Mini Vinnies – St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

At our recent meeting, a timely and worthy cause the students decided to focus on is the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. This year, the Appeal is focusing on the issue of older women experiencing homelessness. Experts predict we are likely to see an increasing number of older women at risk of homelessness in the coming years given the ongoing shortage of social and affordable housing, rising rents, and an ageing population. There are also many men and women in all age groups who are in need, especially during winter time.

The students brainstormed items that they felt would be useful to donated to St Vincent de Paul to support all people in need through the Winter Appeal. The items identified include:

• Gloves
• Scarves
• Jumpers
• Warm Jackets
• Rain jackets
• Blankets
• Sleeping Bags
• Pillows
• Socks
• Beanies
• Ugg boots
• Singlets

Some other ideas include:

• Supermarket Vouchers
• Non-Perishable Snack Food

If you would like to donate towards this very important cause, we encourage you to rummage through your surplus items at home, or even buy marked down items in shops. All donations are to be provided to School on Friday the 28th of July (Mufti Day). The students will also enjoy hot chocolates on this day to show appreciation for everyone's donations to the Winter Appeal. Donations will be collected and passed on to St Vincent de Paul at a later date. We would really love your support!

Sunday Gospel Reflection (June 18)

Gospel             Mt 9:36 – 10:8

In the Sunday Gospel we hear of Jesus commissioning the apostles, gifting them with authority and power and instructing them on where to go and what to do. All great leaders call forth, encourage, mentor and support emerging and new leaders. We are often reminded that we are all called to leadership… Our church is apostolic, our creed is apostolic, and like the apostles, we are called to follow and to show others how to follow each and every day.

Dear Jesus,

May we trust in your promise and approach the Mass with full confidence

that you will fill us with your very life each time we receive the Eucharist.

May our disposition be one of receptivity,

that we might fully receive the graces contained within the mystery of the Eucharist.

Amen.

Source: Formed in Prayer

Sacramental Program

St Joseph’s Parish will be offering the Sacrament of Confirmation to eligible candidates. 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 meetings for the Confirmation candidates will take place during Terms 3 and 4. The dates are as follows:

• Wednesday 6^th September – Preparation Meeting at 6pm
• Wednesday 20^th September – Preparation Meeting at 6pm
• Wednesday 18^th October – Preparation Meeting at 6pm
• Sunday 22^nd October – Confirmation Mass at 8am

The preparation meetings will be held on each of the above dates in the St Joseph’s School Library. A Catholic parent (or caregiver) of each candidate must attend each of the meetings.

If you are interested in enrolling your child/ren please contact me (if you have not already done so) 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.

First Holy Communion

Congratulations to Kate Johnston and Maisie Baker on making their First Holy Communion on Sunday. Fr Jiss celebrated the Mass which was a very special occasion for the children.

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.