Friday 24th September 2021

This Sunday's Gospel is a reminder that, just like Jesus, we can rejoice in God's goodness - wherever it is found. Our Catholic schools are diverse and enriching communities, founded by people with a desire to serve God and to help our children to be the best they can be. One of St. Joseph's School Rights for both children and adults alike, is to be the person God wants them to be. Parents, school and parish working together help our children grow in goodness, and unite all of us, enriching and enhancing the life of our school community. St Basil the Great reminds us, "Each person, according to their ability, should be a pattern of goodness to others." By showing small acts of kindness (goodness) each day, we can show to others that Jesus is living through us.  A smile or hello can make the difference to someone's day.

You will have received a number of letters this week regarding the confirmation of positive Covid cases at school.  We would like to assure parents that the school is taking all the necessary action and is in communication with the Local Public Health Protection Team to manage the outbreak at the moment.  Further information can be found within the 'Covid' section on the school website, including the school's Infectious Disease Risk Assessment and Outbreak Management Plan.  Please do not send your child to school if they show any of the key symptoms of Coronavirus - loss of sense of taste or smell, a continuous cough or a temperature of 38 degrees.  This information can also be found within the letters circulated earlier this week.  Please support the school in our management of this outbreak by socially distancing when dropping off and/or collecting your child/ren.  Further restrictions may have to be implemented but this will be a decision by Public Health working closely with the school.

Congratulations to the following children for being chosen by their class teachers for either Good Work or displaying our School Virtues (Eloquent and Truthful) this week.    Well done also to St.John's for gaining the most house points over the last fortnight.

If your child is in KS2 and interested in music lessons at school delivered by the DPA please click on the above link for more details.

You are all welcome to join us at Our Lady's & All Saints Church.

Weekend Mass times are as follows:

Saturday 5.00pm

Sunday 8.30am & 10.30am

From Sunday 3rd October the time of 10.30am Mass will change to 11.00am.

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.

The Wednesday Word can be accessed via following link: The Wednesday Word Primary School Resource | Catholic Church.  Please go through this with leaflet with your child so that they become more familiar and understand the focus of the Gospel each week.

Our Harvest prayer this year is for all those who dedicate their lives to protect God's creation. We pray that God may walk beside them. We also pray that we may have the courage, hope and grace to be guardians of our common home in our own ways.

Whether you are gathered with your parish in church or online, or by yourself, we can still join together in prayer.

Walk beside us, Lord,
in the cool of the day,
in the garden you have created
as our common home.

Walk beside us, Lord,
as the cries of the forest
pierce the dawn,
and flames rip through
our common home.

Grant us courage, Lord,
as we walk beside all those
who struggle to protect
our common home.

Grant us hope, Lord,
and the vision to walk dark paths
in the light of a single sunbeam.

Grant us grace, Lord,
to put the flourishing of all people 
and the wonder of your creation 
at the heart of all we do, as we strive to be guardians 
of our common home. 

St Francis, pray for us. 

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be eloquent and truthful in what they say of themselves, the relations between people, and the world.

Universal Intention – An environmentally sustainable lifestyle

We pray that we all will make courageous choices for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, rejoicing in our young people who are resolutely committed to this.