St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Bulli

    Our Catholic Identity

Advent

The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning coming or arrival. When we reflect on its meaning, we gain a truer understanding of the season that we are about to begin. One way in which we can adequately prepare for this time is to reflect on the story of Christmas. I would encourage you to purchase a copy of “The Sign”. Inside contains daily Scriptural and artwork reflections all throughout the season of Advent. Families can purchase these books from the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong website or through the Parish office. Each week, the staff at St Joseph’s will gather for staff prayer and use this to guide their reflections. Knowing that the word Advent means arrival, reflect on the things you do before a family member, friend, or special visitor arrives. 

 

 

This Sunday, we begin the season of Advent and light the first candle, which represents HOPE. 

 

God of our waiting, We light this purple candle to remind us of the great promise that your Son, Jesus, will be born anew among us. 

 

We pray that you may deepen our awareness of the mystery of God in our lives, as revealed in your Son, Jesus.  Amen

 

 

Christian Meditation 

A highlight this year in Religious Education has been the implementation of Christian Meditation as a form of prayer. This has been successful due to the dedication and commitment of our staff, students and the spiritual guidance of Robyn Gallagher. Fr Laurence Freeman simply says, “You cannot put a price on it.” The students are fortunate to have one singing bowl per class, which is a tool to assist the students in engaging in this practice. This image shows Year 2 during Christian meditation after Recess. 

 

Each fortnight, many students attend our lunchtime meditation prayer group. The students were asked how they felt before and after meditation, and here are some of their responses. 

  • Portia: “I feel relaxed because we did it all together.”
  • Margot:  “ I feel still, like I can’t move a bone.”
  • Aria and Arabella: “I feel calm, calm- just very calm.”
  • Fletcher:  “I feel calm, relaxed and ready for learning.”
  • Gia: “I feel happy because we meditated and I am relaxed.” 
  • Ashlyn: “Calm because we meditated and God was with us and helped us.”

Christian meditation doesn’t need to be an overly complicated exercise and can start with a simple awareness and focus on our breath. “.. and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…” Genesis 2:7 

Family Mass

Thank you to all the families who attended Mass on Sunday. It was a joyous feeling struggling to get a seat. Special thank you to the students who proclaimed the Word of God with great reverence and for volunteering to do so. 

Have you sold all of your raffle tickets? 

One class is extremely close to selling all of their raffle tickets. Thank you to the students who 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 7 December from 5.00 (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 beautiful opportunity to nourish our faith and keep the flame of faith alive. It is also an excellent 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

Quick Quiz!

The Homily occurs during the…. 

  • D) Liturgy of the Word

 

Mr Alexander Walker 

Acting Religious Education Coordinator