Friday 22nd November 2019

There are many reasons to celebrate Mass together this coming weekend.  First of all, our Year 6 children will formally enrol onto the Confirmation programme at Mass on Saturday evening at 5pm.  This is a wonderful occasion to support and give thanks for our children who are embarking on their journey of preparation. This weekend is also the end of the liturgical year, which culminates in the feast of Christ the King.  In Sunday's Gospel, the leaders, soldiers and the people mock Jesus as God's Chosen One and as king.  Jesus' Kingship is not one of military or political power, but one of love and mercy.  Jesus forgave those who crucified them.  He also showed mercy to the criminal who was sorry and called him to share in his kingdon - an offer Jesus also makes us today.  Pope Francis reminds us that, "In life we all make many mistakes.  Don't be afraid to ask God for forgiveness.  God is pure mercy."  Each one of us receives mercy as a gift from God - it is a gift which we are called to share with others. 

The Mass of Enrolment for our Year 6 children and parents will take place at Our Lady and All Saints on Saturday 23rd November at 5pm. Please come along and support the children as they prepare to start their journey of preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 26th January 2020 at 1pm. 

Our Year 3 children will be helping our school community prepare for the season of Advent at their class assembly on Thursday 28th November starting at 9.10am.  Our Year 3 parents are very welcome to attend.

The PTA are producing 2020 calendars featuring a photograph of the children whose birthdays fall on each month. Perfect Christmas gifts for family members. Calendars are priced at £6.50 each or 2+ at £6 each. If you have not returned your order/consent form or require another one please contact office. To include your child's photograph on the calendar we require your consent.Payment by either cash or cheques made payable to St. Joseph's PTA. Please support your St. Joseph's PTA, all monies raised goes to enriching the school lives of our children. If you would be interested in joining the PTA or volunteering at future events please contact the school office. 

This Advent sees the beginning of an important year in the Catholic Church of England and Wales: A Year of the Word.  As the Church's focus turns to Year A, St. Matthew's Gospel, we are asked to consider the many ways in which God speaks to us: through the Bible, through Prayer and through other people. To launch this special year in our Archdiocese, Archbishop Bernard Longley will celebrate Mass at St. Chad's Catherdral on Saturday 30th November - the Vigil of the First Sunday of Advent. Everybody is welcome.

A letter from the Principal at Hagley Catholic High School, Mr Hodson, is available on the school website within the Key Information page under the folder Letters.  The purpose of the letter is to notify parents of a proposed change to uniform at Hagley School. 

Please bring any items into school outlined below so that we can pass on these essentials to our brothers and sisters in need.  Thank you.

FOOD SHORTAGES: FRUIT JUICE (1L cartons), TINNED FRUIT, COOKING SAUCES, 1L CARTONS UHT MILK, SMALL JARS COFFEE, TINNED POTATOES, INSTANT MASH, TINNED MEAT, BISCUITS, TINNED READY MEALS (e.g. MACARONI CHEESE, VEG CURRY), TINNED FISH, JAM/MARMALADE, RICE PUDDING.

NON-FOOD SHORTAGES: TOOTHPASTE, TOILET ROLLS, SINGLE TOOTHBRUSHES
SHAVING FOAM, SHOWER GEL, DEODORANT, SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER, WASHING UP LIQUID

Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to grow in the virtue of mercy - to be open to receiving your mercy and showing mercy to others.  Amen.

Pupils at St. Joseph’s are growing to be: Attentive to their experience and to their vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices.

Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Near East: That a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together.