FEAST of the SACRED HEART

A New Heart for a New World

Create a new heart, loving Creator.

Beckon our lives through your Word.

Open our eyes to your call

United as one for your world.

Heighten our minds to your thoughts.

Heal us of pride and of hurt.

May we go forth in your Name.

We pray our hearts change.

Amen

Mass for the Community and St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

This week the catholic community celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart when there is an invitation to reflect on loving as Jesus loved.

• What would it mean to love as Jesus did?
• How can my heart become more "sacred?"
• How does the call to respect the dignity and sacredness of all God's creation influence my actions?

Our school community will reflect on this feast by celebrating mass together on Friday. In the past this mass has been known as Poor Man’s Mass or Mass for the Poor. It is important that we reframe and rename this mass as Mass for our Community. This renaming is necessary because all of us could be in need of a little help at any stage. It is important that we and our children do not regard those in need as “others” or different or in need of our leftovers or our pity. But understand that we all could be in need of “a hand up” with a stroke of bad luck.

We will also be taking part in the Catholic tradition of supporting the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Our Mini Vinnies group is promoting the appeal in the classrooms by organising the Pyjama and Movie Day on Thursday. The need from St Vincent de Paul is for money. This money is converted into vouchers for families for groceries, clothes, bills etc. You are invited to donate using the CDF Pay.

One of the issues with CDF Pay is that the children may not see your donation nor understand where it is going. If you are making a donation I invite you to take a moment and gather your kids with you and let them know what it is and who it is for. Also, point out the St Vincent store as you drive by and help them understand the connection between our school, the church and the work of St Vincent de Paul. 

As members of St Joseph’s Primary School we are all also members of the Star of the Sea Parish (regardless of our faith identity) and can take pride in the great works that our St Vincent de Paul Society do in our name. Last Sunday at each of the parish masses a St Vincent de Paul volunteer gave a speech inviting us to support the appeal. I have attached it here for you.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Noah and Dominic Anderson who celebrated their Confirmation at mass on Sunday.

Enjoyable holiday break

Finally, thanks to all of the children and teachers for their efforts, laughter, successes and mistakes over the term. I hope that everyone has an enjoyable holiday wherever you may be. 

Staffing Update

Kerri Struth retires from St Joseph’s on Wednesday.  Kerri has been a long serving Learning Support Officer who has always brought joy and positivity to our students and staff. Kerri’s infectious enthusiasm will be missed by all at St Josephs. Good luck Kerri in your next chapter.

Clare Stacey will stay on leave for the remainder of 2022 and Louis O’Connor will continue to teach in B8.

I am delighted to announce that Jen Hawkins will join St Josephs as a speech therapist one day per week beginning next term. Jen is well known to our school as she has previously worked for the Catholic Education Office as a speech therapist in our area. Jen brings extraordinary expertise in developmental language acquisition and I am looking forward to her contribution to our community.