Religion and Parish News
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Jubilee Year 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope
The theme for our school year is ‘We are Pilgrims of Hope’. Pope Francis’ has invited us this year to participate in the Jubilee Year as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Since 1300 AD, the Catholic Church has celebrated the Jubilee Year every 25 years.
The Jubilee Logo shows four figures, representing all of humanity, coming from the four corners of the earth. They embrace each other to indicate the solidarity and fraternity which should unite all peoples.
The figure at the front is holding onto the cross. It is not only the sign of the faith which this lead figure embraces, but also of hope, which can never be abandoned, because we are always in need of hope, especially in our moments of greatest need.
There are rough waves under the figures, symbolising the fact that life’s pilgrimage does not always go smoothly in calm waters. Often the circumstances of daily life and events in the wider world require a greater call to hope.
That’s why we should pay special attention to the lower part of the cross which has been elongated and turned into the shape of an anchor which is let down into the waves.
The anchor is well known as a symbol of hope. In maritime jargon the ‘anchor of hope’ refers to the reserve anchor used by vessels involved in emergency manoeuvres to stabilise the ship during storms. It is worth noting that the image illustrates the pilgrim’s journey not as an individual undertaking, but rather as something communal, marked by an increasing dynamism leading one ever closer to the cross.
The cross in the logo is by no means static, but it is also dynamic. It bends down towards humanity, not leaving human beings alone, but stretching out to them to offer the certainty of its presence and the security of hope.
At the bottom of the logo is the motto of the 2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims in hope which is represented in green letters.
Forgiveness and renewal remain key themes of a Jubilee year. It is a year of prayer and pilgrimage during which we are called to seek forgiveness and strengthen our relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.
Important Dates:
Ash Wednesday Mass with St Mary’s College
9:15am, Wednesday 5th March, St Xaviers Hall
2025 St Joseph’s Parish Sacramental Program
Confirmation
Sunday 6th April, 9am, St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah
Parent Night Thursday 27th February, 6pm, at St Joseph’s Church (Week 5, Term 1)
Rite of Enrolment Saturday 1st March (6pm) OR Sunday 2nd March (8:30am), at St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah or Sacred Heart Boggabri
Rite 2 Reconciliation Thursday, 3rd April St Joseph’s Church at 11:40am
Retreat Day Thursday, 3rd April, St Xavier’s Primary School (Week 10, Term 1)
Confirmation to meet with Fr Abmar at 11:40am. BBQ lunch shortly after 12:30pm.
First Eucharist
Sunday 1st June, 8:30am, St Joseph’s Church (The Ascension of the Lord)
Parent Night Thursday 1st May, 6pm, at St Joseph’s Church (Week 1, Term 2)
Rite of Enrolment Saturday 3rd May (6pm) OR Sunday 4th May (8:30am), at St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah or Sacred Heart Boggabri
Rite 2 Reconciliation Friday 30th May, 11.40am at St Joseph’s Church, Gunnedah (Week 5, Term 2)
Retreat Day Friday 30th May, St Xavier’s Primary School (Week 5, Term 2)
- Rite 2 Reconciliation 11.40am St Joseph’s Church, BBQ lunch shortly after 12:30pm.
Altar Serving:
Commissioning Mass - Saturday 28th June (Boggabri) and Sunday 29th June (Gunnedah)
Parent Information and Session 1 - Tuesday 10th June
Session 2 - Tuesday 17th June
Session 3 - Tuesday 24th June
First Reconciliation
Tuesday 23rd September, 6pm, St Joseph’s Church (Week 10, Term 3)
Parent Night Thursday 21st August, 6pm, at St Joseph’s Church (Week 5, Term 3)
Rite of Enrolment Saturday 23rd August (6pm) OR Sunday 24th August (8:30pm), at St Joseph’s Church Gunnedah or Sacred Heart Boggabri
Retreat Day Tuesday 23rd September, St Xavier’s Primary School (Week 10, Term 3)
Parish Bulletin
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