Forbes Eisteddfod - Choir

I am pleased to announce that the St Joseph's School Choir received first place at the Forbes Eisteddfod on Monday!

The choir excelled in the small schools division and are to be very proud of themselves. Thanks to the parents for supporting the children, and also to Riccardo Barone from the Young Regional Conservatorium, and Mrs King, for working with the students to achieve this wonderful result.

Western Region Athletics

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of accompanying the students that represented our school at the Western Region Athletics Carnival in Tumut. Each student demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and are to be commended for their efforts. See the ‘Sports News’ section for the full report from Mrs Harveyson.

Semester One Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

Semester One Reports will be released via Compass tomorrow.

Parent Teacher Interviews will take place next Monday 26th June. Please book your time via the Compass parent portal that is now open. Teachers will be speaking to your child’s report. If you cannot make any of the times offered, please contact your child’s class teacher and arrange an alternative time.

danielle.mcfarlane@cg.catholic.edu.au

lachlan.martens@cg.catholic.edu.au

chelsea.anderson1@cg.catholic.edu.au

Interview timeslots are 15 minutes per child and will be conducted in classrooms.

Staffing Update

Mrs Leslie King will be taking a well deserved break in term 3. Ms Cindy Washbrook will be covering Mrs King's teaching load for the term. Many of you may be familiar with Ms Washbrook, who worked at St Joseph's in the past. 

We wish Mrs King an enjoyable break and welcome Ms Washbrook back to the St Joseph's community.

Term Dates

The last day of Term 2 is next Friday 30th June. A reminder that parents and friends are invited for our encore performance of ‘Alice the Musical’ on this day at 12pm. There will be no Assembly, instead we will present the weekly awards to students immediately after the performance.

Term 3 will commence with the Staff Development Day (Spirituality Day) scheduled for Monday 17th July. Students will return for Term 3 on Tuesday 18th July.

Refugee Week

This week is Refugee Week (19-25 June), a celebration of the many positive contributions refugees make to the Australian community.

Prayer for Refugee Week
Abi Benham-Bannon

God of peace,

Bring light to the dark corners of hearts,

To the violent shadows of our world,

Whose power crushes down, inflicting suffering,

Pushing so many out of their lives and out of their homes.

God of welcome,

Bring warmth to the hearts of the homes to which they flee,
May they find safety and comfort,
In open arms.

God of liberation,
Bring freedom for all people locked up by cruel policies,
From the bars which bear down on their souls,
Freedom to walk the land, to live a life.
Freedom of spirit.

God of justice,
Open our eyes and give us the courage to call for change,
For a country that rejects cruelty and violence,
That puts down its fear,
And chooses welcome.

Source: https://uniting.church/prayerforrefugeeweek/

Sunday Gospel Reflection (June 25)

Gospel             Mt 10:26-33

In these challenging but reassuring verses, Jesus gives us the bottom line. There is only one fear that counts, the reverent fear of almighty God. With Jesus’ words of caution, also come His words of great tenderness, ‘the hairs on your head are numbered.’ They are numbered by one who has an infinitely particular love for you.

If God sees a sparrow falling from the sky, how much more will your precious life be under His loving gaze? We are then called to commit ourselves to the truth of our relationship with Jesus by acknowledging His name before those who may not want to hear it. On that all-important day, when we stand before the Father, Jesus will own us as we have owned him.

Dear Father in Heaven,

We ask for the grace to be courageous leaders by acknowledging your name before others.

May we experience the consolation of God’s particular love for each one of us.

We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Source: Formed in Prayer

Student Prayer of the Week

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.

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.

Chelsea Harveyson (Anderson)

​Classroom Teacher and Sports Coordinator

To register:
Grenfell Holiday Clinic – 4^th July