Religious Life of the School

Last week I shared with you the 4th Phase of the Evangelisation process: Making Disciples. Making Disciples is at the centre of our 2019 focus scripture- The Commissioning of Disciples (Matthew 28: 16-20). Making Disciples involves two parts:

1. Catechesis (Religious Instruction)
2. Incorporation in the Church (Community)

At St Joseph’s, the students receive Catechesis and Incorporation in the Church on a daily basis. While preparing for Sacraments, students also receive Catechesis and incorporation into the Church through our Parish-based Sacramental programs. For adults, Catechesis for those who have not received the Sacraments is available through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program. See more information in the Formation section about the RCIA Program available through St Joseph’s Parish.

Where do you see yourself in your faith journey?

Prayer and Worship 

Student Led Christian Prayer

Each Friday, after first break, Year 6 lead classes in prayer with a focus on the Gospel for the coming Sunday.

Liturgical Season: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Liturgical Season Colour: Green

This week the focus is on the Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus told this story: “Once there was a rich man who had fine clothes and the best of everything that money could buy. He spent his time enjoying himself and feasting with his rich friends. On the street outside his house lay a poor man called Lazarus, who was thin and hungry and covered in sores. Lazarus would gladly have eaten the man’s scraps, if they had been offered to him.

One day Lazarus died and went to heaven where he was truly happy at last. When the rich man died, he went to hell and saw Lazarus so happy and cried out to him for help.

But God asked the rich man, ‘Did you help when Lazarus cried out for food? Did you care for him when he was ill and nowhere to go? You thought only of yourself and gave up the chance of everlasting happiness with me.’”

At home we invite you to read the upcoming Gospel as a family and discuss our focus questions for the week.

1. Why do you think the rich man did not share his riches with the poor man?

2. What do you think the rich man should have done?

3. What are some other ways we can help those who are less fortunate than ourselves?

Prayer in 2 Magenta

Celebrating Liturgy and Sacraments

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Invitations to our Grandparents and Special Friends have gone home with each student. We look forward to celebrating with you on Thursday 24 October from 9:00-11:30am. Guests can attend all or some of the events. We hope you are able to be a part of our Christ-Centred Community for this special occasion.

Upcoming Masses

This year we have been working to strengthen our connection with our Parish. One way we have been achieving this is for classes to attend one grade mass per term. Families are very welcome to join us for these masses. The upcoming masses are:

• Friday 27th September: Foundation and Grade 5 9.15am
• Sunday 3rd November: St Joseph’s Family Mass led by Year 6 9.00am

Sacraments

Sacrament of Confirmation

Last Saturday evening we gathered for the final formation session for the Sacrament of Confirmation. All are welcome to join us to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 13 October at 9am. We keep these children in your prayers:

Social Action & Justice

Catholic Mission

October is Catholic Mission Month. October is also the Month of the Rosary. At St Joseph’s we will hold a "Day of Many Colours" event on Thursday 31st October where children will wear a colour representing the continent their family is from and come together as a whole to school to pray the Rosary.

The Social Justice Leaders are also working on a "Move for Mission" lunchtime Disco on Thursday 31st October. There will be one offered Break 1 for Junior Primary and one offered Break 2 for Upper Primary. It will be a gold coin donation entry and more information will be available early next Term.

Religious Identity and Culture

Ethos and Charism

Our strategic priority to deepen our St Joseph’s identity means to deepen our understanding of our Josephite Charism.  We can learn much about our Josephite Charism through quotes from Saint Mary Mackillop. As we finish Term 3, the quote for this week is:

Evangelisation and Faith Formation

Faith Formation

St Joseph’s Parish will begin its annual Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) journey this October.

If you are curious about God or the Catholic Church, were baptised as a child but did not receive Eucharist or Confirmation, visit the parish one Sunday and speak to Fr Paul.

If you have questions about the RCIA process, please email Alwyn Dantis on alwyndantis@yahoo.com or ring 0467 243 363.

Melanie Stratford

Religious Education Coordinator

melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au