Reflecting on the Seven Joys of St. Joseph: A Year of Celebration

Reflecting on the seven joys of St Joseph. Joy is a deep happiness from inside. Think about some of the things that make you feel joyful. Helping someone or doing a good turn Seeing or talking to family Spending time with friends Giving or receiving a gift! Giving or receiving a compliment Over the next seven months, we will reflect about some of the big moments in Joseph s life that brought joy.

June 2021 The Angel s Message of Joy Having the Honour of Naming Jesus and he did not know here until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:25 Theme: St Joseph Most Obedient Action: Honouring the name of Jesus

As we prepare for our liturgy, we make the Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Why a Year for St Joseph? What can you remember about St Joseph? Reflecting on what we heard last time, has St Joseph inspired you and how? Can you remember why we are celebrating a Year to St Joseph?

Why a Year for St Joseph? Pope Francis declared this year (2021) to be a special year to especially remember St Joseph. The year is dedicated to remembering the important person St Joseph was in Jesus life. St Joseph protected the Holy Family, Mary and Jesus, when he was on earth and today in heaven he continues to care for all families, including God s worldwide family the Church. During the Coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis has been inspired by people with everyday jobs who have supported others in extraordinary ways. Pope Francis has said that we can learn from St Joseph how to be caring, humble, faithful, and listen carefully to God and each other.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 1: 18-25 Glory to you Lord. This was how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, who was an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said; Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who will save his people from their sins. Now all this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet; Look! the virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom they will call Emmanuel, a name which means God-is-with-us. When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home ..she gave birth to son; and he named him Jesus. The Gospel of the Lord, Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Reflect on the Word.

The month of June is dedicated to TheSacred Heart of Jesus. How much do you know about the Sacred Heart? Jesus appeared to a French nun, St Margaret Mary Alacoque in the seventeenth century. When Jesus appeared to Sister Margaret Mary He showed her His heart. It was wrapped in thorns like the ones that made up the crown of thorns placed on Jesus head during His Passion and death. The heart Jesus showed was also on fire, Jesus said that the flame showed His enormous love for each and every person. Jesus told St Margaret Mary that we often forget how much He loves us, and how we most always remember and love Him. Jesus promised St Margaret Mary he would give special graces to anyone devoted to His Sacred Heart. He also promised to bring peace to families.

Reflect on the Word. Let us pray: Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus I give you my heart! Help me to love more so my heart can be like yours. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you. Amen Jesus promised he would bring peace to families who were devoted to the Sacred Heart , pray quietly for your own family. You might want you give thanks for your family or pray for someone in your family who is worried or sad at this time. The Our Father is known as our family prayer, we stand together in prayer as one family, one community. As we pray the Our Father, we think about all the families we are part of; the church family, school family, our own family . As we say hallowed be thy name .. it reminds us to treat God with respect in our lives, holy is His name, so we pray Our Father..

Mission Witness These hearts represent the Holy Family. Can you see the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Pure Heart of St. Joseph? WHAT SYMBOLS ARE USED AND WHAT DO THEY REPRESENT? Let us pray: Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee, Heart of Mary, I implore Thee, Heart of Joseph, pure and just, In these hearts I put my trust. In the Gospel reading the angel told Joseph to call his Son Jesus. The name Jesus means God saves . We know from the commandments that we should not take the name of the Lord our God in vain. Try to think carefully of the words we are using, especially when we are with our friends showing respect to the name of Jesus. When we are praying and we say the name Jesus, we bow our heads in respect! St Joseph, pray for us.