St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Bulli

    Catholic Identity

Whole School Mass 

Last Thursday, we gathered for Mass as a whole school community to celebrate the new year. After this special Mass, the Year 6 students were presented with their leadership badges. Students participated in the Mass extremely reverently and we thank the parents and carers who attended and supported the students. 

 

 

Prayer Spaces in Classrooms

During the first few weeks of the school year, students have engaged in many Religious Education Lessons. For all years, one of these lessons involves setting up the classroom prayer space. The classroom prayer space is set up in a central location in the classroom and draws the students to the notion that Jesus is everpresent in our lives. Children engage in the prayer space by using the Bible, contributing their own prayers, gathering for Christian Meditation and simply spending some time in quiet contemplation. Currently, our classroom prayer spaces are covered in green Liturgical cloth to symbolise the Liturgical season of Ordinary Time. As we enter into the season of Lent in a few weeks, the prayer spaces will be covered in purple cloth. I encourage families to spend some time to set up their own prayer space at home and share photos with me. Your prayer space at home may include green fabric, a Bible a candle and a crucifix. 

 

Year of Hope Passport 

The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong has produced a unique Jubilee Pilgrim Passport. This passport is available for all who wish to enter more deeply into the Spirit of the Jubilee Year. The goal of the passport is to encourage all to attend the specified pilgrimage sites across the Diocese of Wollongong. 

 

These sites include:

  • St Francis Xavier Cathedral- Wollongong

  • Shrine of the Immaculate Conception- Unanderra

  • Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church- Rosemeadow

  • St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church- Milton 

  • St Joseph’s Catholic Church- Kangaroo Valley

  • Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy- Sutton Forest

Each page of the passport is dedicated to a particular pilgrimage site which gets ‘stamped’ when you attend that site. I believe that we, as a thriving Catholic School can have our very own school passport filled up. Over the pupil vacation period, I attended one of these sites, the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, Penrose Park. Scattered throughout this site are many smaller shrines dedicated to our Saints. Here, I prayed for our school community, St Joseph’s Bulli. I encourage families to notify me if they have attended one of the pilgrimage sites so that we can stamp our own St Joseph’s Bulli Passport. Click the link HERE to view the digital copy of the passport.

 

Christian Meditation 

Staff and students of St Joseph’s Bulli have engaged in the prayer practise of Christian Meditation since 2023. The practise of Christian Meditation is one where we sit with God in the silence, feel God’s presence and learn to “let go”. The fruits of the practice are often experienced through our feelings and our ability to let go of concerns, worries or thoughts. The mantra (MAR-A-NA-THA) is designed to support us in this process of letting go. The  experience may equip us to manage challenging situations or emotions or  may help us to gain clarity around our decisions or hopes. It may also provide  a deep sense of God’s presence, support and love in our lives. 

 

Last, week St Joseph’s Bulli was invited to share the many fruits that this practise has produced in faith, learning and wellbeing. Members of the Catholic Life, Education and Mission (CLEM) team interviewed staff and selected students. We thank Thomas (Year 5) and Abigail (Year 6) for sharing their own stories of how Christian Meditation has impacted their lives. 

 

“When I meditate nothing happens, but my life is transformed.”

Laurence Freeman 

 

Parish of St Joseph’s Bulli- Lenten Program 2025 

All are warmly invited to attend the Parish Lenten group beginning on 14 March.  Everyone is welcome to attend after 9:30am Mass each Friday morning in the Parish Hall.

 

Upcoming events

Families are invited to attend the following events. 

  • Thursday 20 February at 11:50am: Year 5 Grade Mass 

  • Wednesday 5 March at 9:30am: Mass for Ash Wednesday (Years 2-6)

  • Wednesday 5 March at 11:30am:  Liturgy for Ash Wednesday (Years Kinder and 1) 

  • Sunday 30 March at 8:30am: Family Mass with morning tea 

Sacramental dates 

More information will be communicated closer to the date. 

  • Wednesday 30 July at 7:00pm: Year 6 Confirmation with the Bishop 

  • Thursday 31 July at 7:00pm: Year 6 Confirmation with the Bishop

  • Sunday 17 August at 8:30am and 5:30pm: Year 3 First Holy Communion 

  • Sunday 24 August at 8:30am and 5:30pm: Year 3 First Holy Communion 

  • Thursday 6 November at 9:30am: Year 2 First Reconciliation 

Quick Quiz

Which statement is NOT part of the Apostle’s Creed?

  • I believe in God, the Father almighty

  • I believe in God’s commandments

  • I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord

  • I believe in the Holy Spirit

St Joseph’s Bulli Mass times. 

We are so blessed to have a church so closely connected with our school. Please see below this week’s Mass times.

  • Sunday 8:30 am

  • Sunday 5:30 pm

 

Mr Alexander Walker

Religious Education Coordinator