Friday 26th February 2021

Fr. Philip mentioned in his Homily last Sunday about how our lives can be compared to that of a spiritual Sat Nav to the Lord. Like taking the wrong exit or route on a Sat Nav, we can also be tempted to take the wrong direction in our lives through our actions and decisions.  We make mistakes in our spiritual lives everyday, so we ask God to help us get back onto the right path. Prayer is the number one means by which we can ask God for help on our journey of life. We shouldn't feel downhearted when we feel tempted, it happens to us all everyday. So we ask God to give us the strength during this Lenten season to keep us on the right track. Let us all focus more on prayer, fasting and giving alms (small random acts of kindness) during our journey to Easter this half term. 

In response to the Government's announcement earlier this week that all children and young people from across all phases will be returning to school from Monday 8th March, we have been reviewing our processes and procedures as a School and as part of a Multi Academy Company.  We will continue to maintain 'bubbles' in phases to mitigate risk, which means that the school day will resume with staggered start and finishing times as per the Autumn term.  Children will also continue to use the same entrance and exit points to reduce the congestion and flow of children and parents around the school site.  After School Clubs will also resume from Monday 8th March, with RB Gym and Sport, Mr Bennett and Your Sport. A letter was sent to parents on Thursday on behalf of Emmaus with some further details of the logistics from Monday 8th March.  A further letter from the School will be issued to parents next week, to finalise the logistics before the full opening commences on Monday 8th March. We thank you all for your patience, care and understanding during the national lockdown, and pray that we continue on a positive journey with the easing of measures and restrictions over the coming months.

We are writing this letter to you because there are a few things we think you should know. We are incredibly proud of you. This last year has been exceptionally difficult. You have shown incredible resilience and adaptability. You have been selfless and put the needs of others before your own. You have made so many sacrifices and yet faced the challenges with strength and determination. There is much you’ve been told you’ve lost, including many weeks of your education, but there is much you have gained. You will emerge from this stronger. This may be the greatest challenge you have faced so far but it will not be the last. Next time you will find you have more resources and are better prepared (and even more so the time after that). We are here for you. We know some of you will be worried about what the future holds. We want you to know we are here for you. We know you will need a chance to reconnect with your friends. We know you will need time and space to play and be active. We know you are desperate to get back to your sports/music/art/acting and everything else that is so crucial to your development. We know that you are keen to get back to your academic studies in school and college as well. We know that evenings, weekends and holidays are as important as your time at school. We are committed to ensuring thatyour opportunities are balanced and wherever your passions lie you have the chance to pursue these. We will be here to encourage you, support you, challenge and help you every step of the way. You are the future. You are the future and that future is not written. There are challenges but there always have been and always will be: we know we will get through this together. We have complete faith in you. We want you to know that; more than anything. Do not let us or anyone else tell you what you can or can’t be. We don’t know. We cannot imagine what you will achieve. But we are so excited to see and be a part of it. We hope to see you back in our schools and colleges very soon. Whatever happens next, it will just be another step in your journey.

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.

Lord God, with all our hearts we beseech you: have mercy on your people; spare your people; strengthen all people in the struggle against the havoc of this pandemic. Lord our God, without you we are so weak and our courage so limited. Give us your strength; give us your love; give us wisdom and skill to continue this fight. Spare your people, O Lord we pray. Comfort those who mourn and gather into your kingdom all who have died. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, who died and rose to life, who lives and reigns with you, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pope Francis has proclaimed this year ‘The Year of Joseph’ (8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021)

‘Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.’ Pope Francis (8th December 2020)

Celebrating the life of St Joseph, and calling on him for help, is particularly relevant in this time of universal turmoil when so many are having difficulty finding employment, when we are becoming more aware of how much we owe to so many ordinary, hardworking people, and when our human frailty and mortality are so much in our minds and in the news.

Through the Year of St Joseph, the Church is reminding us that we have a powerful ally in Heaven who, having lived and worked so long in the shadows like so many unsung heroes, is working tirelessly for us and with us in the here and now.

Children 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.

Violence Against Women
We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.