The Church Liturgical Calendar  

As we celebrate important events in our lives, so to the Church celebrates the mysteries of Christ’s life in a cyclical pattern. Each liturgical season has its distinctive colour that emerges from nature, celebration days, themes and symbols. Within the cycle of a year the Church remembers and celebrates Christ’s birth, death, resurrection and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Easter Triduum, with the inclusion of the Easter Vigil, is the peak of the Liturgical Year. The liturgical Year commences with the first Sunday of Advent, the four weeks before Christmas. 

We are currently in the season of Ordinary Time which has the longest duration during the Liturgical Year. The colour green is used during this period to symbolise nature, life and continuous new growth in all of creation. Ordinary time is a 33-34 week period that falls into 2 blocks. It begins after Easter and continues until Advent. The 2nd block begins after Christmas and goes until Lent. During Ordinary Time we celebrate our faith from day to day.  

Year 6 Leadership Retreat  

On Friday 4th June Year 6 participated in the St Joseph’s Leadership Retreat which included several sessions around leadership qualities and leadership in action. Miss Libby and Mrs Gear focussed on leaders in the Church and modern-day leaders who have been positive role models.  Mrs Pearce led a session on the “flock of the geese” and how working as a team is highly effective. We were fortunate to have Rachael McLean from CES present an amazing session about Reconciliation and how Year 6 could represent this through iconology. The group worked together to design an icon specific to St Joseph’s and Weipa which looks at the journey of moving forward respectfully and the importance of partnership. It was a great day for all.  

Year 6 Leadership Mass 

On Monday 7th June, we gathered as a community to celebrate the 2021 Year 6 students being leaders of the school. The students had input into the planning of the mass selecting their favourite hymns and analysing the readings. All the students attended with their parents and the community to show that they are ready to be leaders of the school. Each child received a badge which they have continued to wear all week and read out a pledge to show their commitment to upholding the school values. The mass finished with a morning tea with the parents to celebrate this special milestone.  

Sacramental Program 2021 

This year our Sacramental Program will be offered as follows: 

Baptism: available to all students and adults any age, one parent and Godparent must be baptised. 

Dates: 

• Saturday 3rd July (6pm) or Sunday 4th July (8.30am) 

• Saturday 7th August (6pm) or Sunday 8th August (8:30am) 
•  

Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation are all available to students who have been Baptised as Catholics and are in Years 3-6. Children being confirmed will need a sponsor.               

Dates:                                  

• Reconciliation Liturgy at Parish on Saturday 16th October 3/4pm.  

Preparation Sessions: approx. 4 x 40mins sessions in Term 3 at 3:30pm at St Joseph’s 

• First Eucharist and Confirmation will be at a Parish Mass on Sunday 17th October at 8:30am 

Preparation Sessions: approx. 6 x 40mins sessions in Term 3 at 3:30pm at St Joseph’s 

Asked to attend Reconciliation on Saturday 16th October before receiving the Sacraments.  

Forms will need to be completed if you child is receiving any of these sacraments and returned by the end of Term 2. Please collect paperwork from the school office or contact Michelle Gear mgear@cns.catholic.edu.au