Opening School Mass

Our opening school Mass held on the February 6 was a lovely celebration for our school community. Thank you to the many families who were able to join us for this special occasion.

Congratulations to our school and house leaders that received their badges at the mass and to all our Year 6 students as they begin their final year of primary school.

Prep Welcoming and Blessing Ceremony

Last Thursday, February 13, a welcome and blessing ceremony was held for our Prep students. They received their St Joseph bookmarks and got a backpack blessing from Father Greg.

Our choir sang a beautiful “Welcome” song the new members of our school family.

Thanks so much to the families who joined us to celebrate this important welcome for our Prep Students.

Shrove Tuesday/ Pancake Day- March 4

Shrove Tuesday, otherwise known as “Pancake Day” will be celebrated on March 4 this year. This follows the tradition where people used up ingredients in the house that they would go without during Lent.

At St Joseph’s, we will celebrate Pancake Day with a small reflection reminding us of the significance of this day. This will be followed by the distribution of pancakes to students at Second Break. I hope we can have some Parent volunteers to assist our Year 6 students with the Pancake making on that day.

A letter with information about Pancake Day will be sent out to Parents shortly. Please be sure to inform us of any specific dietary requirements your child may have.

We invite all students to bring in a gold coin donation on Pancake Day, to start our Project Compassion fundraising which our school supports during the Season of Lent.

Caritas Australia – Annual Project Compassion Appeal

The season of Lent begins 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 end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The theme of Project Compassion 2025 is ‘Unite Against Poverty.

This Lent, Caritas Australia's Project Compassion invites you to Unite Against Poverty and take action to make a lasting difference.

Each family will receive a Project Compassion box on Ash Wednesday.More about Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent in the next newsletter. For more information visit Caritas Australia website at: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

Sacramental Program Update

Each year, Atherton Catholic Parish conducts parish-based sacramental programs for Catholic Students in Year 4. Programs will be running throughout the year to prepare for the Sacraments of Penance, Confirmation and Eucharist. Letters will be given out this week to Catholic students in Year 4, and other interested families, about the Penance program which is starting soon. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the Sacramental program.