Friday 4th December 2020

Spiritual Revival during Advent

Advent is the season of preparation and hope, culminating in the celebration of the birth of Jesus, which brings us the good news that we are loved unconditionally by God. This Sunday’s Gospel is also filled with hope. John the Baptist points away from himself towards Jesus. John makes it clear that it is Jesus that the people should follow: the hope of the world. Pope Francis reminds us,“Hope is a strength, a grace and a gift from God”.  This season of hope is a great opportunity to be spiritually refreshed, to get rid of everything negative in life and make it altogether positive: to look forward knowing that God is with us. Let’s use this Season of Advent to make a fresh start and to be filled with hope. For this week's Wednesday Word, please click the following link: https://www.paperturn-view.com/uk/wednesday-word/wisdom?pid=MTA101634&v=8.8

Reverse Advent Calendar Initiative

As part of our preparations during the season of Advent, we will be supporting the residents in our local community who need our support in these current, challenging times.   With this in mind, we will be taking part as a whole school community to contribute to the local foodbank as a Reverse Advent Calendar initiative.  Plastic boxes will be placed at the drop-off/collection points around school so that parents/children can donate items for the food bank.  These will be quarantined before being sent to Our Lady and All Saints Parish Centre.  The request of items from The Black Country Food Bank can be found via the link below. Thank you in advance for your continued support.  https://www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Christmas-Shopping-List-with-toiletries.pdf

 

Christmas Cards

Children can continue to bring in Christmas cards to school during the week commencing 7th December. The children can deliver them into their class post boxes upon arrival to school. We ask that cards are given to those only in your child’s year group. Anything from home needs 72 hours of quarantine to be shared, therefore, the cards will be handed out on 14th December. We will not be able to permit Christmas cards into school from 11th December onwards.

Feast Day of St. John the Evangelist

Children in St. John's House can wear red to school on Friday 18th December to mark the feast day of their saint which will be celebrated during the Christmas break (27th December).

CHRISTMAS MASSES - To give as many parishioners/families as possible the opportunity to celebrate the joy of Christmas, 8 Masses will be said between Christmas Eve and the Feast of the Holy Family on Sunday 27th December as follows:

Christmas Eve Thursday 24th December 5-00pm and 8.30pm
Christmas Day Friday 25th December 8.30am and 10.30am
St Stephens Day - Saturday 26th December. 10.00am
We would particularly like to invite our Altar Servers
and their families to this Mass
Feast of the Holy Family Saturday 26th December 5.00pm
Mass Sunday 27th December 8.30am and 10.30am

Bookings for one Mass only can be made by calling 07377 893208 between the hours of 2pm and 6pm Monday to Friday from November 30th to December 24th. Please be patient as this booking line is manned by one person. We understand you may be disappointed that you cannot attend Mass both Christmas Eve/Day and over the weekend. Please remember that the obligation for Sunday Mass and Holy days of obligation is still suspended. Only those who have booked a place will be able to attend Mass.

Latest advice for parents on coronavirus from the DfE

Click on the following link to the NHS website for information on what to do if you or your child/ren show the main symptoms of Coronavirus. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms

Latest guidance on what to do if you or your child has symptoms of Coronavirus

Praise Assembly Awards

Congratulations to the following children for being chosen for Good Work or for showing the Catholic Virtues this week (Intentional and Prophetic).  Well done to St John's house for gaining the most points this week too.

Class Good Work Catholic Virtues
Reception Georgina Anouska
Year 1 Chloe Isla A
Year 2 Gabriella Oscar
Year 3 Annie Chris and Patrick
Year 4 Esme Zach
Year 5 Chris Lily
Year 6 Fin Emilia

Multi Skills and Archery Club with Mark Bennett

Multi skills will resume this week starting on Monday 7th December 8AM.

Years 1,2 & 3 Multi-Skills - Monday 8am

Years 4,5 & 6 Multi-Skills  - Wednesday 8am

Years 1-6 Archery Club - Friday 8am

Your Sport After School Football Club

After school football will resume this week with Your Sport starting on Monday 7th December.

Year 1 & Year 2 - Monday 3.15-4.15pm

Year 3 & Year 4 - Friday 3.15-4.45pm

Supervised activities to support working parents from RB Gym & Sport - Christmas Camp

Free Virtual After School Sports Club with the Youth Sport Trust

As you may be aware The Youth Sport Trust have taken the step to deliver a free virtual after school club as part of a national response to the second lockdown. The 30-minute club will take place at 5pm each weekday and be led by a different member of the YST's athlete mentor network. The first one aired on Thursday with world no.1 female inline skater and 10-time British Champion Jenna Downing. The After School Sport Club will run for five weeks until Friday 18th December, children and young people can take part live by visiting the YST YouTube channel. - http://www.youtube.com/user/YouthSportTrust.

Aimed mainly at primary-aged children, a different theme has been assigned for each day of the club - Adventure Monday, Tuesday Play, Wild Wednesday, Thinking Thursday and Fun Friday. The YST hope that this will provide support, capacity and inspiration to sit alongside the other great work and offers that are available for schools and children and young people to engage in.

Black Country Health Care 24-7 Support Line for adults and young people

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have just launched a 24-7 support line for adults, older adults, children and young people who require urgent mental health support during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Please don't suffer in silence.  If you are experiencing increased distress or anxiety during these uncertain times, then pick up the phone and speak to one of the specialist mental health professionals who will be able to support you.  Further details and contact information can be found on the flyer within the Covid 19 tab on the school website.  

Our Lady and All Saints - Daily Live streaming of Masses

Due to the arrangments of the national lockdown which came into force yesterday, there will not be any further Class Masses for children in school.  Fr. Philip will livestream daily Masses from OLAS Church at 10am from Tuesday to Friday.  Our school will be watching the Mass on Tuesdays which will be more child-centred.  

Prayer of the Week - Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

 

Virtues Focus - Intentional and Prophetic

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: Intentional in the way they live and use the resources of the earth, guided by conscience; and Prophetic in the example they set to others.

Pope's Intention for December

For a life of prayer

We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.

Emmaus CMAC
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Ofsted

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