R.E News - Assistant Principal / Mission

 Fathers Day and the Year of St Joseph

On Sunday September 5, Australians celebrate Fathers. Very much like Mothers Day, we are able to celebrate all those who fulfill a fatherly role. This includes fathers of course but also the clergy, big brothers, uncles and grandfathers. We also celebrate Abba (not the band) but God the ultimate loving father.  In the Year of St Joseph we particularly remember the Patron Saint of Fathers. In a somewhat unconventional family, St Joseph is the step father of the Son of God, Jesus, and the husband of the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary. Father's Day is a great Day to remember the exemplary role-model and patron saint of fathers, Saint Joseph.

None of Joseph's words are recorded in scripture but we do know a lot about him.  He is a role model for fathers who follow him.  In Matthew's Gospel , Saint Joseph was a “righteous man” (Matthew 1:19). He experienced and dealt with many of the issues that Fathers would today in a way that models dignity, faith, loyalty and service. He was extraordinarily compassionate and caring. The protection and providing for his family were paramount. Moreover he had an incredible faith in God. Although he does not say anything in the bible, he acts without hesitation when asked by God to carry out his mission. Examples include Joseph's care of the pregnant Mary in what would have been seen as scandalous circumstances and his taking the family hurriedly to Egypt because of the threat posed to his family by Herod (many refugee fathers today have done the same). 

Joseph modelled all those traits we admire in good fathers. He was a spiritual man visiting the temple regularly. He was hard working, providing for his family through hard manual labour. He didn't fly off the handle in a crisis.  He was totally faithful and devoted to his family. St Joseph did not do anything that was beyond the scope of all fathers today.

Interestingly as does Mary he is known by a number of titles that attest to his standing in the Church and his virtues. These include;

Noble son of the House of David

Light of patriarchs

Husband of the Mother of God

Guardian of the Virgin

Foster father of the Son of God

Faithful guardian of Chris

tHead of the holy family

Joseph, chaste and just

Joseph, prudent and brave

Joseph, obedient and loyal

Pattern of patienceLover of poverty

Model of workers

Example to parents

Guardian of virgins

Pillar of family life

Comfort of the troubled

Hope of the sick

Patron of the dying

Terror of evil spirits

Protector of the Church

Bartolome Esteban Murillo (ca 1670-75)

If you look at depictions in Artworks of Joseph (check out this great link) you will see him portrayed as tender, attentive and caring.  These all point to a man with a deep affection for his son, a man wishing to spend quality time with his son, a man who desires to pass his knowledge of the world and God, a man that was affectionate and leaves no doubt of the unconditional love of a father.  Joseph is the patron saint of fathers.  May his life, virtues and actions inspire all fathers to be the best fathers they can. The prayer below comes from the parish bulletin.

For Fathers 

Lord, Heavenly Father, you entrusted your Son Jesus, the child of Mary, to the care of Joseph, an earthly father. 

Bless all fathers as they care for their families. 

Give them strength and wisdom, tenderness and patience; support them in the work they have to do, protecting those who look to them, as we look to you for love and salvation, 

through Jesus Christ our rock and defender. 

Amen.  

7RE1

Mrs Vicki Channon

We have started a new unit called Stewards of Creation. I shared a beautiful photo that I took whilst out walking one morning this week. We discussed the awesomeness and beauty of creation, using this image as inspiration, in break out rooms during our zoom on Tuesday. The students also shared what they were grateful for this week. Some of the responses included family, a nice home to be during lockdown, a new baby goat being born, a  new lamb, not being sick, lots of fresh air and space to exercise in. Here is my beautiful photo. We all need to take time out to appreciate the small things (actually the huge things) in life that we so often take for granted. Have a good week everybody.

Mrs Channon.

Vinnies Virtual Sleepout

Donations are still been accepted online for the Armidale Vinnies Community Sleepout. Many members of the Parish and wider Armidale Community participated and helped raise important funds through their own fundraising pages linked to the sleepout. Thanks go to all involved. 

https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-community-sleepout-armidale-2021/st-mary-st-josephs-cathedral-parish

Damian Roff

LASALLIAN VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS 2022 OPEN  

Lasallian Mission Services are excited to announce that applications for the Lasallian Volunteer Program 2022 are now open. This unique long term Volunteering program is a one of a kind opportunity for personal growth for dedicated Young Lasallians wishing to share their time and talents. The LMS team have been calling RECs to book in an appropriate time at school to do in-person promotion.

Our Founders - St Angela Merici and St John Baptiste De La Salle

Year of St Joseph

Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish

Keeping in touch with what is happening in the Cathedral Parish is easy through their website and Facebook pages.

With such a difficult year and a half it has been harder for parishioner's to give to the parish through the plates, particularly when the church is closed as it is at present. The Parish account details are available on the Parish bulletin. 

Cathedral Parish Website

Information about our founders

La Salle Website

Ursuline Sisters Website