The sun may not have been out this St Joseph’s Day, but that didn’t stop our school community at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School from shining as we gathered with Bishop Brian Mascord to celebrate the feast day of their patron saint.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the entire school was able to come together to celebrate a special liturgy to mark the day.

Students from every year helped honour St Joseph through reading, singing and role-playing. 

During the liturgy, students brought forward symbols that represented the various aspects of St Joseph’s life as Worker, Teacher, Father, Husband, Man of Faith, Protector and Refugee.

The symbols were placed in a wooden toolbox that was presented to Bishop Brian, so he could continue to share the celebration of St Joseph with schools across the diocese during this Year of St Joseph.

In his homily, Bishop Brian told the students that each of us is called to do our best, just like St Joseph did.

“Joseph, Mary and Jesus were a family just like many of ours,” said Bishop Brian. “Sometimes they struggled, sometimes they celebrated. Sometimes things were wonderful, sometimes they were tough."

"But through it all they had something really special: a beautiful relationship with God. He was part of their lives, just like he is part of your life. That’s why today we are giving thanks to God for the gift of St Joseph, who gives us a wonderful example" — Bishop Brian Mascord

The liturgy closed with a prayer that Pope Francis shared with the Church when he proclaimed this year the Year of St Joseph.

All members of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong community are invited to join St Joseph's Catholic Parish Primary School, Bulli, in praying it regularly throughout the year:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man. 
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.