Our Catholic Identity
Why do we celebrate Ash Wednesday?
On Wednesday, all students attended an Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the school hall. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us to celebrate Jesus' passion, death and resurrection on Easter Sunday.
On Ash Wednesday, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told, "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return." Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.
The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.
The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolise penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.
Lent - Project Compassion
This week the season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.
We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each class received a Project Compassion box during Stage Liturgies yesterday and students are encouraged to give generously to help others in need.
The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come.
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2022
As we pause this week to reflect on the precious gift of Catholic education, we remember the intergenerational contributions that preceded us and that we continue to build upon. Since the very first Catholic school was established, countless children and young people have benefitted from the dedication and commitment of parents and staff in our Catholic schools.
This week we celebrated Catholic Schools Week. Students brainstormed and discussed all the reasons they love learning at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. Look out for students responses shared with the school community over the next few weeks in the newsletter or on Face Book.
As Catholic Schools Week is celebrated during the first week of Lent, we will also focus on the ways that our school supports the more vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our wider community. Students are encouraged to give generously and contribute to Project Compassion.
2022 Sacramental Dates
CONFIRMATION
2022 St Joseph's Bulli Sacramental dates for Confirmation are:
- Term 2 Week 7 Wednesday 8 June and Thursday 9 June.
Enrolment forms will be available via Compass in the following weeks.
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are still being finalised with Fr Patrick and will be communicated in the school newsletter and via COMPASS.
Mrs Christine Smith
Religious Education Coordinator