ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY Weekly Newsletter Ben Davis, Acting Headteacher Grassyards Rd Kilmarnock KA3 7SL 01563 526144 www.saintjosephsacademy.co.uk Twitter: @StJoAcad ISSUE 1.3 AUGUST 29TH 2014 FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM: NURTURING FAITH-FILLED WORLD CLASS LEARNING THIS IS SAINT JOSEPH’S - THIS IS SUCCESS
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St. Joseph's Academy Weekly Newsletter, August 29th 2014
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ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMYWeekly Newsletter
Ben Davis, Acting Headteacher
Grassyards RdKilmarnock KA3 7SL
01563 526144
www.saintjosephsacademy.co.ukTwitter: @StJoAcad
ISSUE 1.3
AUGUST 29TH2014
FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM:
NURTURING FAITH-FILLED WORLD CLASS LEARNING
THIS IS SAINT JOSEPH’S - THIS IS SUCCESS
Cha
nge
Gro
wKee
p
i.De
velo
pmen
t of t
he
Carit
as A
ward
and
ra
ising
awa
rene
ss in
S4
/5ii.
Prog
ram
mes
of
perfo
rman
ces
and
dem
onst
ratio
ns o
f le
arni
ng.
i.W
hole
sch
ool
com
mem
orat
ion
of
WW
1 ce
nten
ary
ii.De
velo
pmen
t of
prog
ram
me
of y
ear
grou
p as
sem
blie
s &
activ
ities
on g
loba
l iss
ues
iii.Us
e of
sch
ool a
rchi
ve
and
loca
l are
a as
le
arni
ng c
onte
xt.
i.Ex
pans
ion
of S
5/6
optio
ns fo
r com
mun
ity
serv
iceii.
Cont
inue
d de
velo
pmen
t of f
our
busin
esse
s an
d En
terp
rise
Acad
emy
iii.In
tern
atio
nal li
nks
and
lear
ning
.
SU
CC
ES
SF
UL LE
AR
NE
RS
CO
NF
IDE
NT
IN
DIV
IDU
ALS
RE
SP
ON
SIB
LE
C
ITIZ
EN
S
EF
FE
CT
IVE
C
ON
TR
IBU
TO
RS
Build
ing o
n s
trong a
ttain
men
t and r
ich w
ider
ach
ievem
ent
Build
ing o
n a
pow
erfu
l net
work
of
per
sonal support
Build
ing o
n s
trong r
elat
ionship
s in t
he
SJA
fam
ily
Build
ing o
n G
ospel
valu
es o
f ser
vic
e and love
Youn
g pe
ople
will
exp
erie
nce
exce
llent
, enr
ichi
ng, c
halle
ngin
g an
d co
nsis
tent
le
arni
ng a
cros
s a
varie
ty o
f con
text
s w
ith a
mbi
tious
, wel
l sup
porte
d pa
thw
ays,
tran
sitio
ns a
nd c
hoic
es th
at m
eet i
ndiv
idua
l nee
ds a
nd
aspi
ratio
ns.
Youn
g pe
ople
’s w
ellb
eing
, con
fiden
ce, r
esili
ence
and
cha
ract
er w
ill re
mai
n ou
r firs
t prio
rity.
All
lear
ning
will
be
enric
hed
and
unde
rpin
ned
by a
focu
s on
an
d re
fere
nces
to o
ur s
kills
and
val
ues
and
to c
hara
cter
attr
ibut
es th
at a
re
reco
gnis
ed d
eter
min
ants
of i
ndep
ende
nce
and
succ
ess
in la
ter l
ife.
Youn
g pe
ople
will
lear
n in
an
incl
usiv
e an
d re
spec
tful e
nviro
nmen
t whe
re
high
exp
ecta
tions
are
com
mun
icat
ed a
nd m
aint
aine
d co
nsis
tent
ly.
They
will
be
taug
ht b
y a
team
of s
taff
who
are
com
mitt
ed to
thei
r ow
n le
arni
ng a
nd
deve
lopm
ent a
nd w
ho c
olla
bora
te a
nd le
ad s
ucce
ssfu
lly to
ach
ieve
this
. Yo
ung
peop
le w
ill le
ad a
nd p
artic
ipat
e in
a e
vent
s fo
cuss
ing
on c
itize
nshi
p an
d ch
arac
ter d
evel
opm
ent a
nd th
eir v
oice
and
opi
nion
s w
ill c
ontri
bute
to th
e de
velo
pmen
t of t
he s
choo
l and
loca
l com
mun
ity.
