school on 6343 1514 or via email: danielle.mcfarlane@cg.catholic.edu.au

Furthermore, if you know of anyone else interested in further information, who may not have access to this newsletter or the Parish bulletin, please encourage them to contact me also.

Yours in Faith,

Danielle McFarlane

Religious Education Coordinator

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.

If you wish to visit St Joseph’s Church, it is open daily from 10.00am – 4.00pm and following Mass on Sundays.