Friday 1st October 2021

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus shows us that the kingdom of God is open to everybody, to people of all cultures and backgrounds. Jesus puts forward a child as an example of how to enter God’s kingdom. Why a child? Could it be a child’s simplicity or dependency – or a child’s openness to God? 

God wants us to accept him and to trust him always to be there for us. God has a great plan for each of our lives, and we can discover what it is when we are open to God.

The month of October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is due to the fact that the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th, which was instituted to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful. The Rosary is primarily a scriptural prayer, and draws its mysteries from the New Testament and is centred on the great events of the Incarnation and Redemption.

Due to the current restrictions in place at school due to the recent Covid outbreaks, it has been decided to conduct the Autumn term Parents' Evening sessions remotely.  This will either be via Microsoft Teams or a telephone conversation with parents.  You will be able to book a 5 minute time slot via the school website which will be published early next week.  The school intends to then hold a blended approach of face-to-face and remote meetings during the Spring term, however, this will be dependent upon any local or national restrictions due to Covid which may be in place.  Parents' Evening for our Year 6 pupils will take place on Tuesday 12th October (3.30pm-5.30pm) and Wednesday 13th October (4pm-6pm).  For years Reception to Year 5, these sessions will take place a week later on Tuesday 19th October (3.30pm-5.30pm) and Wednesday 20th October (4pm-6pm).  Thank you for your understanding with this matter.

Next Friday (8th October) is an INSET day across our schools within the Emmaus Multi Academy Company.  Children are not required to come into school on this day.

Please ensure that your child brings a jacket/waterproof coat to school each day. We are now in a period of transition from summer to autumn at the moment and want to ensure that your child is well-equipped to play outdoors at break and lunchtimes. A reminder that Key Stage 2 children are also allowed to bring in trainers to school.

St. Joseph's are taking part in the Cauliflower Christmas Project to help raise money for the school in association with the PTA.  Your child will receive an 'Artwork Form' in order to create their Christmas picture.  Parents can then order a variety of gifts with their child's design embossed on the front i.e. cards, wrapping paper, mugs, pack of cards etc. 

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.Luke 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.

From 2nd/3rd of October weekend Mass times are as follows:

Saturday 5.00pm

Sunday 8.30am & 11am

We have a vacancy for a Lunchtime Supervisor , Monday to Friday 12.00-1.25pm. If you are interested or know of anyone who may be interested please contact the school office on 01384 431980 or email info@st-jo-st.dudley.sch.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.

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.

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.

Intention for evangelization - Missionary disciples

We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavour of the Gospel.