Small but mighty

In worship this week, we look ahead to the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) where Jesus speaks to a crowd in parables about the nature of the Kingdom of God. He helps them to discern the commonality between seeds that shoot and grow (all the while we are sleeping) and the growth of God's Kingdom in our hearts and in our world. God is hard at work whether we can see it or not.

Jesus explains that faith, even the tiniest amount of it, can change our lives: God works with us to help turn the smallest kindness or mercy into the building blocks of his Kingdom. In the same way, the mustard tree begins life as the smallest of all seeds and yet grows into the largest of all shrubs; so large that birds shelter and make their home in it. We come to understand this week that none of us is too small to make a difference and no small act of goodness ever goes to waste.

B - 11th Ordinary

June ‘Right of the Month’ and ‘Wellness Warrior Challenge’ is:

Article 22: You have the right to special protection and help if you are a refugee. A refugee is someone who has had to leave their country because it is not safe for them to live there.

During this month we celebrate World Refugee Week 14th - 20th June. This day honours the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. Did you know the following people were refugees?

Freddie Mercury – Lead singer of the band Queen, fled to England from Zanzibar in 1964.

Rita Ora – Singer, came to the UK as a refugee from Kosovo as a baby.

Judith Kerr – Children’s writer, “The Tiger who Came to Tea” “When Hitler stole Pink Rabbit” was a German-Jewish refugee.

Albert Einstein – One of the world’s most famous scientists was a German-Jewish refugee.

You may like to think about any refugees you know, or how you can support the current refugee crisis. Lots of refugees are separated from their family and friends, why not take some time to catch up with a friend or family member you do not see as often? Go out for a walk or catch up over hot chocolate - talking is great for your mental health!

My name is not refugee.MOV

Journeying with St Paul

We're considering this week how even the smallest person with the tiniest amount of faith can change lives. St Paul is a perfect example - a man who grew from no faith in Christ at all to the most famous evangelist of all time. Year 4 have been studying his life and work.

St Paul's journey was fraught with many trials and challenges. The missions he sought to fulfil were demanding and dangerous but help to describe how even a single person with a tiny seed of faith can build God's kingdom on earth.

When I grow up...

In Witness Worship this week, Mrs Barrett and Mrs Eadie introduce us to Baruani Ndume, a former child refugee who set up a radio programme called 'Children for Children' (or Sisi kwa Sisi). This radio programme encouraged refugee children to speak out about their concerns and promoted a child's right to be educated. Baruani Ndume reached out to thousands of tiny people and inspired them to reach their goals in life!

Just like the tiny mustard seed that grew into the largest of shrubs, Mrs Eadie and Mrs Barrett share the growth of Baruani, the aspirations of the children of St Joseph's and also encourage us to think about what actions we can take today to help us grow spiritually.

"Every child should look towards a bright future."

B - 11th Ordinary Witness Assembly

Celebrating Reconciliation

As children in Year 3 and above prepare to receive their First Holy Communion in the coming weeks, they first encounter God in another Sacrament - Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the meeting point where God forgives our sins and reconciles us with the community.

We heard a beautiful testimony on the power of the reconciliation experience from Aurélien this week, who has given us permission to share his story:

On the evening after his first reconciliation, Aurélien told his mum that God has spoken to him in the church with these words, "You are very brave, you have done very well today, I want you to continue to pray and pray more in your prayer place until you come to heaven." - Wow, what a beautifully reassuring message.

The day before his reconciliation, Aurélien had set up his prayer place in his room and he was astounded that God has spoken about this - ‘God knows my prayer place?!’ - Of course He does.

After his first reconciliation, Aurélien said, 'I did it! It was really good. '

Nursery's 100

After hearing about other people who were doing a "100 Challenge" in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore, the Nursery Team decided it was their turn. Mrs Kelly heard how he loved spending time at the beach and building sandcastles. Which then gave her the idea of building 100 sandcastle in our giant sandpits.

The children all designed flags which they placed on the top. Even the staff got involved! The 100th sandcastle is the largest one (with a photograph of Sir Captain Tom Moore on the top). The children have raised over £100 in sponsorship!

Of course after the sandcastles were all finished off, we had great fun knocking them all down! Nursery celebrated the achievement with a special little cake.

Being Great in 3P

In this week's Class Assembly, St Peter's Class teach us what it means to become GREAT. We learn that we are all called for greatness; we are all asked to live a life that will bring about the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. However, our journeys are fraught with obstacles and 3P show us how we must grow and change in order to overcome the challenges we face.

Just like the small mustard seed in this week's Gospel, we have a lifetime of growth ahead of us: physically, mentally, spiritually. Engaging with that journey and learning lessons along the way is a great opportunity.

Thanks for this week's worship 3P - you're great!

Greatness assembly 3P

038 Friday 11 June.MOV

An Emergency with Fred!

And now, if you're all snuggled up and ready for bed, it's time for a sausage emergency with Fireman Fred and Mrs McOnegal.

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