Dear Parents and Carers

It is hard to believe we are a third of the way through the term.  Still so much to do and only a short time to accomplish everything.  Today we celebrate World Teachers Day.  With so many special days throughout the year it can be easy to simply add a day like this to others.  It is a special day however, as teachers play a vital role in the development, education and growth of the students entrusted to their care.  'Entrusted to their care', is a key statement that the teachers at St Joseph's The Strand take very seriously.  It isn't just their academic development that they care about, it is the whole person and their well being that they care about, each and every day.  

I am always humbled by the level of dedication that our staff show towards our students.  The extra time and effort given in good faith for the benefit of students, the level of personalised attention to students needs, and their willingness to give of themselves are hallmarks of our fantastic staff.  This year has seen our students achieve amazing results across all areas of endeavour, and engage in many wonderful opportunities.  The achievements belong to our students but in the background is a member of our staff, planning, supporting, giving of their time or seeking opportunities for our students to showcase their talents.  I am incredibly grateful for all they do to make our school an amazing place, but in particular a place where every student is considered and cared for each day.

Thank you to our dedicated and professional teachers and those that support them in their work.  If you have the opportunity please take time to simply say thank you.

I am very grateful for your patience during drop off and pick up times, especially during the associated building works and the changes to normal routine this impacts upon. I would ask for your continued patience during these times.  With only six weeks remaining I would be very grateful if we could keep the safety of all our families as a priority.  I would remind everyone using the pick-up zone in the afternoon that you should enter the queue via Oxley Street and proceed around to the Fryer Street pick-up area.  Attempting to enter the queue in Fryer Street via the roundabout adds to congestion and the frustration of other drivers. Frustrated drivers make mistakes and this is not something that we want to see during this busy time.  Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Have a great week

Tim

Mission Week

Don’t forget about our Mission Month activities that are running this week. Guess the Number of Lollies in the Jar competition and the Colouring In Competition close on Friday.  

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 having 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.

Sunday’s Gospel

Luke 18:1-8 - Jesus urges his disciples to pray and not lose heart, for God hears and answers prayers.

This is the first of two parables that Jesus tells in Luke 18 about prayer. (The second will be read at Mass next Sunday.) This first parable is a lesson in persistence in prayer. While the parable seems to present prayer as nagging God for what we want, such a reading misses the point. God is not like the judge in the parable, worn down by requests and coerced to respond. The key is found in the description of the judge as corrupt and unjust. Since God can be neither, we must understand Jesus to be saying that if even an unjust judge responds to the persistence of the widow, how much more so will God listen to our prayers. God truly wants to hear our needs and respond generously. It is the final lament of Jesus that gets to the point of the parable. The lesson is about the persistence of the one who prays. God wants us to be like the persistent widow, staying in relationship with God, confident that God hears and answers prayers. Then Jesus laments, “Will such faith be found when the Son of Man comes?” In this lament, Jesus notes how easy it can be for us to lose heart.

Children nag because it works. Parents, like the judge in the parable, often get worn down by the persistence of their children asking for things large and small. Nagging is not a positive trait, to be sure. The confidence and the persistence behind this behaviour, however, confidence in the goodness of the giver and the tenacity to stay in the relationship, are traits worth emulating in our relationship with God.

Read together Luke 18:1-8. Talk about appropriate ways to make needs and desires known to one another and to God in prayer. Recall that God wants to answer our prayers. As a family, offer your needs as prayers of petition to God.

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/29th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-c-sunday-connection

Have a wonderful week

Take Care and God Bless

Amanda

Awards will be presented at Assembly on the 30th October at 2pm

Tuckshop is in need of helpers for next Thursday and Friday - 31st October & 1st November.

If you have any spare time it would be very much appreciated. Please drop in and see Arlene in the Tuckshop.  

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.