St Patrick's Day

St Patrick’s Day, is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was born in Britain in the fourth century and didn’t arrive in Ireland until he was 16 years old, when he was sent to work in the country. After he arrived, Patrick became interested in Christianity and started teaching others about the religion. He is said to have converted many of the country’s residents to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one God. 

At St Paul’s we celebrated the day with a special assembly prayer focusing on St Patrick. The students wore green accessories on the day and donated $774.25 For Project Compassion.  These funds together with other money donated to the Project Compassion boxes in each class room will be forwarded to Caritas Australia at the end of Lent.  Our generous support will help to change the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Thank you for your support.

St Joseph’s Feast Day (19 March)

St Joseph was the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. According to the Scriptures, he was a carpenter, a working man. The Gospel of Matthew calls him a “righteous man,” meaning he was an observant Jew who obeyed God’s law.

We know Joseph was a compassionate, caring man. Joseph was engaged to Mary, but upon discovering that Mary was pregnant with Jesus, he decided to call off the marriage—but “quietly,” since the penalty for adultery was death by stoning. However, the angel of the Lord told him in a dream that he should go ahead with the marriage because Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. “He did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him” (Matthew 1:24).

We also know that Joseph loved Jesus. His demonstrated great concern for the safety of this child, entrusted to him. Not only did Joseph leave his home to protect Jesus, but upon his return settled in the obscure town of Nazareth out of fear for his life. Another example was when Jesus stayed in the Temple. We are told that Joseph and Mary searched with great anxiety for three days for Jesus (Luke 2:48). We also know that Joseph treated Jesus as his own son even though the people of Nazareth say of Jesus, "Is this not the son of Joseph?" (Luke 4:22)

Mary referred to Joseph as Jesus’ father, honouring his role in caring for and protecting Jesus, and raising him in the Jewish faith; however, the reply of Jesus refers to God as his Father, and introduces a common theme in his preaching: Our faithfulness to God must come before even our closest human relationships.

The Solemnity of St Joseph is celebrated on March 19. He is also honoured as the patron saint of workers on May 1.

At St Paul’s, each class celebrated this Feast Day on the Eve of St Joseph’s Feast Day with a ‘Liturgy of the Word’ in their classroom.

Harmony Day (21 March) 

Harmony Day was celebrated on Monday, 21 March 2022. It is an important day because it gives Australians an opportunity to celebrate our successes as a culturally diverse society. It is also a day that celebrates inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

At St Paul’s we started the day with a Prayer Assembly focusing on Harmony Day. The students were invited to wear orange accessories with their uniform and made paper chains to mark our unity as a community.