Welcome

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Louise Grant, who will be the Acting Principal at St Joseph’s for terms 3 and 4. Louise comes with a vast amount of experience, both within our diocese and overseas. 

On Monday, Louise visited our school to meet the students and staff and to complete a comprehensive handover with myself. Louise is very familiar with the school’s Strategic Plan and Annual Improvement Plan, and I feel confident that the leadership of the school will be in very capable hands, with a focus on excellence in learning continuing for our students.

Later in the newsletter is a note from Ms Grant to the school community.

Newsletter

For next term, the newsletter will be published on a Tuesday, commencing in week 2.

Term Dates

The last day of Term 2 is tomorrow, Friday 30th June. A reminder that parents and friends are invited for our encore performance of the songs only, from ‘Alice the Musical’, tomorrow at 12:30pm in the Library. 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.

Thank you

On a final note, my heartfelt thanks go to the students, staff and parents of St Joseph’s for welcoming me into the community at the start of 2022. Together, I believe we have achieved many great things for our school and I have made many memories that I will cherish. I deeply appreciate the support and appreciation that the St Joseph’s community have shown me over this time. 

My time at St Joseph’s has now come to an end but I would like to wish you all the very best for the future.

Catherine McAuley Medal

Sister Mary Corcoran spoke to all students on Wednesday to provide them with information about the history of St Joseph's School and the Sisters of Mercy.

 

Sister Mary's presentations are very timely in the sense that we will be instating a new school award which will be presented at the last school assembly of each month. This award would be called the 'Catherine McAuley Medal'. Catherine McAuley medals will be awarded to students who demonstrate the following on a regular basis:

Aspire

• to do our very best in class on a regular basis
• to make a real effort to care for our school and grounds

 Believe

• in our school community by supporting school activities
• in the Christian value of friendship and dignity for all people

Connect

• with others by treating them with respect and courtesy
• with team members by being a 'good sport' when things don't go our way 

This will be a great opportunity/ means to inspire students to live out the values of our school and of Catherine McAuley each and every day.

 

 

Sunday Gospel Reflection (July 2)

Gospel             Mt 10:37-42

There are some tough truths outlined in the Sunday Gospel reading. What does it look like to place Jesus above even our most intimate relationships? There is really nothing new in these words, however. They are consistent with the call Jesus makes of us from all time: “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you.” (Mt 6:33)

Knowing this and actually doing this are two very different things; a simple truth, but not an easy one. It might even seem impossible. However, when we come to know the One to whom we are giving everything, we realise that we in fact lose nothing and gain so much more, so we need not be afraid.

In all our work we can trust that by placing Christ at the centre, “...All things work for good to those who love the Lord, to those called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

 

Dear Lord,

Give us the courage to take up our cross and follow in your footsteps.

Strengthen our faith to be able to hand over every part of our life to you, holding nothing back.

May we place you at the centre of our lives, before the love of anything else -

relationships, others’ opinions of us, money or success.

And may we recognise you in those we serve.

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.

To register:
Grenfell Holiday Clinic – 4^th July