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

Beginning of Year Liturgy

As a school community we will gather for our Beginning of Year School Liturgy on Thursday 11th February at 10:00am in the school Hall. The school leadership team and sports captains will be presented with their badges during this celebration. Due to our COVID restrictions, only a small number of external visitors (i.e. parents) can attend. Therefore, we have personally invited the parents of the school leadership team and sports captains, who will be receiving their badges. We appreciate your understanding in complying with the diocesan COVID regulations.

Season of Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent which continues until the Holy Thursday for a period of 40 days. This liturgical season is coloured with violet.  We will drape violet (purple) cloth in our sacred spaces during Lent. Lent is a time of penance observed with fasting, prayer and abstinence. A common devotion for Lent is praying the Stations of the Cross. It is also a time of preparation for and renewal of baptism.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy

St Joseph’s will mark the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy this year. It will be a time for classes to gather as a whole school to prepare for the journey leading up to Easter. The Liturgy will begin in the Hall at 11:30am on Wednesday 17th February. If parents and community wish to attend an Ash Wednesday Mass, they are invited to the parish Mass at St Joseph’s Church at 9:30am.

Lenten Reflection 

Here are some ideas for those people who would like to do more rather than less this Lenten season. 

1. Pray– Making a vow to pray throughout Lent can help you connect with your faith.

2. Compliment Others– Most people like being complimented and giving out one compliment a day can help make someone’s day a little brighter. 

3. Smile– It’s hard to be upset when smiling. Even if it’s a gloomy day, finding a reason to smile can help make the day more bearable. 

4. Listen– It sounds easy, but in an age where everyone is glued to technology, listening is harder than some might think. Making time for conversation can be relaxing and lending an ear, without interruption, can help someone who needs to talk. 

5. Attend church– This one goes along with praying. While most make sure to attend church on major holidays, make a promise to wake up early enough on Sunday to go to church.  It could be a good way to follow through with penance. 

6. Volunteer– For those with a little extra time, lending a helping hand at a local shelter, nursing home or hospital will benefit those in need. Not a people person? Most communities have animal shelters that could probably use a volunteer. 

7. Eat Healthier – Most people might give up ice cream and fast food. Making a promise to eat more vegetables could improve health overall.

Upcoming Dates 

St Joseph’s Day– Our school feast day will be celebrated on Friday 19th March beginning with a liturgy under the COLA at 10:30am. Fun class activities and tabloids will follow after lunch.  More information to come at a later date.                 

Harmony Day 21st March – will be celebrated at school on Wednesday 24th March where the students will be invited to wear orange, rainbow colours or personal traditional cultural dress. More information to come at a later date.

Catholic Schools Week – for 2021 has changed to Term 2: May 3rd - 7th

School-Parish Relationships

Due to current circumstances with COVID-19 restrictions, all schools to are still to refrain from attending Parish Masses or Church services. We do continue to greatly value our school-parish relationship, prayer and worship, and the liturgical celebrations of our faith. As a school community, we can celebrate special liturgical events as a whole school in the Hall or under the COLA with limited/restricted parent involvement. Fr Peter Street and Helene O’Neill (Parish-Family Liaison Officer) will continue to visit the school and classes during the year to support teachers and to continue the nurturing our faith community and the school-parish relationship.

Please see the Parish Bulletin for more details and registration for Masses in our area - https://www.newcastlecatholic.org.au/weekly-bulletins/