Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we say goodbye to one of our long term staff members.  Monique Fazel will be leaving the Joey’s family as she has accepted a position at the Public Trustee’s Office.  We are incredibly grateful to Monique and thank her for all her years of dedicated work with our students, families and staff.  We will miss Monique greatly and wish her nothing but happiness in her new journey. We are pleased to announce that Mrs Keri Eaton will be replacing Monique for the remainder of 2019.  Keri has done relief work at St Joseph’s throughout this year and is already familiar with the St Joseph’s community. I am sure that you will make her feel welcome when you meet her.

There has been an increasing number of students arriving at school very early.  Please remember that there is no supervision of students until 8am. If you need to drop your child/ren off early please contact OHSC to arrange before school care.  This is a matter of safety for our students. Thank you for your support regarding this. 

Finally, Monday 21st October is a Pupil Free Day.  Our teachers will be engaged in a professional learning and reflective practice day at school while our school officers will be attended a PD with other school officers from across Townsville.  These days are always incredibly valuable for our staff and assist them in continuing to deliver a high level of education for our students.

Have a great week.

Amanda

Mission Week

Yesterday we reflected on Mission Week with a Liturgy led by 3JF.  Next week there will be a range of activities happening for Mission Month which have been organised by our Year 6 Faith and Services Group.  

Running all week will be:

• Guess the Number of Lollies in the Jar competition 
• Colouring In competition

Both of these activities will cost 50c to enter.

On Friday we will have:

• Garage Sale with books, games and toys for sale
• Icy cups for 50c at break times
• Paper Plane throwing which will be 50c
• Soccer Shoot Out which will be 50c to enter

Friday we will also be crazy sock day for Socktober.  We ask that the students wear crazy socks with their school shoes for a gold coin donation.  All money raised will be going to Catholic Missions to support the work that is being done in Ghana.

Rosary

Nearly all of our classes have attended the Rosary with Fr Siby.  We would like to thank Fr Siby for providing our students with the opportunity to experience this devotional prayer.

Sunday’s Gospel

Luke 17:11-19 - Jesus heals 10 lepers, and one, the Samaritan, returns to give thanks.

On Sunday we heard about how Jesus, continuing on his journey to Jerusalem, heals 10 lepers. This story is a lesson about faith and reminds us that faith is sometimes found in unlikely places. Ten people afflicted with leprosy cry out to Jesus. Struck with pity, Jesus heals all 10. However, only one is described as glorifying God and returning to thank Jesus. The one who returns is a Samaritan, a foreigner. In the Jewish circles in which Jesus lived, Samaritans were looked down upon because of the differences between the two communities in their observance of Judaism. It is significant, therefore, that Jesus commends the Samaritan for his faith, which has been his salvation. Throughout Luke's Gospel, faith is found in surprising places.

Another lesson for us in this Gospel has to do with salvation. All 10 of the lepers were given the gift of healing, but in his gratitude to God for this gift, the Samaritan found salvation. Our salvation is found in recognizing the gifts we have been given and knowing to whom we must offer our thanks.

Children fluctuate between moments of deep, heartfelt gratitude and an attitude of entitlement. These fluctuations are normal. Among our tasks as parents and teachers is to help foster the gift of gratitude, particularly gratitude to God for all God's goodness to us.  

Read today's Gospel, Luke 17:11-19. Make a poster showing some of the gifts from God to your family. Display this poster in a prominent place and, as a family, write a prayer of thanksgiving for all of God's goodness to you.

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/sunday-connection

Have a wonderful week!

Take care and God Bless

Amanda

Swimming P-3   

This Friday, our wonderful P-3 students begin their annual Swimming Lessons at Townsville Grammar Pool (North Ward). Lessons will be conducted by qualified instructors from Tobruk Pool every Friday (18/10 - 29/11). Permission notes have been sent home with all of the detailed information required. We trust that this will be an enjoyable and worthwhile initiative. 

Rookies Basketball   

Once again, we will be offering the popular Townsville Basketball Rookies Basketball program at St. Joey's (hall). It will be conducted after school for five weeks on Monday afternoons (3pm - 4pm). If your child is interested in attending, please see the details in the flyers attached.