In this Sunday’s Gospel, we read about how a woman’s faith was greatly rewarded. Jesus revealed the wonderful and extraordinary power he had received from his Father, by healing this woman in a remarkable way. Putting our faith in Jesus helps us to know God as our loving Father. This transforms how we see the world and can bring healing to us too; it can free us from anxiety and give us confidence and inner strength. Faith is one of life’s greatest blessings. Pope Francis reminds us, “To live by faith means to put our lives in the hands of God, especially in our most difficult moments.”
Thank you to Fr. Philip, Deacon Tom, our school staff, volunteers and parents who supported last weekend's First Holy Communion with our Year 4 children. Even under the current Covid restrictions, it was still a very special, reverent and momentous occasion which really focused on the children receiving Jesus for the first time. We pray for our Year 3 children who will be receiving this Sacrament at Our Lady and All Saints on Saturday morning. Parents and parishioners can watch the Masses through the livestream on the OLAS website.
Mrs Chamberlain, our photographer, will in school once again this coming Monday morning. The children can enter school via the main entrance wearing their First Holy Communion attire, bringing with them their PE kits for their session with Mr Jones later on in the day.
Our final Sacramental celebration will take place next Saturday for our Year 6 Confirmandi, who will be receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit celebrated by Fr. Philip. These children will have a special lunch on the Friday before and meet with Fr. Philip to talk with him about their preparations to receive this Sacrament. Please pray for our Year 6 children too.
Well done to all our children for participating in our thematic approach to National School Sport Week this year. The Sports Days held in each class still enabled the competitive element of the School Games programme to continue and allowed the children to work collectively as part of their 'house' team. Congratulations to St. Matthew's House who won the overall competition from the points collated together from each class. Thank you also to Mr Ford and Mr Wolfe for supporting each event throughout the week.
Congratulations to the following children who have been chosen for good work and showing the Catholic virtues (Faith-filled and Hopeful) this week. Well done also to St. Luke for gaining the most house points this week.
Year | Good Work | Catholic Virtues |
Reception | Bethan | Elisa |
Year 1 | Isla A | Charlotte |
Year 2 | Emily | Jack |
Year 3 | Riley | Whole class |
Year 4 | Hattie | Sofia |
Year 5 | Noah | Lauren |
Year 6 | Phoebe | Violet |
Year | Day 1 | Day 2 |
Reception | Wednesday | Friday |
1 | Thursday | Friday |
2 | Monday | Thursday |
3 | Monday | Friday |
4 | Monday | Friday |
5 | Tuesday | Wednesday |
6 | Tuesday | Wednesday |
The weekly Wednesday Word is available via the following link: The Wednesday Word Primary School Resource | Catholic Church
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.
Lord Jesus, by this Holy Communion you have come to your home. I want to say thank you with all my heart for making your home in me. Amen.
Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: Faith-filled in their beliefs and
hopeful for the future.
The beauty of marriage
Let us pray for young people who are preparin for marriage with the support of a Christian community: may they grow in love, with generosity, faithfulness and patience.