Andrew Chinn 

We had a wonderful visit in Week 1 with Andrew Chinn. He spent the day working on songs with our choir students, Prep to Year 3 and Year 4 to 6 students. In the afternoon he played a whole school concert for our school community. We sing a lot of Andrew Chinn songs at school for our masses and liturgies, so it was heaps of fun to sing them with him live. 

Feast of St Francis of Assisi 

October the 4th was the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis is perhaps the most known and loved saint within the Catholic Church. He loved animals and nature and became one of the greatest saints in history for he was a true servant of God. Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us to show compassion for all of God’s creation. 

Catholic Mission 

October was Catholic Mission Month. Our Catholic Mission Ambassadors Claire Dore and Ava Emerick shared the following message with us: 

Thanks to the generosity of Australians like you, last year Catholic Mission were able to support vital programs around the world that help to promote dignity and human rights. The theme for World Mission Month this year is taken from the book of Matthew, ‘Go and invite everyone to the banquet.’ This message of inclusion reminds everyone to open their hearts and minds to each other.  

We feel privileged and humbled to share with you the story of the local church’s mission in Mongolia. The growth of the church community is thanks to the missionaries who have dedicated their lives to service and continuously provide essential social services to Mongolian society. We would also like to share with you the story of the House of Mercy. The House of Mercy functions as a first aid centre for people who are homeless. All people in need are provided with free laundry and bathing services, basic food supplies and clothing if needed. The House of Mercy shows how the Church cares for others.  

We are inviting you to do two things. Firstly, to pray for all our Catholic missionaries and the poor people they serve around the world. And secondly to invite your generous support for the important work of Catholic Mission by donating online. On behalf of the people of Mongolia and those engaged in mission, and the thousands of people like them in all the places you help to heal people’s lives, thank you for your support. We invite you to reflect on these words of Pope Francis: “Every Christian is called to be a missionary and witness to Christ.”  

For our Catholic Mission fundraiser this year for Socktober, the students wore silly socks for a gold coin donation and tried our soccer shootout for another donation. Everyone looked great with their silly socks and heaps of students had a go at the shootout. Yoa from Catholic Mission had lots of prizes for the students and as a community we raised $300 for Catholic Mission!!! Well done St Joey’s! It feels great to help others in need. 

All Saints & All Souls Day 

All Saints' Day is celebrated on November 1st to remember all saints and martyrs during Christian history. It is followed by All Souls' Day on November 2nd to commemorate those who have passed within the faith. Long ago in Ireland and Britain, Christians would come together on All Hallows Eve (now Halloween) to ask for God's blessing and protection from the evil in the world. The source of the modern Halloween celebrations stemmed from the donning of saintly and evil spirit costumes to act out the battle between good and evil.  

On All Saints' Day there's a call to live as saints, to remind us how we're supposed to live. On All Souls' Day, we commemorate the faithfully departed. Each celebration touches on cultural beliefs about the spirit world, honoring the dead and feasts, so when you celebrate Halloween this year remember to prepare for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day as well. 

Bishop Joe’s Visit 

We had a lovely visit with Bishop Joe and Fr. Dariusz earlier this term. They drove 820km to make Weipa the Bishop's first parish visit since his ordination. We had sent Bishop Joe a short video before his ordination to welcome and introduce him to our school and parish, and were pleasantly surprised when he returned the favour by sending us an amazing video of his time and adventures in Rome. We were blown away!  

Since then we have been learning about Bishop Joe and watched his ordination via live stream, but nothing compares to the real thing! It was such a wonderful experience for our community to finally meet the Bishop in person. He exceeded all our expectations and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this wonderful, authentic human being. 

During his time in Weipa he was very busy: 

• presiding over three masses at the Church, two with the local parishioners and one with St Joseph's Parish School community 

• spending some time with each class from Prep to Year 6 at St Joseph's Parish School and answering some very interesting questions from the students 

• lots of shared meals with local parishioners and community members 

• speaking with the local First Nations Peoples and Elders at Napranum 

• supporting the local Weipa Pink Ribbon Charity Golf Day 

• fishing at some local fishing spots. Nev Turner, local Weipa lure maker, even made the Bishop his very own signature lure! 

Month of the Holy Rosary 

The month of October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. It is referred to as the month of Mary because it is a time when the Church encourages devotion and prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary with the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. The best way to celebrate the month is to pray the Rosary. Rosary beads are used to help Catholics count their prayers. Catholics often pray the rosary to make a request to God, some to thank God for blessings received or for requesting a special favour, for example if someone is sick to help them recover.   

How to Pray the Rosary 

   1.Begin with the Sign of the Cross. 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

   2. Holding the crucifix, pray the Apostles’ Creed. 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. 

   3.On the first bead, pray an Our Father. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

   4.On each of the next three beads, pray a Hail Mary. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 

   5.On the next bead, pray a Glory Be. 

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

   6.Pray the first decade. 

On the large bead, announce the mystery and then say an Our Father. 
On each of the 10 small beads, say a Hail Mary while continuing to meditate on the mystery. 
At the end of the decade, say the Glory Be. 
Then say the Fatima Prayer: 
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy. Amen 

   7.Repeat this pattern for the remaining decades. 

Our Father -> 10 Hail Marys -> Glory Be -> O my Jesus (Fatima Prayer) 

   8.After the 5 decades, conclude with the Hail Holy Queen prayer. 

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. 
Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. 
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ 

   9.Close with the concluding prayer. 

Let us pray: 
O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by His Life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

   10.End with the Sign of the Cross. 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Mysteries of the Rosary 

Each of the five decades of the Rosary highlights a unique moment within the Paschal Mystery. There are four sets of mysteries — Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious. When praying the Rosary, we enter into one set of these mysteries at a time, meditating on them through the eyes of Mary. The Church traditionally prays certain mysteries on specific days of the week, as follows: 

Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Saturday) 

The Joyful Mysteries invite us to contemplate the Incarnation, and we enter into the wonder of Jesus coming to earth as a baby. 

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday) 

The Sorrowful Mysteries help us relive the passion and death of Jesus. We attempt to understand the depths of God’s love for us as we reflect on the cost of our salvation and redemption. 

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday, Sunday) 

In the Glorious Mysteries, we meditate on the awe-inspiring miracles that take place after Jesus’ death. These events show how Jesus is who he says he is – the Son of God.  

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday) 

Through the Luminous Mysteries, we meditate on the events of Jesus’ public ministry. 

Thank you and God Bless. 

Julie Dore 

Assistant Principal Religious Education (Acting)