Prayer 

A Student's Prayer at the Beginning of the School Year  

We give you praise, O God, for everything that is new and beautiful,  

for everything which holds promise and brings us joy.  

Bless us as we start this new year with our friends and teachers.  

Help us to make the most of every chance we have to start afresh.  

May we show love to one another and to all.  

May the new beginning of this school year remind us that  

you give us chances to start over again and again.  

Help us to forgive others as we receive your forgiveness.  

Help us to learn and to work together.  

Help us to listen when we should and to know the  

best words when we speak and when it is better not to speak.  

We thank you for our friends and help us to be good friends this year.  

Help us to be patient with ourselves and with others.  

Bless our school and keep us safe.  

Be with us as we travel each day.  

Help us to be aware of your love shown to us in the people around us.  

Bless all those who care for us in school and at home.  

Help us show our care for them and to say sorry when we need to.  

May the Blessed Mother Mary protect us and help us to live as well as we can,  

Giving thanks and glory to God as she did.  

Amen 

Term 1 Class Mass Dates 

Each class joins with the parish community once a term in the celebration of Mass.  These Masses are held of a Friday and begin at 10:15am in St Joseph’s Church.  Below is a list of dates when each class is attending in Term 1.  Parents and grandparents are invited to join their children in prayer at this time. 

Beginning of Year Mass

All are welcome to come and gather in prayer as one community to celebrate the new school year.  This will also be our opportunity to induct our student leadership team for 2019.  The Mass is on Thursday 13th of February beginning at 9:15am at St Joseph’s Church.  There will be a cuppa for parents and grandparents afterwards in the school grounds.  All are very welcome to join us for this celebration! 

Season of Lent: Ash Wednesday 

St Joseph’s will mark the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Mass. It will be a time to gather as a school community to prepare for the journey leading up to Easter. The Mass will begin at St Joseph’s Church at 9:15am on Wednesday 26th February. All members of our school community are warmly to attend. Below is a family calendar for Lent 2020

A child’s catholic faith journey begins with the sacrament of Baptism and continues with the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation and then celebrating their First Communion (completing the sacraments of initiation). The preparations for these sacraments in the region will run from February to June 2020. Preparations are completed as a family, with online activities and volunteer work within the community. Enrolments for 2020 are now open for any child aged seven and above. The program is mainly targeted at students in Year 4, however, if your child is in Year 5 or Year 6 and they would like to take part in the program this year it is not too late.  For more information please visit the parish website link for the enrolment form or alternatively contact Miss Colvin at school.

An information meeting will be held at the Southern Cross Hall in Hunter St, Newcastle West (near the Sacred Heart Cathedral) at 7pm on Tuesday, 18th February. 

Key Dates for the Sacramental Program for 2020 have been made available: 

• 18th February information night Southern Cross Hall 7pm. 
• 10th March Commitment Ceremony @ SHC 6pm. 

Reconciliation modules begin. 

• 29th March Reconciliation mini-Retreat @ SHC 4pm 45 mins then Mass and sausage sizzle post Mass. 
• 31st March St Joseph’s, 1st April Stockton, 7th April SHC, 8th April Mayfield, 2nd rites with parishioners. 

Confirmation modules begin after school holidays. 

• 22nd May Confirmation Retreat SHC. 
• 26th & 27th May Confirmation @ SHC all candidates together by Bishop Bill. 

Holy Communion modules begin. 

• 14th June FHC Mini Retreat @ SHC 4pm 45 mins then Mass and Pizza in Toohey room post Mass. 
• 20th and 21st June first Holy Communion in their parish community. 

For any further information please contact Anne Warren at the Regional Office on 4979 1101 or email anne.warren@mn.catholic.org.au 

Upcoming Dates

Catholic Schools Week – Monday 2nd March marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week.  Student Council will be leading us in liturgy in the Hall beginning at 9:15am.

St Joseph’s Day – Our school feast day will be celebrated on Thursday 19th March beginning with a liturgy in the church at 9:15am.  More information to come soon.                

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Newcastle Inner City Catholic Community - Weekend Mass times  

Sacred Heart Cathedral – Vigil Saturday 5:30pm, Sunday 9:30am and 5:00pm 

St Joseph’s, The Junction – Sunday 9:00am 

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Tighes Hill – Sunday 8:00am 

St Mary’s, Newcastle – Sunday 7:30am

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