Wednesday Week 8, Term 1

St Joseph's Day

St Joseph built his relationships with others on goodness. He looked for the goodness in all he saw around him. We pray through St Joseph our school Patron Saint for guidance and support:

1.      St Joseph was a good man who always did his best. We pray that we can show our own goodness by doing our best in everything we do. Lord Hear Us.

2.      St Joseph trusted in God. We pray that we are able to put our trust in God and to allow ourselves to be open to whatever God asks of us. Lord Hear Us.

3.      St Joseph was a man who sought justice for all. We pray that we find courage to speak up and take action when we see something that is not right. Lord Hear Us.

4.      St Joseph showed patience towards those around him. We pray that we can be more patient during times that we find difficult or frustrating. Lord Hear Us.

5.      St Joseph was an honest man. We pray that we always strive to be honest in what we say and do.  Lord Hear Us.

For Year 5 and Above - St Joseph's Day Mass:

Today we we gather for a whole school Mass on the oval. Receiving communion is the most sacred time of the Mass for Catholics. It is important that we are respectful during this time.

THE EUCHARIST

The Eucharist, or Communion, is the most sacred time of the Mass. It is when we can consume the body and blood of Jesus.

The gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar during the ‘Preparation of the Gifts’, or the Offertory Procession. The ‘Consecration of the bread and wine’ is when the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Priest does this through saying special prayers and blessings.

We then speak the ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ which Jesus taught us.

We say it together to praise God for all that we have been given and to ask God to forgive us the things that we have done wrong.

Next we shake hands with the people around us to share the peace that Christ gives. This is called the ‘Sign of Peace’.

At ‘Communion’ those of us who have made our First Holy Communion, can now move forward to the altar to receive of Body and Blood of Jesus. This brings us closer to God. If you haven't made your First Holy Communion, you will receive a special blessing instead of the bread.

To receive Communion, you place your two hands together in front of you (the hand you write with underneath your other hand). The Eucharistic Minister will hold up the bread (host) and say 'Body of Christ'. Your response is 'Amen'. They will place the bread in your hand, you then step to the side and use your bottom hand to take the piece of bread and eat it. You must eat it straight away, you don't carry it with you back to your seat. Once you return to your seat it is a time of quiet prayer and reflection.

At our St Joseph's Day Mass, Fr Paul will give a special blessing to everyone, so only those who receive the bread need to move out of their seat and come forward. Everyone needs to stay quiet and respectful during this time, using this time to quietly reflect and listen to the songs that are playing.

To finish Mass the ‘Final Blessing’ is spoken. The Priest blesses us and sends us from the gathering to bring Jesus to the people we meet by being loving and kind.