Catholic Identity

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week is a special time for our school community to celebrate our Catholic identity and the life‑giving partnership between school, parish, and families. It highlights the vital role Catholic education plays in nurturing young people who are faith‑filled, compassionate, and committed to making a positive difference in the world. 

This year’s theme, ‘Seek Peace and Pursue It’ (Ps 34:14; 1 Peter 3:11), speaks directly to the heart of Catholic education. Catholic schools are called not only to educate the mind, but to form the whole person in the light of the Gospel. By intentionally seeking and actively pursuing peace, our schools strive to create communities grounded in respect, justice, compassion, reconciliation, and hope.

In our school, the call to peace is lived out each day through learning, relationships and service.  Students are encouraged to grow not only in knowledge, but also in empathy, respect and a commitment to the common good.  Teachers and staff model the values of the Gospel, helping our young people to become people of faith, hope and peace in their families and communities.

As we continue to celebrate Catholic Education Week 2026, we give thanks for the students, educators, leaders and families who together create communities where the peace of Christ is known and shared.

As part of Catholic Education Week, St Joseph's has been sharing the message of peace in our community through a range of meaningful activities-

• Mindful Monday - thinking about ways we can find peace for ourselves.

• Thankful Tuesday - taking time to say thanks to people who support, care and help us.

• Welcoming Wednesday - being mindful to include others in our play. 

• Thoughtful Thursday - showing random acts of kindness to others.

• Friendly Friday - enjoying our time with our peers and classmates and making sure we have fun together.  Being respectful, kind  and compassionate to others.

Also, this week, each class has designed a symbol for peace and what it means to them. These will be displayed in the office space throughout the week.

Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist

This week we began our first session together for the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.  We wish those students all the very best as they prepare to receive the Sacraments, and we will be thinking and praying for each one of them.  They are:- Lachlan C, Lucas C, Henry D, Peggy F, Hannah L, Gabriella J, Cameron K, Amelia K, Brooklyn O, Ava S, Eleanor S, Tom W and Parker W.

The date for the Sacraments is Saturday June 20 at St Joseph's Church at 6pm.  

Term 2 Mass Dates

This term, students will be attending Mass in their units.  We also will have a whole school Mass to celebrate the Feasts of the Sacred Heart and a Mother's Day Liturgy.  Dates for these events are below:

Gospel

John 14:15-21

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate.

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.

I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you for ever,

that Spirit of truth whom the world can never receive since it neither sees nor knows him;

but you know him, because he is with you, he is in you.

I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you.

In a short time the world will no longer see me; but you will see me, because I live and you will live.

On that day you will understand that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.

Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me;

and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.’

Children's discussion starters:

• Who are the people who love you?
• What do they ask of you in return for their love?
• Jesus loves us and asks us to keep his commandments.
• What are some of his commandments?

Jesus says the Holy Spirit will help us.  Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to help us love others.

Elise Nally, Catholic Identity Leader

enally@sjquarryhill.catholic.edu.au