St Joseph Sacramental Program Enrolment

The 2025 Sacramental Program for St Joseph’s Parish is now open and the first sacrament to be celebrated is Reconciliation. Please enrol your child using the link below for all Sacraments.

Enrolment for Sacraments

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First Reconciliation Program Dates – for Year 3 and older who are Baptised

• 1st Parent/Child Session: Tuesday 4 March 2025 5.30-6.30pm in the St Joseph's Parish Centre.
• 2nd Parent/Child Session: Wednesday 12 March 2025 5.30-6.30pm in the St Joseph's Parish Centre.
• Student Retreat Wednesday 25 March 2025 School Hours (9am to 3pm).
• First Reconciliation Sacrament Wednesday 26 March 2025 6pm in the St Joseph's Parish Church.

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First Holy Communion / Eucharist - Year 4 and older who have made their Reconciliation

• In June 2025 (please see link above for more details)

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Confirmation - Year 6 and older who have made their First Holy Communion

• In August/ September 2025 (please see link above for more details)

For more information, please email.

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Pope Francis

The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome. He serves as the head of the Vatican City State and is responsible for guiding the Church's teachings, doctrine, and global outreach.

Our current Pope, Francis, became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, making history as the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope. He is known for his emphasis on humility, social justice, environmental issues, and a more inclusive approach to Church teachings.

As many of you may have heard in the news Pope Francis has been unwell. Here at school, we have been praying for his peace and good health in class. You may like to pray the following prayer at home as a family as well.

We thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Ash Wednesday 5 March 2025

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and reflection leading up to Easter. It is a significant day in our school calendar, where students will attend Mass and receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance and a reminder of our connection to God. Students will be encouraged to reflect on how they can show kindness, compassion, and generosity towards those less fortunate than themselves during the Lenten season.

Parents are welcome to join the school community at 9:15am in the St Joseph’s Church for Ash Wednesday.

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Upcoming Key Dates

27^th February – 6 Lime and 2 Yellow Class Mass 9:15am

5^th March – Whole school – Ash Wednesday Mass 9:15am

11^th March - 6 Silver and 2 Magenta Class Mass 9:15am

18^th March – Year 3 Class Mass 9:15am

19^th March – St Joseph Feast Day Mass 9:15am & opening of St Joseph’s own Holy Door

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With the Holy Spirit

Kirstie Buckley

Religious Education Coordinator

kirstie.buckley@cg.catholic.edu.au

These past two weeks at Defence Kids Club have included a batch of fairy bread making, and making purple poppies to remember War Animal - Purple Poppy day.

We are also enjoying the chance to do some creative writing and art work as a group of our older students work on submitting entries into the upcoming Finding Freedom Competition.

Have you seen the book Anzac Ted at the library? This book was a donation by our departing 2024 Defence families and is a beautifully illustrated story by Belinda Landsberry. Anzac Ted might look scary – but there’s more to this battered old bear than meets the eye! This is a story about the Anzac spirit and how, through courage, loyalty and love, a child’s teddy bear helped to bring our soldiers home.

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Resources

Invictus Australia - Defence Community Sports Expo - Tuggeranong ACT

Come along to the ACT Defence Community Sports Expo on 22nd March. 11am - 3pm at the Tuggeranong Archery Club, Greenway.

So many sports all in one place! Join Invictus Australia for a thrilling family sports day. Come and try archery, pickleball, indoor rowing, wheelchair sports and many more. Held in collaboration with organisations passionate about the Defence community. There will be face painting, fairy floss and fun for the whole family. This is a free activity for the Defence community. To find out more or to register your interest visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/defence-community-sports-expo-tuggeranong-act-tickets-1115114660969?aff=oddtdtcreator 

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Gungahlin Defence Families Play Group
Thursdays 9:30-11:30am Nicholls Community House, 30 Kelleway Ave, Nicholls Age: 0-5 Cost: $4

The Gungahlin Defence Families Playgroup is a relaxed and friendly playgroup held in Nicholls, Canberra. It caters to both Defence and civilian families with children from newborn to preschool age. The playgroup provides a supportive environment for parents and kids to connect, play, and socialise. This event is FREE, but please reserve your ticket to secure your spot! https://GDFPwelcome.eventbrite.com.au
If you’re interested, you can find more information on our Facebook group or visit the ACT Playgroups Association page for details. Email: gungahlindfp@gmail.com

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Have a lovely week.

Lisa Bauer

Defence Support Mentor

lisa.bauer@cg.catholic.edu.au

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Hi Parents and Families,

The start of the term has been very busy already which is fantastic! Thank you to the volunteers that have been coming in every week to help keep up with all the lunches.

The Snack Shack works with the St Joseph's Change Makers to make us more sustainable. We want that to continue, while reducing unnecessary costs of replacing items used for lunch orders.

Can you please remind your children when they receive a lunch order to place their containers and bags in the correct places and not in the garbage bin.

The red and pink tubs are for the dirty containers, cups, spoons and forks.

(These are washed and reused)

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The pink wheelie pin is for the empty brown bags the lunch orders come in.

(We shred these for the compost, garden beds and chickens)

The white bin is for foil only. 

(When you have enough to put in a large ball it can be recycled) 

Everything else goes in the bin! 

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Julie-Anne

sjo.canteen@gmail.com 

Congratulations to the Week 4 award recipients: 

Happy birthday to these students who celebrated their birthday this week: