Religion and Parish News
A Family Lenten Prayer
Dear Jesus,You prayed a lot and love families like ours.Help us pray every day, say sorry for bad choices, and be kind to each other.
Teach us to eat less sometimes (like no extra sweets), so we think of You more.Help us share toys, food, and smiles with those who need them—like You shared everything.
Make our home a happy place of love and prayer, like the Holy Family.Keep us safe from bad things, and bring us joy at Easter!We ask this through Mary, Joseph, and You, dear Jesus.Amen!
Important Dates
Shrove Tuesday:
Tuesday 17th of February
Shrove Tuesday is a very special day when we get ready for Lent. It is a time to think about how we can be closer to God by saying sorry for the things we have done wrong and trying to do better. Just like people will enjoy pancakes tomorrow as a treat before Lent begins, we can also think about filling our hearts with kindness, love, and forgiveness.
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday which kicks off the season of Lent. The name “Shrove” comes from an old English word shriven, meaning absolved of sins, reflecting the time of confession and repentance during Lent.
Eating pancakes has become a famous custom on Shrove Tuesday. The pancake tradition comes from medieval times, where they would consume rich ingredients in the house like eggs, butter, and sugar before fasting for Lent. This also connects with the Old Testament removal of yeast from the house before Passover.
Ash Wednesday and Opening Schools Mass with St Mary’s College:
Wednesday 18th of February (SXG Hall).
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a special 40-day season in the Catholic Church when we prepare our hearts for Easter, the celebration of Jesus rising from the dead. It's a day of penance, which means we pray more, fast (eat less), and give up things that aren't good for us, like extra snacks or screen time, to grow closer to God and say sorry for our sins.
Why Ashes on Our Foreheads?
The ashes are a simple but powerful sign, like a badge that helps us remember important truths about ourselves and God:
- "Remember, you are dust, and to dust you will return." This comes from the Bible (Genesis 3:19). It reminds us that God made our bodies from the earth (like clay or dirt), and one day we will die and return to dust. But Jesus helps us live forever with God in heaven!
- "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." This calls us to say sorry for bad choices (like fighting with siblings or being mean) and follow Jesus' good news of love. The ashes show we are weak like dust and need God's strong love to help us be good. They help us start Lent with a clean heart, just like King David prayed: "Create in me a clean heart, O God."
The ashes are like a starting line for a big race to Easter. They mark us as God's team, helping us fight sins and choose kindness every day. They're not dirty—they're holy signs of turning back to God and getting ready for new life at Easter
Ash Wednesday kicks off Lent with prayer, penance, and ashes that remind us: we're from dust, we sin, but God's mercy makes us new—like a fresh start with Jesus leading the way.
2026 St Xavier’s School and St Joseph’s Parish Gunnedah Sacramental Program
Confirmation
Saturday 28th March, 9am, St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah
Parent Night Thursday 26th February, 5:30pm, at St Joseph’s Church
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)