Religious Education & Pastoral Care 

Ash Wednesday 

Lent started on Wednesday with the whole school attending the Ash Wednesday mass. Lent is a chance to grow and deepen our faith through three main ways: doing something for God, something for ourselves, and something for others. We do this by

• Prayer: Strengthening our connection with God—ensuring we pray daily, going to Mass, or setting aside time for quiet reflection.
• Fasting: Giving up something as a sacrifice. It helps us practice self-control and focus on what really matters. 
• Alms-giving: This is encapsulated in our Catholic Principle - the Common Good. It is about helping out those in need, such as supporting Project Compassion, and it also includes simple acts of kindness, forgiveness, and spending time with people who are lonely.

Pope Leo XIV’s Message for Lent, ‘Listening and Fasting,’  asks us to consider making room for the word through listening. Listening is the first way we show someone we want a relationship with them. He goes on to educate us on fasting through changing our language to cultivate kindness - Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, … In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace. Pope Leo calls us to do this together, in communion with one another. We are called to undertake a shared journey this Lent. We can do this in our school, parish and community.

Next school mass

Friday, 6 March at 10am, with Years 1 & 2 helping to organise the mass.

As always, everyone is most welcome to come along.

A special shout out to Mrs Phillips and her amazing Year 3 & 4 team who helped with the mass on Wednesday. Fr Damien made special mention of the way everyone behaved, read and served; thank you!

Lenten Groups

These will be offered each Tuesday at 4pm during Lent in the school library starting next week, Tuesday 24th February. Everyone is most welcome to join. Any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.

Sacramental dates for St John's Barraba 2026

Confirmation:    SUNDAY 26th July 2026 at 10am

For those who are baptised in the Catholic faith and in Years 5 or 6

First Holy Communion:  SUNDAY 31st May 2026 at 10am

For those who are baptised in the Catholic faith and in Year 3

Centacare

We welcome Jithin Jose (Jimmy) to our 2026 school team from Centacare NENW. Jimmy will be working here at St Joseph's Barraba every Thursday offering support and counselling to those in need. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you would like to request this service for your child. 

Mini Vinnies

Wow! What a response to the call out for Mini Vinnies volunteers this year!

I was absolutely floored by the generosity and commitment of our 31 volunteers to be members of the St Joseph's Mini Vinnies team for 2026. I am so proud of the students in the primary years for the way they are determined to put our school motto into action: "In all things, charity".

Congratulations to the Mini Vinnies leadership team:

President: Angel-Lee

Vice President: Piper

Spiritual Advisor: Preston

Secretaries: Meeval & Stella

Leaders: Blake & Lucas

Keep an eye out for their reports in the newsletter each fortnight!

God bless,

Deb McDouall