Prayer

Gracious God, you came upon the disciples to give them the gifts they needed to spread your Word. You also come to us and give us the gifts we need to help us live as faithful Christians. We pray that your Spirit enriches our lives so that we may be open in heart and mind to live and act with justice, compassion and love. We ask that we are renewed by the gifts of the Holy Spirit during this season of Pentecost:  

• May the Spirit’s gifts of understanding, knowledge and courage transform you this day and every day
• May the Spirit’s gifts of right judgement and wisdom fill your mind and heart
• May the Spirit’s gifts of reverence and wonder and awe empower you to live faithfully. 

We ask this prayer in joy and peace so that, guided by the Spirit, we may love and serve the Lord. Amen. 

Pentecost Liturgy

The Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost fifty days after Easter Sunday. Pentecost Sunday ends the season of Easter. Before He returned to His Father in Heaven, the risen Jesus visited his disciples and promised to send the Holy Spirit to help them. We read in Scripture that one morning, when the disciples were gathered together with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and some other women, they suddenly heard a noise like a strong wind. Then they saw what looked to be flames of fire over each of them. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts of the Apostles, 2:4) 

The Holy Spirit filled the disciples with courage and faith, empowering them to share the Good News with others. They began to tell others about Jesus, and that he died for us and rose to new life. On this day, the gift of the Spirit allowed the disciples to communicate even with those who spoke different languages.  

It was wonderful to gather as a school community on Tuesday 11th June, to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.  It was an opportunity to reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they can help us live more faith-filled lives. Thank you to the Year 4 students who led the liturgy for us, and the Year 4 teachers, Mrs Charnock, Mrs Matheson, Mrs Parkes and Mrs McMillan, for your support with the liturgy preparation. We would also like to thank Helene O’Neill for joining us, sharing her thoughts about the Gospel and giving us real life examples to live and be guided by the gifts of the Holy Spirit we have received.  

Last weekend the Church celebrated The Most Holy Trinity on Sunday and we are looking for to The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this coming Sunday. 

Sacramental Program

Last Sunday 16th June, the students and families in Year 3 and Year 4 participating in the Sacramental Program took part in a mini-retreat preparing for their first Eucharist. Fr Andrew and Dr Anne presented a comparison between the Mass and Meal. The children were given the opportunity to practise receiving their First Holy Communion which was very exciting. We are in preparation for the next two weekends in our Parish where these children will be making the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It would be wonderful to see many families coming to celebrate at these special Masses to support these children on their faith journey, receiving their first Holy Communion.  

The first Holy Communion Mass times are: 

• Saturday 22nd June – 5pm Vigil at SHC 
• Sunday 23rd June – 9am St Joseph’s + Morning Tea 
• Saturday 29th June - 5pm Vigil at SHC 
• Sunday 30th June – 9am St Joseph’s + Palms Morning Tea 

Mini Vinnies

On Tuesday 25th June, Week 9, Mini Vinnies and the Student Council will be hosting a Pyjama Day at school in support of the 2019 St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal. This year St Vincent De Paul Society has requested this year that they prefer donations of blankets, money and personal messages. The students may wear their pyjamas and bring a donation for out of uniform, which will be collected in class on the Tuesday morning. At Recess, “warm” hot chocolates with marshmallows will be sold for $2 at the Canteen.  We would like to invite any parent volunteers to support with the preparing and service of the hot chocolates at Recess. The volunteer times would be 12:30-2pm. 

NAIDOC Week

On Monday, 1st July at 8:50am our school community will gather under the COLA to celebrate NAIDOC Week.  NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal Islander Day Observance Celebration.  It is a week when the country celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  Officially,

NAIDOC Week is recognised during the upcoming school holidays beginning Sunday, 7th July until Sunday, 14th July.  This year’s theme for NAIDOC week is “Voice. Treaty. Truth.” working together for a shared future. The theme is based around celebrating our First Nations people and the need to highlight these important topics of Voice. Treaty. Truth. at a national scale. 

We warmly invite parents and grandparents to join us for this liturgy. 

Feast of St Benedict

On Friday, 5th July, the last day of term, St Joseph’s as a whole school community will be travelling to Sacred Heart Cathedral to celebrate the Feast of St Benedict, our Inner Newcastle Parish Patron Saint. We will travel by bus to Sacred Heart Cathedral to join the parish and Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach, in celebrating Mass.  Mass will begin at 12 noon and the children will return to school at recess and celebrate the day with a whole school cake. 

Upcoming Events

• Sacrament of First Holy Communion. See times above
• Tuesday 25th June - Mini Vinnies Mufti and Marshmallow Pyjama Day 
• Monday 1st July – NAIDOC Week Liturgy, COLA 8:50am
• Thursday 4th July - Indigenous Sacred Space launch
• Friday 5th July (Last day of Term 2) – Whole School will celebrate the Feast day of St Benedict at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 12 noon

Palms Morning Tea

All families are invited to the Palms Australia fundraising morning tea to be held after Mass at St Joseph’s on Sunday 30th June. Many Year 4 students from St Joseph’s and Holy Family will be attending Mass at St Joseph’s Church for their First Holy Communion. The morning tea in the parish center will be an opportunity for the parish to welcome the families after Mass, play a few games and chat together, and raise money for Palms Australia. Families are welcome to bring a plate to share.  

Thank you to Cheree Flanagan for the organisation with this fundraiser. 

Palms Australia  is an international aid and development agency that sends skilled volunteers to share their skills with communities around the world. Palms Australia has placed  volunteers with communities and organisations in  Africa, Asia, the  Pacific, South America and in  Indigenous communities in Australia. Palms Australia supports  community development by sending volunteers at the request of the receiving communities, to work alongside local people and receive an equivalent living wage.

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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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