Religion and Parish News
Prayer
Important Dates
2026 St Xavier’s School and St Joseph’s Parish Gunnedah Sacramental Program
Confirmation
Saturday 28th March, 9am, St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah
Rite of Enrolment Saturday 28th February (6pm) OR Sunday 1st March (8:30am), at St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah
Rite 2 Reconciliation Thursday, 26th March St Joseph’s Church at 6pm (Week 9, Term 1)
Retreat Day Friday, 27th March, St Xavier’s Primary School (Week 9, Term 1)
Confirmation to meet with Fr Abmar / Bishop Murphy at 11:40am (TBC). BBQ lunch shortly after 12:30pm.
First Eucharist
Sunday 28th June, 8:30am, St Joseph’s Church
Parent Night Thursday 28th May, 5:30pm, at St Joseph’s Church
Rite of Enrolment Saturday 30th May (6pm) OR Sunday 31st May (8:30am), at St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah
Retreat Day Thursday 25th June, St Xavier’s Primary School (Week 10, Term 2)
- Rite 2 Reconciliation 11.40am St Joseph’s Church, BBQ lunch shortly after 12:30pm.
Altar Serving:
Commissioning Mass - Sunday 9th August (Gunnedah)
Parent Information and Session 1 - Thursday 23rd July - 5:30pm, at St Joseph’s Church
Session 2 - Thursday 30th July - 5:30pm, at St Joseph’s Church
Session 3 - Thursday 6 August - 5:30pm, at St Joseph’s Church
First Reconciliation
Tuesday 22nd, 6pm, St Joseph’s Church (Week 10, Term 3)
Parent Night Thursday 27th August, 5:30pm, at St Joseph’s Church (Week 6, Term 3)
Rite of Enrolment Saturday 29th August (6pm) OR Sunday 30th August (8:30pm), at St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah
Retreat Day Tuesday 22nd September, St Xavier’s Primary School (Week 10, Term 3)
Ash Wednesday and Opening School Mass
Last Wednesday we celebrated Ash Wednesday and our Opening School Mass with St Mary’s College. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a special time called Lent in the Church. On this day, we put ashes on our foreheads to show our commitment of faith and humility.
Lent is a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
- Prayer - helps us to get closer to God and remember the promises made at our baptism.
- Fasting - is where we give something up to show our love for God and to be more aware of those living in poverty.
- Almsgiving - means to give to others to show we care about justice and are thankful for what God has given us.
Lent prepares us for Easter, the most important time in the Church. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we remember Jesus’s death and resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may, “have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). As we live into that fullness, may we come together to unite against poverty with love and hope. Throughout Lent, let us ask ourselves, “What can I do to renew my heart and bring me closer to God who loves me so much?”
Fr Abmar and Fr Mario Year 3 Class Visit
Last Tuesday, 17th of February, Fr Abmar and Fr Mario joined us for Morning Tea to enjoy some pancakes to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. It was lovely to meet Fr Mario and welcome him into our school. After Recess, both Fr Abmar and Fr Mario visited with the Yr 3 class. They discussed the meaning behind Shrove Tuesday and also the Parable of the Talents.