Youn
g pe
ople
will
enj
oy a
gre
ater
rang
e of
opp
ortu
nitie
s to
app
ly th
eir
lear
ning
in th
e se
rvic
e of
oth
ers,
livi
ng o
ut th
e sc
hool
’s G
ospe
l val
ues
and
appl
ying
thei
r ski
lls a
nd k
now
ledg
e.
INS
PIR
E A
ND
TR
AN
SF
OR
M 2
014
- 15
Nurturin
g f
aith-f
ille
d w
orld
cla
ss learnin
g
Cha
nge
Gro
wKee
p
i.S3
IDL
ii.Pr
imar
y tra
nsitio
n an
d 3-
18 c
urric
ulum
al
ignm
ent
iii.Re
view
of S
1 - S
3 cu
rricu
lum
: cha
lleng
e an
d ch
oice
.
i.LE
ARN:
con
siste
ncy
in
proc
ess
of le
arni
ng,
asse
ssm
ent a
nd
refle
ctio
nii.
2015
- 16
cur
ricul
um
stru
ctur
e S4
- 6;
two
year
cou
rses
, pat
hway
siii.
N6/7
cou
rses
iv.Al
tern
ative
qu
alific
atio
nsv.
Chal
leng
e in
S2
& 6.
i.Ne
w SE
EMIS
trac
king
ii.S4
- 6
IDL
iii.Co
nsol
idat
ion
of n
ew
cour
ses
(N3
- 6)
iv.O
utdo
or e
duca
tion,
es
pecia
lly D
oE A
ward
v.W
hole
sch
ool
appr
oach
to lit
erac
y &
num
erac
y th
roug
h IC
T.
Cha
nge
Gro
wKee
p
i.De
velo
pmen
t of H
ome
Room
: per
sona
lisat
ion
& ch
oice
and
sha
ring
of
good
pra
ctice
.
i.El
oque
nce:
a w
hole
sc
hool
app
roac
h to
ta
lkii.
Char
acte
r edu
catio
n th
roug
h ou
r 10
skills
an
d va
lues
.
i.Ex
tend
ing
nurtu
re
prin
ciple
s ac
ross
the
scho
olii.
Full i
mpl
emen
tatio
n of
ou
r men
tal h
ealth
and
we
llbei
ng s
trate
gy
inclu
ding
min
dful
ness
, dr
ugs
and
alco
hol a
nd
rela
ted
issue
s.
Cha
nge
Gro
wKee
p
i.Re
visio
n of
roun
ds o
f ob
serv
atio
n an
d de
partm
ent r
evie
w.
i.Re
view
of R
esto
rativ
e Pr
actic
e, p
rom
otin
g po
sitive
rela
tions
hips
an
d re
ferra
l sys
tem
.
i.De
velo
pmen
t of p
upil
voice
, esp
ecia
lly in
sel
f-ev
alua
tion
ii.Ex
pans
ion
of C
LPL
prog
ram
me
and
coac
hing
and
men
torin
giii.
Ensp
ire (P
SE) d
ays
for
all le
d by
a w
ider
rang
e of
sta
ff.
EXAMS 2014: WELL DONE EVERYONE
We were delighted once again with a strong set of results in the 2014 examinations - well done to all our pupils.
The percentage of pupils in S5 achieving 5 Highers was a record 16.4% and seven pupils achieved five A grades. They are pictured on the front cover (top): Daniel Johnston, Amy Stevenson, Alex Matheson, Monica Ainsworth, Nick Kolev, Olivia Tognini and Ramsay Heron Cunningham.
The percentage of pupils achieving 3 Highers by the end of S5 remained steady at 265, while the figure for one Higher fell slightly to 44%. In S6 the percentage of pupils achieving one Advanced Higher rose to a best-ever 28%.
In S4 many pupils did very well indeed and in our next issue we will publish more detail of this.
Of course these statistics do not tell anything like the full story, with many pupils exceeding expectations and achieving despite huge obstacles and challenges. We are very proud of all our pupils whatever their exam results and look forward to celebrating the full range of achievements at the Awards Ceremony on September 11th.
DRUMHEAD SERVICE
Head Boy Daniel Johnston and Head Girl Sarah Kelly represented the school at the Drumhead Service in Edinburgh on August 10th commemorating the centenary of the start of World War 1.
