Catholic Identity

We acknowledge Dja Dja Wurrung, the Djaara people, as the traditional custodians of the land on which St Joseph’s Primary School is built.   We pay our respects to the elders, past and present, and pay tribute to the unique role they play in the life of this region.   At St Joseph's school we are inspired by the world’s oldest living culture and celebrate their continuing contribution to the life of this region and the sharing of knowledge.   We call on the spirit ancestors to walk with us always as we share and learn together as one.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time  -  Gospel of John 6:22-35

The next day, the crowd that had remained across the lake saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not embarked on the boat with his disciples who had gone off alone.  However, boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they had eaten the loaves when the Lord had given thanks, so when the crowd saw that Jesus was no  longer there, nor were his disciples, they got into the boats and went to Capharnaum looking for him.  They found he had crossed the lake, and said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”  In answer Jesus said to them, “I tell you clearly, you are not looking for me because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled.  Work for the food that does not perish, for the food that lasts for eternal life, the food that the Son of Man will give you.   He is the one whom the Father has endorsed.  So they said to him, What should we do in order to be doing the works that God wants?  The crowd took up Jesus’ insistence of working for the food that lasts and asked what they needed to do to do the works of God, assuming that the works of God were what would endure for eternal life.

In answer to their question, Jesus said, This is the work God wants – that you trust in the one whom he sent.”  They then said to him, What sign will you do that we can see so that we can trust you?  What sign are you giving?  Our ancestors ate manna in the desert – as the Scripture said,  ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’.  Then Jesus said to them, “I tell you clearly, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven.  Rather, it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven, the authentic bread.  God’s bread is what comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. 

The Gospel of the Lord

A beginning point for discussion of this week's Gospel with children:

• In today’s Gospel a large crowd followed Jesus.  Why was Jesus concerned for them?
• What small amount of food did the disciple Andrew find?
• What did the disciples ask the crowd to do before Jesus blessed the bread and fish?
• What did Jesus do with the blessed food?
• What was left over?
• Jesus feeds us in the Eucharist.  What does he give to us?

Jesus gives us his body so that we can become one with him and live like him.

We pray that we will live for Jesus and share what we have with others.

Sacraments of Confirmation & Eucharist

We have a number of our Year 4 students preparing to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.  This special celebration will take place on Saturday August 24 at the 6pm Mass at St Joseph's Church.  Please keep these students in your prayers.