Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,

Our Term is fast coming to a conclusion! Several important events will be part of this time. This includes the sacrament of reconciliation for our senior school students who enrolled in the parish program. Of course we have our St. Joseph Community Day and Colour Fun Run and Principal Farewell Assembly on Friday and next week we have our Junior School Sports Day. The young students have been learning the skills of athletics in their PE program and are looking forward to the sports day on Thursday 31st March. Full program details to follow, including parents on-site opportunity as part of our Covid recovery safety plan.

The full arrangements for the colour fun run are in a separate newsletter; the day will include a  morning Liturgy and as a chance for the students and families to farewell me as Principal. A few invited guests will join us for the celebration which will include a school liturgy.

Finally, last Friday 21 students, after qualifying from Division Swimming, headed off to Horsham to compete in the pool against schools from across the Sport Victoria Western District swim competition. A great day, although very long. I do appreciate the staff, families and students' cooperation with this long day.

Holy Week

Fr. John Fitzgerald (St Joseph’s School Parish Priest) invites all in our community to engage with the Easter liturgical season. The liturgies/prayers and mass   opportunities are all outlined below.      

Passion (Palm) Sunday begins Holy Week, Sunday 28th March.

The palms symbolise Christ’s triumph, while the cross is the symbol by which his triumph is achieved.                                                     

Mass of Holy Oils at 6:30pm (St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat) Monday 29th March.

This Mass has special significance for those who will use the Blessed Oils in 2021; the sick, those to be baptised and confirmed, the ordained.

Communal Celebration of God’s Mercy and Forgiveness at 7:30pm, Tuesday 30th March, Parishioners and visitors are invited: to hear the Word of God, to examine our conscience, to repent of our sins and to seek forgiveness of Almighty God.                             

The Easter Triduum: The Easter Story                     

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper (7:00pm), Thursday 1st April.

Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (3:00pm), Friday 2nd April.

Easter Vigil: 6:00pm (The Vigil begins with the Easter Fire), Saturday 3rd April.

Easter Sunday: 8:30am & 10:00am, Sunday 4th April. (NB: No 6:00pm Mass)