Our stable scene

During the special Nativity Assemblies we complete our stable scene ready for Christmas by adding baby Jesus into his Manger.

Each class took it in turns to carefully place Jesus into his manager and then each child took a few moments to pray in front of the stable and talk to Jesus from their hearts – it was beautiful to watch each child be so reverent and prayerful in front of the stable.

One of the Nativity Assemblies

On Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th December we held special Nativity Assemblies so that each class could gather together in the hall to listen to the story of the Nativity and listen to Christmas songs and hymns.

It was very special to share the Nativity story and complete our Advent journey.

Our completed Jesse Tree

On Wednesday 16th December we completed our Jesse Tree by adding the final symbol – the Holy Family at Jesus’ birth.

The Jesse Tree symbolises our journey through Advent – the transformation from just bare branches of a tree to a full and colourful one, a reminder that we have changed our lives and are ready for Jesus.

Year 4 listening to His Grace

On Wednesday 16th December the children shared the message from His Grace The Archbishop Bernard Longley.

His Grace had recorded a special Christmas message for all of the children in the Dioceses and and the children really appreciated his kindness and prayers.

The Christmas bauble

On Tuesday 15th December everyone in school received a special present from a special visitor!  Father Christmas visited each of the classes to deliver a gift to every child.

The children were given a special Christmas story bauble which tells the Christmas story from St Joseph’s point of view –  a very special person for our school!

The gift for the children is a gift from the school and we hope they children hang their story bauble on their Christmas tree at home and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Some of our Bambinellis

On Friday 11th December the children from St Joseph’s took part in the Catholic tradition of Bambinelli Sunday.

Bambinelli Sunday is celebrated on Joy Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, where a tradition started by Pope John Paul II involves children bringing their baby Jesus statues form their home managers into the church to be blessed.

Pope Francis encourages us to continue this tradition.  So today, the children brought in LOTS of Bambinellis which they had made at home to be blessed in school.

We held a special prayer service and prayed for God to bless all of the Bambinellis this Advent.  The children then take God’s blessing and their little Bambinellis home to be with them this Christmas.