St Joseph's Newsletter T2 Wk4
26th May 2021
Week 4 Term 2
Principal’s Piece
Kia Ora Koutou
Tahi i te haerenga
Together on the journey
Last week, I spent two days in Rotorua with the Principals and DRS’ of the Diocese for our annual Hui. It was a great opportunity for all of us to come together in the same space post-Covid 19. At the conference Bishop Steve shared with us the Diocesan focus for the next 5 years - Together on the journey. Bishop talked about how we are all on a journey with each of us being at different places and stages on this journey. The journey reminds us that faith is not a formula. Each of us, and the Church herself, continue to grow in our understanding of Christ and his call to become his missionary disciples. A defining part of our journey of faith is that Christ is in relationship, not only with us, but with all the people He holds in His heart. The role of the teachers in our school is to walk alongside our students as they journey towards Christ.
Bishop Steve also launched the new strategic plan for the Diocese on Saturday. For more details go to www.cdh.org.nz/strategic-pastoral-plan-overview
As we come into the cold season please note that we are still at Alert Level 1 and if your child is feeling unwell they must stay at home. If they are showing symptoms of one or more of the following:
• Cough
• Fever
• Sore Throat
• Runny Nose
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Temporary loss of smell
You are advised to ring Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or their GP. It is a timely reminder to continue to follow good hygiene practices and to act with caution.
There are a few events that we are starting to pop on the calendar eg: Museum Trips, Syndicate Masses, tennis lessons, author visit and winter sports days. Keep an eye on the school calendar for all of this and more happening this term. The calendar is on our School App and the School Website.
Kia manaaki te Atua koutou katoa
Grant Stuart
PRINCIPAL
Gospel Reflection
Pentecost Sunday, Cycle B
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Gospel Reading
John 20:19-23
Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Background on the Gospel Reading
The season of Easter concludes with today’s celebration, the feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today’s first reading. The account in today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Yet the event in John’s Gospel takes place on Easter Sunday. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts. It is to we know that after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an Advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.
In the context of the feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ act of breathing the Holy Spirit upon the apostles mirrors God’s act of breathing life into Adam. In fact, both the Greek and Hebrew words for “spirit” can also be translated as “breath.” This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiveness of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.
Value Focus
Pentecost
Pentecost Marks The Official End Of The Easter Season, The Liturgical Colour Of Pentecost Is Red. This is based on the original Pentecost and the Holy Spirit appearing as flames. In my experience as a life long Catholics, Pentecost is the biggest day where Catholics try to actually wear the liturgical colour to Mass. Expect to see plenty of people wearing red. Pentecost Is The Birthday Of The Church.
Acts 2:1-2
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.”
Acts 2:3
“Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.”
May is the Month of Mary
News
Young Vinnies Bake Sale
Thank you to all of our families that supported the Young Vinnie Bake Sale.
An amazing $480.00 was raised and will go along way to help make up the care packages for the homeless.
Here are some images of a few of the Young Vinnies putting together the care packages for the homeless dinner this coming Saturday.
We were able to put together 21 packs in total that included items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, a facecloth, razors, comb, deodorant and shampoo.
The students loved undertaking this ministry for the homeless and look forward to helping our community again.
Waikato Lit Quiz
Here are some pictures from the Kids Lit Quiz held at Southwell School with more than 50 teams competing. Thanks for representing us so well!
Notices
Teacher Only Day
Please remember that there will be a Teacher Only Day on Tuesday 8th June.
School will be closed on this day.
Drop Off and Pick Ups
Drop Off - Students are not allowed on site before 8am as there is no supervision available.
Pick Up - Students are to be picked up by 3.15pm as the teachers have meetings after school and can not provide supervision.
Students that are still at school after 3.15pm will be booked in to SKIDS and charges will apply.
Parking
The school is actively working with the Hamilton CIty Council and the Police to ensure that we can keep our students safe.
The Police have advised us to supply registration numbers and details of the offence and they will send a written notice.
Young Vinnies
Sports News
Hockey
This year we are proud to have one Year 1&2 team and two Year 3&4 teams representing St Joseph’s in Hockey. The teams started the season a few weeks ago and are enjoying the fun atmosphere down at the hockey turf on Saturday mornings.
Rugby - Gwynne Shield
Under 57kg Gwynne Shield representative rugby is back in 2021 to celebrate 100 years of Waikato Rugby.
This is a great opportunity for players to represent Hamilton East in a tournament coming up in the Term 2 Holidays.
Also, a great way to make friends that they will connect with again at High School. I have been involved with these teams over the years and I strongly suggest attending the trials this Sunday.
- Trial/Muster: This Sun 30th May, 9.30am at Swarbrick Park, Frankton.
- Tournament dates: Sat 10th July to Sun 18th July, Memorial Park Cambridge.
- Students DO NOT have to play rugby for a club, they are welcome from any sporting background.
- Boys and girls welcome. Teams will be mixed gender.
- Players must be 57kg or under this Sunday. Dieting is strongly not encouraged.
- Students must be Under 13 years of age as of Jan 1 2021
- Tournament date: Sun 11th July to Sun 18th July, Memorial Park Cambridge
Your school is in the WASPS catchment area, which includes these schools:
Peachgrove, St. Josephs, Newstead, Marion, Matangi, Knighton Normal School, Southwell, Tamahere, Hamilton East, Te Ara Rima (5th Avenue), Eureka, Silverdale, Tōku Māpihi Maurea.
Hope to see you there. Contact me with any further questions you may have.
Elliot Tiffany
Physical Education & Sports Department
Southwell School
elliot.tiffany@southwell.school.nz
07 855 2089 ext 843
PO Box 14015, Five Cross Roads, Hamilton 3252
PTFA News
PTFA Friday Pizza Lunch
The price is $2 per slice!
Cheese, Hawaiian & Pepperoni - Gluten free also available.
Order in the school library or via mykindo:
Entertainment Book
Community Notices
CENTENARY
St Patrick's Catholic School, Te Awamutu
22nd and 23rd October
Powhiri, school tours, archives, mix and mingle, dinner and dance.
Come and share in the memories!
Register online at www.stpatta.co.nz or phone the school office (07) 8714669
2021 Term Dates
Term dates for 2021 are:
Term 1: Tuesday 2nd February - Friday 16th April
Term 2: Monday 3rd May - Friday 9th July
Term 3: Monday 26th July - Friday 1st October
Term 4: Monday 18th October - Thursday 16th December
The Teacher Only Days are:
Term 2: Tuesday 8 June (Week 5)
Term 3: Monday 30 August (Week 6)
Term 4: Tuesday 26 October (Week 2)