Religion and Parish News

A Prayer for Fathers

God of Abraham, Moses and Aaron;

of Zachary, father of John the Baptist,

of Joseph, foster-father of Jesus,

listen to our prayer:

Bless all who ‘father’ and protect new life in any way,

these ‘fathers’ who teach and guide, who encourage and lead.

Invite them to the table of your eternal feast,

these ‘fathers’ who work hard to provide for the life that has been entrusted to them.

Embrace them warmly in the intimacy of your love,

these ‘fathers’ who lift up with strength those who are helpless and dependent.

Bless them today with all good things:

with health, with laughter, with joy and with love, with pride in their ‘children’ and with the support of many friends.

May all ‘fathers’ who have protected and guided the life of others be themselves held securely one day in your strong embrace, there, for all eternity, to rejoice with their families and friends.

We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Feast Day - 5th September - Saint Teresa of Calcutta

In 2016, Mother Teresa, who devoted her life to helping India's poor, was declared a saint in a canonisation Mass held by Pope Francis.

During his homily, Pope Francis said:

"Mother Teresa, in all aspects of her life, was a generous dispenser of divine mercy, making herself available for everyone through her welcome and defense of human life, those unborn and those abandoned and discarded,"

"She bowed down before those who were spent, left to die on the side of the road, seeing in them their God-given dignity. She made her voice heard before the powers of this world, so that they might recognise their guilt for the crime of poverty they created."

"Mercy was the salt which gave flavour to her work, it was the light which shone in the darkness of the many who no longer had tears to shed for their poverty and suffering."

Some Quotes About Love From Saint Teresa of Calcutta:

“I am everything. Every country I love and I am a child of God to love the humans.”

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

“We have been created for greater things, to love and be loved.”

“Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.”

“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do.”

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

“Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”

Primary Reconciliation

Last fortnight, Catholic children from Years 4 and 5 attended Reconciliation at the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Chapel. Year 2 will be the next class to attend Reconciliation, which will be their Sacrament of First Reconciliation.

St Joseph’s Parish Altar Servers

The following children are rostered on for Altar Serving. Please make arrangements with another person if your child is unable to attend.

Saturday 7 September - Katie Spinks

Sunday 8 September - Ellyn, Cooper and Toby Blinman

Saturday 14 September - Zoe Law, Josie Naismith, Lily Jolliffe

Sunday 15 September - Mitchell Herden, Lucas and Cooper Blair

Important Sacrament Dates 2019

First Reconciliation - Thursday 19th September

Compulsory Mass attendance on either Saturday night or Sunday morning at the end of Weeks 7 and 8.
First Reconciliation Retreat Day: Thursday 19th September (Week 9), 9am
Sacrament of First Reconciliation: Thursday 19th September (Week 9), 6pm

Confirmation (Year 6) - Sunday 3rd November

Confirmation Parent Information Evening: Thursday 12th September (Week 8), 6pm
Confirmation Enrolment Masses: Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th September (end of Week 8)
Reconciliation for Confirmation Candidates: Wednesday 30th October (Week 3, Term 4), 5:30pm
Confirmation Retreat Day: Friday 1st November (Week 3, Term 4), 9am
Sacrament of Confirmation: Sunday 3rd November (end of Week 3), 9am