In the last Newsletter I wrote briefly about this year being a year dedicated to St Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father and Patron of the Universal Church. I thought today I would expand upon what this means for the Catholic family.

In a recent Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. By way of honouring Saint Joseph and acknowledge his 150 years as Father of the Universal Church, Pope Francis declared 2021 the Year of Saint Joseph.

I have included a link below to a beautiful article written about the Apostolic Letter and Pope Francis’ reflection on the characteristics of Saint Joseph.  The article includes a section on the happiness of Saint Joseph.

“Happiness for Joseph involved a true gift of self: “In him, we never see frustration, but only trust,” writes Pope Francis. “His patient silence was the prelude to concrete expressions of trust.” Joseph stands out, therefore, as an exemplary figure for our time, in a world that “needs fathers,” and not “tyrants”; a society that “rejects those who confuse authority with authoritarianism, service with servility, discussion with oppression, charity with a welfare mentality, power with destruction.”

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html 

As a teacher, and as a parent, the need to show children and young people that there is an alternative to the motto of ‘self-first and only’ is so important.  Sometimes the attitude that giving to others or being of service is somehow ‘less than’ or weak appears to be growing.  Joseph is a clear reminder of the strength that comes from a place of selflessness and dedication to another.

Throughout the year and in the last few weeks of May, a month traditionally dedicated to Mary, the College will be reflecting on Joseph and Mary both as Jesus’ loving, dedicated parents, but also as role models for Christians and good people everywhere. This morning the staff were blessed with a wonderful meditation on the “Hail Mary” led by Mr Robert Wales. Part of the prayer included the following intentions,

“Mary was the Mother of Jesus.  May we also bring Jesus into the world for others.

Mary lived a life pleasing to God. May we do God’s will in all things.

Mary was a person of courage. May we do what we know is right.”

Our Catholic tradition blesses us with inspirational role models who help us to see what is possible and who can present to us an alternative to the “me, me me” narrative to which we are all so often exposed.  

First Friday of the Months Soup Night

A reminder that on the first Friday of the Month, St Bernard’s Parish is hosting a soup night.  The evening will have a short reflection on Saint Joseph’s life and character.  Following this, complimentary soup and conversation are to be shared and everyone is most welcome.  The next soup night is Friday 4 June.

Erica Drewsen

RE Coordinator