Confirmation:  Please keep Tom and Ainslie in your prayers as they prepare to make the Sacrament of Confirmation. The candidates enjoyed a Parish Retreat Day on Tuesday and will make the Sacrament on Thursday 17^th June at 6.oopm at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Tumut. The students have been learning about the gifts of the Holy Spirit as well as the qualities of their chosen Saint.

Winter Appeal: On Thursday 24^th June, St Joseph’s will be holding a Winter Appeal to support the St Vincent De Paul Society. The Vinnies Winter Appeal provides emergency relief to people at risk and experiencing homelessness. Your donation and support will help ensure that families at risk of homelessness get the financial and emotional support they need to keep themselves and their children safe.

Particularly in these colder months Vinnies would appreciate donations of:

• Blankets
• Jackets
• Jumpers
• Warm Gloves and Socks
• Canned goods

These donations then go directly to people in need in our community or sold at the Vinnies Centre to generate funds for other forms of assistance like case management and assistance with utility bills.

Students are invited to wear a warm winter beanie or scarf (still wear their school uniform) on Thursday 24^th and bring along a donation to support the Winter Appeal.

Dear God,

In the midst of Winter, when the days are cold and wind can pierce,

remind us of the warmth of your love.

In the midst of Winter, when days are short, dawn comes late, and dusk arrives early,

remind us that in the darkness your light still shines.

In the midst of Winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the trees, and the world can seem bleak,

remind us that Spring is but a short time away.

And when in our lives we feel as if we are experiencing a season of Winter, reach out to us with the power of your resurrection so that we may feel the warmth of your love and see your light that alone can take away the darkness of our soul.