School Christmas Food Drive - Grenfell Food Hall

We have had an outstanding response to our Christmas Food Drive, all in aid of our local Grenfell Food Hall. Next week, members of our school Mini Vinnies group will have the opportunity to attend the Grenfell Food Hall to donate all the food items that were collected this term. We know the Grenfell Food Hall will be appreciative of the thoughtfulness and generosity of our entire St Joseph’s School community. We thank everyone who supported our Christmas Food Drive. In doing so, you have helped to support people in our local community, as well as provided the children the positive experience of building a more compassionate society, where people support one another and work towards shared goals.

So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank YOU!

Year Six Graduation Mass

Next week we will formally farewell our Year Six students at their Graduation Mass. This is the last Mass Year Six will share together as primary students. We thank God for all they have contributed to our school. Over the years they have been at St Joseph’s, these students have faced challenges and have learned and worked together to overcome them. Next week we celebrate their achievements and, together with them, present our hopes, plans for the future and joys to the Lord. We pray that they may continue to challenge one another and journey in faith, hope and love, and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. The School Captains and House Captains for 2024 will also be announced. We welcome all families to come along and attend this very special Mass with us.

Advent

Advent is a special time of preparation. It is a time to say ‘yes’ to God, as Mary and Joseph did. It is a time to think about others and a time to do things for others. It is a time to prepare our hearts for the joy of Jesus’ birth at Christmas.

Advent Prayer

God our Father,

 Help us during this time of Advent to be your friends. Keep us always ready to follow your way of love. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Amen.

Sunday Gospel Reflection (December 9)

Gospel             Mark 1:1-8

“Prepare a way for the Lord.” In every sense, the cry of John the Baptist is the call of each baptised Christian. It is the mandate not only of Catholic leaders to share the message of Jesus, but of every single member of the Body of Christ.

We can take John the Baptist as the ultimate model of evangelism. There is no doubt he was well-known, and charismatic. But the defining values he espoused were humility and faithfulness. His mantra could be summarised into: “Don’t look at me, look at the One who is coming.” We can extract an evangelising blueprint from John’s approach as we seek to “prepare a way for the Lord.” Humility is key - less of “me”, more of Jesus shining through our actions and words. And there is also very little ambiguity in John’s message - he doesn’t mince his words.

We, too, must be clear as we proclaim the Gospel to others. Also, faithfulness, not “success”, should be our aim. John showed the ultimate faithfulness by eventually dying for the cause. We may not be called to martyrdom, but we are nonetheless called to remain ever-faithful to the truth of the Gospel, even when it’s difficult. How are we preparing a Way for the Lord, both in our own hearts and in the lives of those we lead this Advent?

Father God,

We pray for the grace and strength to be true witnesses to Your love this Advent.

May we “prepare a way” for You through the way we live our lives and the words we speak.

Amen.

Source: Formed in Prayer, CSYMI

Student Prayer of the Week

Wishing everybody a wonderful week.

Yours in Faith,

Danielle McFarlane

Religious Education Coordinator

Parish News

Sunday 8 am

St Joseph’s Church, Grenfell

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

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

Christmas Timetable Mass Times

Weekend Masses:

Sat. 23rd Dec              - Young Vigil                           - 6.00pm

                                  - Boorowa Vigil                       - 6.00pm

- Grenfell Vigil           - 6.00pm

Sun. 24th Dec             - Young Mass                          - 10.00am 

Christmas Eve:         - Young Vigil (outdoors)          - 6.00pm

Sun. 24th Dec             - Boorowa Vigil                       - 6.00pm

Christmas Day:         - Grenfell Mass                      - 8.00am

Mon. 25th Dec            - Binalong Mass                      - 9.00am

- Young Mass                          - 10.00am