Friday 2nd March 2018

We start out this step by asking God to give us the grace to recognise our sins. They may well be many. But do not forget to acknowledge the sin of simply turning away, a sin of failing to bother to address a need crying out for help, an injustice waiting to be addressed, a hurt longing to find healing. Pope Francis was once asked: 'Who is Jorge Bergoglia?' He responded: 'I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech. I am a sinner...whom the Lord has looked upon.' We are all sinners, beggars before God's throne of mercy. That is our best hope: to ask, to beseech God for his mercy. This is a crucial part of the 'way of proceeding'.

Since the early years of the twentieth century, children in the Archdiocese of Birmingham have helped raise funds for Father Hudson's Care during Lent. Children use the boxes to save money they would normally spend on sweets and treats, thereby practising abstinence and almsgiving. Money raised through the appeal helps sustain Father Hudson's work with vulnerable people across the Diocese. Mrs Davies, who works for Father Hudson's, will be speaking with the children at this Monday's Gospel assembly.

Parents will be able to complete the questionnaire via the school website. A separate tab has been created on the home page which allows direct access to the survey. Paper copies will also be available for parents who do not have access to the website via an electronic device. Parents will be able to access this survey from next Tuesday onwards. Thank you.

Children and families are invited to the Arts Centre to find out about learning a musical instrument. We hope that you will encourage children who have expressed an interest to come along and try a range of instruments/meet teachers. This is an excellent opportunity for schools with whole class programmes to provide an opportunity for students to think about learning next year.

Dudley Term Dates for 2018-19 are available on the School Website under the 'Term Dates' tab.

The tennis coaching team at Stourbridge Tennis Club will be running an Easter Camp from 11th until 13th April. There are options for full day or half days and even an early drop-off. For further details please contact Kirk Woodhall (07792 755567) or Grant Chapman (07800 936550). We are also looking to start an after school tennis club next term on a Wednesday which will be led by Grant. Further details will be available shortly.

Congratulations to both the Lower and Upper Key Stage Teams who took part in the preliminary round of the Dudley Inter School Maths competition earlier this week. Both teams successfully qualified as runners-up to the reach the finals of this competition which will take place later this academic year. Well done to all our mathematicians!

Pupils at St. Joseph's School are growing to be intentional in the way they live and use the resources of the earth, guided by conscience; and prophetic in the example they set to others. Intentional means planning our actions and choosing to live how God wants us to. Prophetic means spreading the word of God through how we live our lives.

Dear Lord Jesus, please fill us with enthusiasm to love you, to serve you, and to help others to know you. Amen.

Say "No" to Corruption - That those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.