St Vincent de Paul COVID Winter Appeal 

We would like to thank you all, as members of our school community, who generously supported and donated towards our fundraising and food drive over these last few weeks. It is incredible how much we have to give and support the local Vinnies chapter here in Newcastle. These resources for SVdP will make a huge difference for people whose lives are impacted during these cold winter months. It was so special to have Michelle Kot here from St Vincent De Paul to formally accept our contributions to the Winter appeal, and to speak to us about how much our contributions are needed and where they will be going. Very special thanks to Mrs Standing and our incredible St Joseph’s Social Justice team for organising this appeal and for preparing the contributions for collection. 

Sacramental Program 

Many children from our St Joseph’s community and the wider Newcastle Parish over the last two weekends have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It has been a privilege to see these students at St Joseph’s Church or Sacred Heart Cathedral make their first Holy Communion and experience this very special sacrament of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. Thank you to those in the community who have supported the children and families during the Sacramental Program. We continue to pray for these children as they continue on their faith journey. 

Feast of St Benedict

St Benedict is our Inner Newcastle Parish Patron Saint; we will celebrate the feast day during the holidays on July 11th. 

Who was St Benedict? 

St Benedict is also known as Benedict of Nursia; Founder of Western Monasticism  

Memorial 11 July 

Born c. 480, Nursia, Umbria, Italy 

Died 21 March 547 of a fever while in prayer at Monte Cassino, Italy. Was buried beneath the high altar there in the same tomb as Saint Scholastica 

Name Meaning blessed (= Benedict) 

Roman nobility. Twin brother of Saint Scholastica. Studied in Rome, but was dismayed by the lack of discipline and the lackadasical attitude of his fellow students. Fled to the mountains near Subiaco, living as a hermit in a cave for three years. His virtues caused an abbey to request him to lead them. Founded the monastery at Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule of his order. His discipline was such that an attempt was made on his life; some monks tried to poison him, but he blessed the cup and rendered it harmless. He returned to his cave, but continued to attract followers, and eventually established twelve monasteries. At one point there were over 40,000 monasteries guided by the Benedictine Rule, which in summaryis, “Pray and work.” 

NAIDOC Week will be celebrated at our school in Term 3 after our winter holidays.

Alive in the Spirit | Conference | 8-10 July 2021

The Conference, coordinated by the Lay Pastoral Ministry Network (formerly known as NAPPA) collaborating with the Christian Initiation Australia Network (CIAN), and the Mission Planners Network Oceania (MPNO) invites people to consider the events in our world, and within our Church, which present us with an opportunity to open our hearts and minds to act upon what the Spirit is asking of us at this time in Australia and Oceanic region.

The Conference encourages faith communities including clergy, staff, leadership teams, council members, ministers and volunteers; for those in pastoral care, for youth, family and education support, to engage in the life of Christ, and his Church, by exploring ways to:

• engage the wounded, the disillusioned, the disaffiliated, the discontented & disconnected members of the Body of Christ;
• heal the divisions that have caused pain in our Church;
• revitalise those Catholics who are just “hanging in there” so that they may once again share the Good News of Christ;
• encourage and resource those who have brave and bold evangelisation ideas.

We wish Helene O'Neill the very best as she presents at this conference with the activities she has completed with 4 Blue.

Visit the website for more information: https://pastoralministrynetwork.org/

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