Religion
Welcome back to a brand new school year! I hope you and your family enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing holiday break and are managing to stay cool during this summer heat.
It is a joy to see our school filled with energy and smiling faces once again as we settle into 2026. This section of our newsletter is dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the important events, celebrations and milestones happening within our Religious Education space, ensuring our families remain connected to the spiritual life of our school.
Opening School Mass
We warmly invite all parents, carers and friends to join our whole school community as we celebrate the beginning of the new academic year. This is a special occasion where we gather to seek a blessing for the year ahead and officially induct our Year 6 School Leaders. The mass will take place on Wednesday, 11th February (Week 3) and 9:30am in the church.
Kellie Salmon
Religious Education Coordinator
Term 1 Mass Dates
Wednesday 11th February 2026
Opening School Mass & Year 6 Leadership Induction
9.30am - Church
Wednesday 18th February 2026
Ash Wednesday Mass
9.30am - Church
Friday 13th March 2026
St Patrick's Day Mass
9.30am - Church
Wednesday 25th March 2026
Catholic School's Week & Annunciation Mass (followed by Open Classrooms)
9.30am - Church
Saturday 28th March 2026
K, 1 & 2 Parish/School Palm Sunday Mass
6pm - Church
Thursday 2 April 2026 - Holy Thursday
Easter Paraliturgy (including Awards Assembly)
11.30am-1.00pm - School Courtyard
Friday 3rd April 2026 - Good Friday
Stations of the Cross
10.00am - School Grounds
Introduction and Welcome from Father Paddy
My name is Fr Paddy Sykes and I have had the pleasure of being the Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Parish, Junee since January 2023. I was previously at Our Lady of Fatima, South Wagga, which is better known for its parish primary school, Henschke Catholic Primary School.
I was ordained a priest in 1994 and after my Ordination, I served in the Royal Australian Navy for 12 years as a Chaplain which included time at sea in warships and overseas postings.
As Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Parish here in Junee, I provide support to the staff, students and their families in a variety of ways. You are always very welcome to come to the various celebrations held in the church during the year. I also support families who wish to have their children baptised, couples who wish to get married (both in the church and outside of the church) and assist families preparing a funeral for a loved one.
Please feel free to contact me on 02 5912 6650 or junee@wagga.catholic.org.au. I wish you and your family members entrusted to our care at St Joseph’s Primary School a very happy and rewarding year of learning.
Fr Paddy