The service, featuring an altar of drums, replicated those held by frontline servicemen 100 years ago. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend John Chalmers, said, "My prayer is that over the next few years, acts of commemoration will result in the more active pursuit of peace. It is not enough to remember the past, we must learn from it."
BOOK FESTIVAL
The first week of term saw P7, S1 and S2 pupils enjoy trips to the Edinburgh Book Festival led by librarian Mrs, Kirkwood. The pupils met writers, discussed books and enjoyed an inspiring exhibition of sculptures created from old books. These are now being recreated in our ever-busy and ever-creative library.
BRUSH WITH FAME
We were delighted to hear that former pupil Katie Murray, who is studying for a BA in Fine Art, has been invited to exhibit her work at the Dick Institute from September.
We wish her well and look forward to seeing pupils and parents, past and present, at the gallery.
LEARN
This August we have launched a focus on improving further our standards of learning and teaching. We have called this LEARN and the project is being led by Mrs. McInally, DHT. We are placing more emphasis on tracking pupils’ progress and discussing their learning with them. This is in response to feedback from pupils, parents and staff. Every classroom displays the LEARN poster (see back cover), along with our 10 skills and 8 values.
Improvement Plan and Vision
The graphic opposite is a summary of our school improvement for 2015. We put this together after a wide-ranging consultation. This also led us to enhance our vision statement and put together an ambitious three year plan for the school. We aiming for nothing less than a ‘world class’ experience: ‘Nurturing faith-filled world class learning’.
New Faces
We were delighted to welcome a number of new staff to the school. They are: Mrs. Cassidy (Acting Principal Teacher of Pupil Support), Mr. Cowan (Principal Teacher of Art & Music), Miss Ramsay and Miss McIntosh (English), Mrs. McErlean (Home Economics), Miss Curran (RE) and Miss Clements (Biology).
Oxford Summer School
Over the summer holidays two new S6 pupils attended Oxbridge Summer Schools. Mark McInnes enjoyed a week of studying and socialising at Merton College, Oxford, while Nick Kolev went to St. Catherine’s, Oxford, before travelling east to St. John’s, Cambridge.
UCAS
Any pupil who has not yet told their Pupil Support teacher that they are applying for university through UCAS should do so as soon as possible. Applications will be sent as soon as they are ready and a reference is completed. This speeds up the process and ensures that pupils receive offers quickly. It costs £12 to apply to one university and £23 for multiple courses. Pupils and parents should read prospectuses, visit potential universities and talk through the university experience. We are here to help at every step. A convention for pupils applying through UCAS takes place on September 1st.
Pupils have been undertaking the first of our new themed investigations. Working in groups of S1 - S6 they have looked at the issue of disappearances - a form of human rights abuse that is sadly all to common in areas of conflict across the world.
This Sunday is the International UN Day of the Disappeared. Pupils have presented mini-Assemblies in their Home Rooms on this challenging topic.
THIS WEEK IN HOME ROOM...
It is not enough to remember the past, we must learn from
it.“”
GETTING IT RIGHT AT ST. JOSEPHʼS: PROMOTING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Achieve
and enjoy success
Participate fully in all
aspects of school lifeTreat others with respect at all times,
thinking about the effect of your behaviour on others
Represent the school in a positive manner in the community by behaving with respect and consideration
for othersListen to teachers and adults and comply with reasonable requests
Attend school with a minimum attendance rate of 95%Arrive on time for classes and at the start of the school day
Wear the school uniform with prideBring a bag and the correct equipment to school
Use your diary to record all homework and achievementsComplete work on time and to the highest standard possible
Look after and respect school property and the property of othersDispose of litter in the bins provided and encourage others to do the sameEat and drink only at morning break and lunch time and only in the Street
Line up outside every class and enter with the teacherʼs permissionStand behind desks at the start of lessons
These are our expectations of every pupil and member of St. Josephʼs community.
When everybody does their bit and takes responsibility to ensure these expectations are met then relationships are good and there is an atmosphereof mutual respect.
This is how things are almost all the time.
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM St. Joseph’s Academy | Learning and Teaching Policy 2011 5
MAKE A DIFFERENCEThe education our pupils receive at St. Josephʼs is about more than exam results and the success of individuals. Our pupils are encouraged to use their skills, abilities and experiences to contribute to the wider school community and the community outside school. We want them to value serving others, undertaking work that allows them to live out Catholic faith and values.
