Friday 2nd July 2021

In this Sunday’s Gospel, the people who were most familiar with Jesus welcomed him at first. They readily acknowledged his wisdom and his miracles. But they were not prepared to put their faith in him, to go further and see that God was at work in him and so, in the end, they rejected Jesus. 

Although it’s good to admire Jesus, it’s putting our faith in him which helps us to realize that he is the Son of God – the incredible presence of God on earth among us.

If we recognise this and welcome Jesus into our lives, then he has a chance to work among us, to strengthen us and to guide us to do good in the world.

Our final Sacramental celebration will take place tomorrow morning at Our Lady and All Saints Church for our Year 6 children who will be receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you to Fr. Philip, Deacon Tom, Mrs McCole, class teachers, support staff, governors, parishioners, parents and family members who have supported all the children in Years 3, 4 and 6 to receive the Sacraments this term.  A huge amount of work has been conducted behind the scenes to prepare the children, the Church and in ensuring that parents and family members were able to attend.  Even under the current restrictions they were all very special, reverent and prayerful services which truly focused on the significance of the Sacraments.  Please pray for our Year 6 Confirmandi this weekend.

A letter will be sent to all parents on Monday outlining the details for our transition week at St. Joseph's.  A PowerPoint has been created by each teacher which will be uploaded onto the school website to provide parents will some information regarding their child's new class. On Wednesday afternoon, the children will be able to spend some time with their new class teacher, including the opportunity for our new Reception children to spend a short amount of time in their new setting too.  A further announcement by the Government is expected on Monday with regard progress towards Step 4 of the road map. For September, we are hoping that we can return to a single start and finish time rather than a staggered approach and also for our children to be able to work together more as a school community rather than remaining in bubbles.  We will inform parents of any updates accordingly this term and during the summer holidays as further guidance is announced.

A huge thank you for all your support this year. The PTA organised a number of fundraising events this year - Mufti day, Easter egg raffle, Plant sale & Father's Day sale. Altogether we have raised £1097.80. 

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. Mark for gaining the most house points this week.

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.

O Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of that same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Amen.

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: Faith-filled in their beliefs and
hopeful for the future.

Universal intention -Social Friendship

We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.