School Mass

This term has been both exciting and busy, with the Opening School Mass and Induction of our School Leaders for 2021, the Sacrament of First Holy Communion and now preparation begins this week for the Sacrament of Confirmation. With all of these events occurring in a relatively small space of time, it is a great opportunity to simply take a break from the busy-ness to attend and celebrate Mass.

You are warmly invited to attend Mass with the students on Fridays at 9:30am at St Brigid's Church, Quirindi. Student groups attend alternate weeks, which has proved very rewarding for students and teachers, to allow them the opportunity to help prepare the Mass - and, as Father Vince gets to know our school community, he can tailor his homily to suit the students' level of understanding.

Friday Mass 9:30am 12th March - Infants

Friday Mass 9:30am 19th March - Whole School Mass

Weekend Mass Times

Saturday 5pm (Quirindi) 6:30pm (Werris Creek)

Sunday 8am (Willow Tree) 9:30am (Quirindi)

With current restrictions still in place, you are kindly asked to scan the QR code or sign in at the front foyer to the church; and if you are unwell, please stay home.

Lent 2021 - 'Be more...'

“Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”

Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Oliva, a 22-year-old woman from Tanzania. She did not have the opportunity to go to school and was embarrassed that she was unable to read, write or count. As an adult, her business was losing money because she couldn’t add up her money and give the right change to customers.

Then Oliva enrolled in Caritas Australia’s literacy and numeracy classes. She also set up a home classroom to teach her neighbours, for free, because they were too shy to attend larger classes.

Oliva has now graduated, attendance at her classes are growing, her kiosk is thriving and she is helping her children with their homework. She aims to become a pastor and run for leadership in the next local election - to help her community to ‘Be More.’

Sacrament of Confirmation

The lessons for the Sacrament of Confirmation begin tomorrow at 3:50pm in the Fr Stan Campbell Hall (behind St Brigid's Church). All Candidates must be accompanied by a responsible support person to each lesson. Please be prompt.

Early in Term 2, 2021, we will be welcoming Bishop Michael Kennedy to St Joseph's School and St Brigid's Parish as part of the celebration for students receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Confirmation is about renewing a person's Baptismal promises. Originally, it was a Sacrament that preceded Holy Communion, but over time it has become a symbol of those aged between 10 and 13 moving towards adulthood and Confirmation is the sacrament which ‘seals’ or ‘reaffirms’ our baptism before we take the final step in becoming a full member of the Catholic Church – sharing in Holy Communion is a significant part of this.

Notes were sent home in Week 4 of this term regarding dates and processes for Catholic students in Year 5 and 6. Students will have received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion first. If you would like further information about this Sacrament, or any other Sacrament, please contact me at School.

Please note the following dates for Confirmation Lessons:

Weekly at 3:50pm in the Fr Stan Campbell Hall

Wednesday 10th March (Week 7, Term 1)

Wednesday 17th March (Week 8, Term 1)

Wednesday 24th March (Week 9, Term 1)

Wednesday 31st March (Week 10, Term 1)

Easter School Holidays

Wednesday 21st April (Week 1, Term 2)

Wednesday 28th April (Week 2, Term 2)

Friday 30th April - Whole Day Reflection in Fr Stan Campbell Hall

- Mass and meeting with Bishop Michael Kennedy.

Sunday 2nd May, 2021 (4th Sunday of Easter) Sacrament of Confirmation

**Please note that we are awaiting advice from the Bishop's Office regarding COVID regulations. We will update you as information becomes available**

Prayer to St Joseph

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted His only Son;

in you Mary placed her trust;

with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,

and defend us from every evil.

Amen.

God bless,

Mrs Wendy Rheinberger

Religious Education Coordinator

Library News

Mrs Kate Thompson