THINK OF OTHERSWe see ourselves as a strong community of faith. All who work in the school are aware of the responsibilities they have towards one another. St. Josephʼs is a supportive, caring environment where all are valued and encouraged to contribute. Our Pupil Support team work hard to ensure that pupils are safe, happy and making good progress in school. We work with other agencies across the community, such as Social Work or the Police, to support pupils and their families. All staff take a strong interest in the welfare of their pupils: the relationship between teacher and pupil is paramount in ensuring that our young people achieve their potential. Through our charity work we demonstrate a commitment to helping those in need and this is reinforced through acts of worship, assemblies and daily morning prayers throughout the year.
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM St. Joseph’s Academy | Learning and Teaching Policy 2011 5
MAKE A DIFFERENCEThe education our pupils receive at St. Josephʼs is about more than exam results and the success of individuals. Our pupils are encouraged to use their skills, abilities and experiences to contribute to the wider school community and the community outside school. We want them to value serving others, undertaking work that allows them to live out Catholic faith and values.
THINK OF OTHERSWe see ourselves as a strong community of faith. All who work in the school are aware of the responsibilities they have towards one another. St. Josephʼs is a supportive, caring environment where all are valued and encouraged to contribute. Our Pupil Support team work hard to ensure that pupils are safe, happy and making good progress in school. We work with other agencies across the community, such as Social Work or the Police, to support pupils and their families. All staff take a strong interest in the welfare of their pupils: the relationship between teacher and pupil is paramount in ensuring that our young people achieve their potential. Through our charity work we demonstrate a commitment to helping those in need and this is reinforced through acts of worship, assemblies and daily morning prayers throughout the year.
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM St. Joseph’s Academy | Learning and Teaching Policy 2011
BE CURIOUSWe aim to foster a love of learning in our pupils. Our teaching, and the experiences we offer pupils, should be of the highest quality to encourage them to explore, question and investigate. Learning should be an exciting journey for both pupils and teacher through which lifelong interests and passions are ignited. Our commitment to the development of active learning across the curriculum, through which pupils are engaged and challenged, is a central part of our approach to education. We want our pupils to be curious about what they can do, about other cultures and about the possibilities that exist for them beyond school.
BE OPEN TO INSPIRATIONIt is important that learners have open minds and are prepared to explore and be excited by new ideas. The staff at St. Joseph’s work hard to offer a range of opportunities and experiences that challenge and try to foster a spirit of inquiry and interest in pupils. In the same way our teachers are open minded about the skills and abilities of their pupils, often finding inspiration in the ideas and responses they offer.
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM St. Joseph’s Academy | Learning and Teaching Policy 2011
BE CURIOUSWe aim to foster a love of learning in our pupils. Our teaching, and the experiences we offer pupils, should be of the highest quality to encourage them to explore, question and investigate. Learning should be an exciting journey for both pupils and teacher through which lifelong interests and passions are ignited. Our commitment to the development of active learning across the curriculum, through which pupils are engaged and challenged, is a central part of our approach to education. We want our pupils to be curious about what they can do, about other cultures and about the possibilities that exist for them beyond school.
BE OPEN TO INSPIRATIONIt is important that learners have open minds and are prepared to explore and be excited by new ideas. The staff at St. Joseph’s work hard to offer a range of opportunities and experiences that challenge and try to foster a spirit of inquiry and interest in pupils. In the same way our teachers are open minded about the skills and abilities of their pupils, often finding inspiration in the ideas and responses they offer. INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM St. Joseph’s Academy | Learning and Teaching Policy 2011 3
MAKE YOUR MARKWe believe that all of our pupils have talents ad abilities that can contribute in some way to making the school a successful, caring and supportive environment. We aim to nurture these abilities so that pupils can have a positive effect on others. For some this may mean going on to experience great acclaim or success in their chosen field. Former pupils of the school have been highly successful in many walks of life, often rising to the top of their chosen profession or occupation. We also value those who make their mark through the positive effect they have on others and the success they enjoy in their life. When they leave us, our wish for our pupils is that, whatever they do, they have the confidence and pride to do it well and for the good of others.
