Friday 30th April 2021

Saturday 1st May is the feast day of our patronal saint, St. Joseph the Worker.  We look to him as the perfect example of being totally available to God's will. St. Joseph is the role-model for every Christian, as he offers a compelling example of availability to God's call to look after Mary and raise Jesus as his earthly son, of calm in every situation, of total trust founded on a life of supernatural faith, charity, and of great prayer. Joseph, son of David and husband of Mary, we honour you, guardian of the Redeemer, and we adore the Child you named Jesus. Amen.

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus uses an image that would have been familiar to people of his time and he reminds us that we all depend on God for life.  We all make mistakes, but God is loving and patient, and gives us time to grow into the people we were created to be.  God loves us, and wants us to live and grow in him - just like a branch grows on a vine - to be full of God's own energy. Keeping lively contact with Jesus, through prayer, receiving the Blessed Sacrament and in our daily actions, helps us to grow in goodness and to live fruitful family lives, filled with peace, kindness and love.

A reminder that this coming weekend is the first of May's Bank Holiday weekends.  We hope you enjoy the extended weekend with family and friends.

The weekly Wednesday Word is available via the following link:  The Wednesday Word Primary School Resource | Catholic Church

Congratulations to the following children for being chosen for Good Work or displaying the virtues of compassion and loving this week.  The children with have some time with Mr Carry and Ted on Friday afternoon as a thank you for their hard work this week.

A reminder to ensure that your child/ren wear the following kit on their dedicated PE days: school jumper/cardigan over the school PE kit with either plain blue or grey tracksuit bottoms.  

We are looking for someone to join our hardworking Cleaning Team.

The working hours are 2.45pm to 5.45pm Monday to Friday.

If you or anyone you know are interested please contact the school office on 01384 431980 or email info@st-jo-st.dudley.sch.uk for more details and an application form.

Closing date for applications is Friday 14th May 2021.

Parents and carers can also visit www.dudley.gov.uk/coronavirusparents for more information on both symptom and symptom-free testing and the other symptoms residents are now being encouraged to take a precautionary test if they display.

Accessing symptom-free tests

Parents and carers and anyone else living with a school age child or young person are among the priority groups being given access to free home lateral flow testing kits to test themselves.

Information on how to access these can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/rapid-lateral-flow-testing-for-households-and-bubbles-of-school-pupils-and-staff

All are strongly encouraged to have a lateral flow test at a local testing site prior to starting home testing, to know how a test is undertaken. 

Twice weekly testing will help detect hidden asymptomatic cases and help keep pupils and staff safer in school.

Anyone unable to do home testing can go to one of the Dudley lateral flow testing centres. These are at Dudley Leisure Centre, Saltwells Education Centre, with pop-up sessions at Holy Trinity Church Community Centre in Wordsley, Lifecentral Church in Halesowen, St Andrews Church in Sedgley, St James Church in Wollaston and the Salvation Army Church in Lye.There is also testing at more than 30 pharmacies across the borough. For details on where you can get a lateral flow test and to book visit www.dudley.gov.uk/symptom-free-testing

Information and support for parents and carers of children who are learning at home. Supporting your children's remote education during coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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

We have all experienced challenges and difficulties during this pandemic, but sometimes we may need support from someone else or know of someone who may need additional help.  Dudley MBC have created a 'Support for Families' leaflet which signposts local services to parents. We have also included an updated list of support for parents via a range of local and national agencies.  These documents can be found within the Covid 19 tab on the school website landing page.

God our Father, Creator and Ruler of the universe, in every age you call us to use and develop our gifts for the good of others. With St. Joseph as our guide, help us to do the work you have asked and come to the rewards you have promised. Please grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: compassionate towards others, near
and far, especially the less fortunate; and loving by their just actions and forgiving words.

Fundamental Rights
We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-prayer-intention-april-2021-human-rights.html