Our Catholic Identity

Lots has been happening in the Catholic Life and Culture of our school! Let’s take a look

Remembrance Day

On 10 November 2023, the students and staff gathered as a Catholic School community to commemorate and remember all those who lost their lives for our freedom.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918 to signal the end of World War One. At 11 am on the 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous war. Remembrance Day is a special day set aside to remember those men and women who lost their lives during the two World Wars and other conflicts.

At St Joseph’s Catholic School, we wear poppies made by an extraordinary volunteer and grandparent in our school community. The red poppy has special significance for Australians as they were among the first to flower in the devastated battlefields in the First World War. Australians wear a red poppy on Remembrance Day for three reasons:

In memory of those who died in Flanders Fields
To remember the reason for why those soldiers died
As a sign of respect between the soldiers of all Allied nations.

Year 2- First Penance

Thank you again to the teachers and parents who prepared the Year 2 students so well for the sacrament of Penance. Seeing so many parents and grandparents present at this Sacrament to support the students was lovely. You are always most welcome! Special thanks to Fr Patrick and Fr Brian, who guided the students in this process.

After the Sacrament, many students said how they felt:

“ I feel relieved because I can start again.”

“ I feel happy.”

“ I feel…. ahhhhhhh, refreshed!”

“ I felt a little nervous, but now I am proud of myself!”

Does Pope Francis go to Penance? Most certainly! Pope Francis is just like us, and no one is perfect. It is humbling to know that everyone makes mistakes. Here is an image of Pope Francis on 28 March 2014, from CatholicNewsAgency.com.

Fr Patrick visits Year 4

Last week, the Year 4 students were visited by Fr Patrick. He warmly invited them to Family Mass this Sunday as well as spent some time answering their questions. They were engaged with what he had to share about the Church and essential traditions. Here are some of the questions that were asked.

I wonder if you can answer any of them at home?

- Why do we bow to the tabernacle?

- Why do we make our First Holy Communion in Year 3?

- Why do they ring the bells during Mass?

- How old was Jesus when he died?

- How old is our church?

- Why do priests wear the vestments?

Thank you again, Fr Patrick, for your time. All students, especially those in Year 3 and Year 4 are invited to Family Mass this Sunday at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. There will be a FREE morning tea after the 8:30 am Mass. If you are interested in reading or taking part in this Mass, please contact the office. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Year 1 are learning about Creation!

As part of the Religious Education Curriculum, students in Year 1 have been learning about God's Creation and how we can care for it. After reading the Scripture passage, students were given the opportunity to explore this story in the form of a watercolour painting. Look through the artworks, can you guess what part of God’s Creation is being represented?

Have you sold all of your raffle tickets?

Last Monday, all students were given a book of raffle tickets to sell. Many students have already connected with their family, friends and neighbours to sell these tickets. The winners for the raffle will be drawn at our annual St Joseph’s Christmas Concert held on December 7 from 5:00 pm (Free Sausage Sizzle) and Carols beginning at 5:45 pm. All families are invited to attend.

St Joseph’s Bulli Mass times

We at St Joseph’s would like to invite all our school families to join us for Mass on Sunday. Regularly attending Mass is a wonderful opportunity to nourish our faith and keep the flame of faith alive. It is also a great opportunity to build on the existing family, school and Parish partnerships that we have at St Joseph’s. We look forward to seeing you at one of our Masses this weekend.

Sunday: 8:30 am & Sunday: 5:30 pm - St Joseph’s Bulli

Can’t make it on Sunday? Our neighbouring church, St Columbkille’s at Corrimal celebrates Mass at these times:

Saturday: 6:00 pm & Sunday 9:30 am- St Columbkille’s Corrimal

Family Mass is held on the last Sunday of every month. The next family Mass will be on 26 November at 8:30am and 5:30pm. All Year 3 and Year 4 students and families are welcome to attend. If you wish to participate in this Mass by reading or offertory, please contact the office.

Quick Quiz!

The Homily occurs during the….

A) Concluding Rite

B) Introductory Rite

C) Liturgy of the Eucharist

D) Liturgy of the Word

Mr Alexander Walker

Acting Religious Education Coordinator