AIM HIGHAs a school we strive to improve all that we do. We expect a great deal of all who take part in the day-to-day life of our school. It is important that pupils do their best and are challenged to do better so they can experience meaningful reward, praise and achievement from teachers, parents and in their public exams. Ambition and excellence are important and valued at St. Josephʼs; so too are determination and effort. This is true of both the timetabled curriculum and the extra-curricular opportunities we offer.
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM St. Joseph’s Academy | Learning and Teaching Policy 2011 3
MAKE YOUR MARKWe believe that all of our pupils have talents ad abilities that can contribute in some way to making the school a successful, caring and supportive environment. We aim to nurture these abilities so that pupils can have a positive effect on others. For some this may mean going on to experience great acclaim or success in their chosen field. Former pupils of the school have been highly successful in many walks of life, often rising to the top of their chosen profession or occupation. We also value those who make their mark through the positive effect they have on others and the success they enjoy in their life. When they leave us, our wish for our pupils is that, whatever they do, they have the confidence and pride to do it well and for the good of others.
AIM HIGHAs a school we strive to improve all that we do. We expect a great deal of all who take part in the day-to-day life of our school. It is important that pupils do their best and are challenged to do better so they can experience meaningful reward, praise and achievement from teachers, parents and in their public exams. Ambition and excellence are important and valued at St. Josephʼs; so too are determination and effort. This is true of both the timetabled curriculum and the extra-curricular opportunities we offer.
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM St. Joseph’s Academy | Learning and Teaching Policy 2011
WORKING TOGETHER MAKES GREAT LEARNINGWe see learning as something we do together. Whilst the individual may experience and enjoy success in examinations, we place considerable emphasis on learning and teaching collaboratively. Pupils are encouraged to work in groups to tackle challenges and projects, while departments work across the curriculum to innovate and develop stimulating lessons and courses. We also work with our associated primary schools, the Church, businesses and others in the community to provide a rich experience for our pupils.
TAKE PARTThere is a wide range of opportunity at St. Josephʼs, both within and beyond the classroom. We strive to make learning challenging, active and engaging and pupils are expected to learn to participate fully in lessons. We also expect that they make the most of the opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities in sport, music and drama or by participating in trips, charitable and fundraising events, discos or the Senior Prom.
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM St. Joseph’s Academy | Learning and Teaching Policy 2011
WORKING TOGETHER MAKES GREAT LEARNINGWe see learning as something we do together. Whilst the individual may experience and enjoy success in examinations, we place considerable emphasis on learning and teaching collaboratively. Pupils are encouraged to work in groups to tackle challenges and projects, while departments work across the curriculum to innovate and develop stimulating lessons and courses. We also work with our associated primary schools, the Church, businesses and others in the community to provide a rich experience for our pupils.
TAKE PARTThere is a wide range of opportunity at St. Josephʼs, both within and beyond the classroom. We strive to make learning challenging, active and engaging and pupils are expected to learn to participate fully in lessons. We also expect that they make the most of the opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities in sport, music and drama or by participating in trips, charitable and fundraising events, discos or the Senior Prom.
The majority of young people at St. Josephʼs Academy are always well-behaved, polite and courteous: they live out our Gospel Values in everything they do.
Sometimes, however, relationships break down. We will always seek to repair these break-downs, rather than simply punish. Examples of relationships breaking down include bullying, fighting, misbehaviour or rudeness towards staff or other pupils. These situations are often emotive and require sensitive, calm handling to listen to the views of all involved and reach a resolution.
We are a restorative school. Most incidents are resolved by those involved discussing matters and agreeing a way forward, rather than escalating the situation. We believe that this is the clearest expression of the Gospel values that make our school unique.
This does not mean that there are no consequences. Pupils must learn to understand the consequences of their actions and sometimes this will mean punishment. It always means facing up to those they have hurt and mending
the relationship - this is often harder and more effective than any traditional punishment.
We always seek to be fair, calm and firm, showing understanding and respect for all in our decisions. Where matters require exclusion or the involvement of other supports we view this as especially serious. We do not seek
to exclude any young person unless absolutely necessary. We believe that, with help, all young people can grow, change and learn from their mistakes.
At every stage we keep parents informed so that they are aware of matters before they become serious and we work on the assumption that parents will support us in our restorative approach, which is designed to reflect the way a family would resolve conflicts. Contact could take the form of a phone call or meeting.
We also use various strategies to monitor and celebrate the achievements and positive behaviour of our young people.
