St Joseph's Feast Day

Thank you for joining us in our celebration of St Joseph via this newsletter page.

You might like to begin by reading the article below by Matt Baxter from the Catholic Education Office.

Please enjoy the video below which is a condensed version of the celebration.

Gathering

Sophia: Today we gather to celebrate the solemnity of St Joseph, patron saint of

our school and the Bulli Parish. On March 19 we honour St Joseph who was the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. We offer a very special and warm welcome to Bishop Brian.

Xavier: God called Joseph, a humble carpenter, to care for and protect Mary and

Jesus. With great faith and confidence, he accepted God’s call to be part of the Holy Family. With confidence, we now call on St Joseph to pray for us, protect us and lead us, the school community of St Joseph’s Bulli, to God.

We gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen

St Joseph's Toolbox

Students brought to the liturgy a toolbox and filled it with items symbolic of St Joseph's life and faith. St Joseph's Toolbox contained items from each grade with the following descriptions of each item and its special meaning in relation to St Joseph.

St Joseph the Worker (Ashby S and Zoe C )

Year 1 brings forward a toolbox, reminding us that St Joseph was a humble, hard working carpenter.

St Joseph the Teacher (Elijah and Maisie)

Year 2 brings forward a Book. Joseph was a teacher for Jesus, sharing his knowledge and helping Jesus to grow in wisdom.

St Joseph the Father (Daisy and Andy)

Kindergarten brings forward a statue that reminds us that St Joseph, a loving father to Jesus, was compassionate and caring.

St Joseph the Husband (Maya and Leo B)

Year 3 brings forward a bowl reminding us that St Joseph, husband to Mary, would help his wife in the home, share meals and conversations.

St Joseph Man of Faith (Rachel C , Jake C)

Year 4 process with Lillies. Lillies are a symbol of purity and integrity. St.Joseph holds a lily to represent his holiness.

St Joseph the Protector (Thomas C and Anika M)

Year 5 brings forward a shawl that wraps around, protects and is a symbol of warmth and safety, just as St Joseph was for his family.

St Joseph the Refugee (Matthew R and Claudia)

Year 6 process with Oil. This oil symbolises the hope, strength and healing needed for new beginnings in foreign lands. The oil also symbolises Joseph’s

At the end of the liturgy, the toolbox was presented to Bishop Brian so that throughout the Year of St Joseph he might use it to tell others in the Diocese how special St Joseph was.

Prayer and Scripture

Gospel: Luke 2:41-51

Read by Mrs Smith - Yr 6 Students Dramatisation

Jesus is found in the temple

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it.

They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journeying that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.

They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’

‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’

But they did not understand what he meant. He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.

The Gospel of the Lord

All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer of the Faithful

Year 1 Toby M

For all parents and families.That they may be inspired by the life of

Saint Joseph and continue to love and care for each other. Lord hear us

How Bishop Brian Can Be Like St Joseph.

Thank you to Year 2 who also presented Bishop Biran with a booklet entitled, "How Bishop Brian Can Be Like St Joseph." The book contained their paintings of Bishop Brian as well as great suggestions for the Bishop such as riding a donkey wherever he travels.