Newsletters

Friday 19th November 2021

 

The children all looked wonderful today in their blue outfits. Thanks to your generosity we raised £138 for Afghan refugees.

Friends of St Josephs have done an incredible job in sourcing amazing prizes for the Christmas raffle, so far they have :

Voucher for Envers 

£50 cash donation from Friends 

£150 funky bed voucher

Hamper

Wine

Minion set

Gift from uncommon nonsense.

Gift from Annly 

Bodyshop goodies

1 hour Teeth whitening worth £90 with White Smiles with Sam @white_smiles_with_sam

This week's language legend is Ezekiel Y4 for always giving his best at French and asking interesting questions. 

COVID -19 UPDATE 

We are currently working closely with national and local Public Health teams and are following guidance from them, in an effort to continue to manage the transmission of the virus.

Please can I ask for your direct help by doing the following:

  • If someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 please ensure that ALL household members have a PCR test (whether they have symptoms or not). You can access a PCR test via: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test 
  • If anyone in your household is symptomatic (has a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) they should have a PCR test and if your child is unwell, they should not go into school. Please access a COVID-19 test via: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test 
  • Everyone in your household should frequently wash their hands and use hand sanitiser.

After much consideration and discussions with schools in our locality, we have made the decision that all Advent performances, shall once again be recorded and  shared with you virtually, further information shall follow soon.

 Hopefully in this way we can continue to keep everyone safe and can all enjoy a lovely Christmas with our families and loved ones.

 

 

A Tradition Begins

A popular Advent tradition among both Catholics and Christians is that of the Advent Wreath.  It is a simple but beautiful way to capture the meaning and symbolism of Advent.  The tradition of using an Advent Wreath originated in pre-Christian times.  People would light candles during the winter in the absence of the sun.  Sometimes there was one candle per day and in some cases the candles were placed on a wreath.  During the Middle Ages, Christians adapted the wreath to serve as a preparation for Advent.  During the 1600s, the Advent Wreath had become a formal Advent tradition.

More Than Meets the Eye

The Advent Wreath, as the name somewhat implies, is a circle having no beginning and no end.  This symbolises the fact that God also has no beginning and no end.  It can also remind us of the unending love of God for us that brought Jesus to earth to save us from our sins so that we might in turn have eternal life in Heaven!  The circle also reminds us of the immortality of our souls.

Eternity is now and the Advent Wreath can help us understand in some small way the great part we have in the story of salvation.  Christ’s coming is not an event isolated only in the past or of the future because He is still ever present in our world today.

The Advent Wreath is traditionally made using evergreens which last throughout the winter.   Using fresh evergreens to make the wreath had great significance because Christ is the way, the truth, and the LIFE!  He came to give us life and fresh branches are an excellent symbol of life and hope.

Other materials can also be used: Holly leaves and berries represent the crown of thorns and the Blood of Christ; Holly and pine represent immortality and an English legend says that the cross of Christ was made out of holly; Laurel reminds us of victory over trials and sufferings; Cedar calls to mind strength and healing; and pine cones symbolises the Resurrection.

Next week, we shall be extremely busy at St Josephs, making sure that each class has a beautiful Advent wreath, that is ready to be blessed by Father Mark.

Let There Be Light

Each Advent Wreath contains four candles, one for every week of Advent.  The candles provide a strong contrast between dark and light.  Jesus is the light of the world that came down to dispel the darkness that exists in our hearts and in the world because of the darkness of sin.  Each week, a new candle is lighted gradually dispelling more and more of the darkness as we draw ever closer to the coming of Christ at Christmas.  By the final week of Advent, all four candles are lit reminding us that the time to rejoice has finally arrived!

The candles on the Advent Wreath are three violet ones and one rose one – exactly the same as the colours of the four weeks of Advent.  Some Advent Wreaths also contain a fifth white candle symbolising purity – the Christ Candle – that can be lit during the Christmas Season.

Special Meaning

During the first week we light the Prophet’s Candle as we focus on the virtue of hope.  This week is a time to acknowledge that Jesus is coming.  We should begin preparing our hearts to welcome Him at Christmas.

The second week of Advent is a time to practice the virtue of faith as we light the Bethlehem Candle.  We should call to mind the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.  When they arrived there was no room at the inn – no room for Jesus.  It is a time to continue drawing closer to Christ so that when He comes He may find a home in our hearts.

On Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate joy and light the Shepherd’s Candle.  On Christmas night the Angels appeared to the shepherds and brought them, as the Bible says, “news of great joy!”

The final week of Advent is a time of peace as we light the Angel’s Candle.  We should be mindful of the Angels’ announcement of, “Peace on earth, good will to men!”

Blessing the Advent Wreath

This is such an exciting part of our school celebrations and marks the beginning of this special time of year. Father Mark shall be visiting us on Friday the 26th of November to bless each of our class wreaths.

“As We Await the Blessed Hope…”

These words, said during the Communion Rite, state clearly the meaning of Advent enshrined in the Advent Wreath.  As we light the candles we should be grateful for the coming of Christ who came to save us from the darkness of sin and death so that we might have eternal life.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.”  Isaiah 9:1

Hope in Jesus

I trust that Gods love has no end and that He is at work in my life and in the world.

This week in assembly the children continued to explore the virtue of hope.

Word: Luke 18:35-43 - Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

As Jesus was coming near Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the road, begging. When he heard the crowd passing by, he asked, “What is this?” “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. He cried out, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!” The people in front scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David! Have mercy on me!” So Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,  “What do you want me to do for you?” “Sir,” he answered, “I want to see again.” Jesus said to him, “Then see! Your faith has made you well.” At once, he was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving thanks to God. When the crowd saw it, they all praised God.

Reflection : During the reading, the blind man had hope in Jesus, he was confident that Jesus could and would heal him. Despite people telling him not to shout out, the Blind man had faith. Even though he couldn’t see Jesus, he had faith – we cannot see Him either, but we have faith and hope in Jesus. 

 Heavenly Father, help us to have hope, trust that You will always be with us, especially when we feel that we are in darkness. Shine a light to guide our path.

Amen.