Verbal Warning and Restorative Discussion: an opportunity to change and improve.
Further Verbal Warning and Restorative Discussion: an opportunity to change and improve.
Final Verbal Warning and Restorative Discussion: an opportunity to change and improve.
Referral to Principal Teacher and Restorative Discussion: an opportunity to change and improve
Referral to Year Head and Restorative Discussion: an opportunity to change and improve.
From top: Nick Kolev and Mark McInnes (S6) who went
to Oxford and Cambridge Summer schools; examples of
Home Team challenges in S4 two year Higher English; a
pupil hard at work in English (background)
SUCCESS OF ALL TYPES IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF THE NEW TERM
Below: new S5 pupils celebrate excellent exam results; above: certificates
awarded to S1 & S3 pupils in English celebrating excellence in writing
Character Assemblies
Our first week of year group assemblies focussed on what will be a theme throughout this year: character education.
As part of our mental health and wellbeing strategy and to complement our approach to wider achievement, we are undertaking a project to place character development and education at the heart of our learning.
This is based on strong research and evidence from other schools and places of learning suggesting that the things that determine success and fulfilment in later life are not simply exam results, but character traits and attitudes of mind that can be learned and refined.
These are things such as resilience, courage, honesty and determination.
The assemblies, led by Mr. Davis, asked pupils to consider how they would like to be remembered by their classmates once they leave school. You can read more about the research that has influenced our approach at http://jubileecentre.ac.uk
Work Experience and Employment Opportunities
S4 pupils have the opportunity to experience a week working with the police - please see Pupil Support for more details. We have also made pupils aware of apprenticeship opportunities with TSB.
Wicked Wednesdays
The PE department, not content with running lunch time activities and many teams, is starting a programme of after school activities on Wednesdays from September 3rd. These include: rugby, dance, dodgeball, football, basketball, climbing and cupcake club.
Put your Jazz Hands together
Congratulations to S5 pupils Donald Jessop and Matthew Cowan who have successfully auditioned for the Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Silver Jubilee
We were delighted to mark the Silver Jubilee of our School Chaplain Fr. Chambers at a special Mass and social event on Monday of this week. Our best wishes and congratulations to him on this achievement.
WEEKLY HOME ROOM REFLECTION: THE DISAPPEAREDThis Sunday coming (August 30th) sees the International Day of the Disappeared. On this day, across the world, people of all faiths and backgrounds remember those who have been ‘disappeared’ in warfare or by governments and terrorist organisations. In many countries the disappearance of people, often civilians, has been a tactic used to create fear, uncertainty and to break down the morale of communities. It was used by the Nazis during the second World War and its use by a variety of dictatorships and totalitarian regimes in South America, Africa and Asia is also well documented. There are also examples of disappearance being used in Northern Ireland in the 1970s and 80s. The relatives and friends of the person who is ‘disappeared’ are left wondering, often throughout the rest of their lives, as to whether or not, their loved one is alive or dead. Such anxiety takes its toll on individuals and communities often with the result that they are no longer able to resist or protest against those who have made the disappearance occur. Of course, in many countries over the years there are also those who have waved loved ones off to war, never to see them again and never to receive a body to bury. The huge wars of the 20th and 21st centuries have created thousands of people ‘missing in action’, and often presumed dead. For us, who live with our friends and family around us in relative security, it is hard to imagine living with not knowing.
Let us pray: Lord we ask that those who are the relatives and friends of the disappeared across the world, are given relief from their anguish and are able to find out the truth. We pray too that communities are not damaged by the fear of disappearance and that governments and those in power use wisdom and communication to resolve differences. We ask this prayer through Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
PARISH MASS TIMES
St. Matthewʼs: 9.30 am, Fr. Chambers ! ! ! St. Josephʼs: 6.00 pm (vigil), 11.00 am Fr. LathamSt. Michaelʼs: 4.30 pm (vigil) ! ! ! ! Our Lady of Mount Carmel: 9.30 am, Fr. McGheeSt. Paulʼs: 11.30 am, Fr. Chambers! ! ! Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick: 6.00 pm (vigil), Fr. McGrattanSt. Sophiaʼs: 6.00 pm (vigil) Fr. Chambers !! ! St. Thomas the Apostle: 9.00 am, Fr. McGrattanSt. Francis Xavier, Patna: 5.00 pm (vigil)! ! ! St. John the Evangelist: 10.45 am, Fr. McGrattan