When We Have Each Other, We Have Everything

The community of St Joseph’s Primary School, Woodburn, came together for an uplifting night to acknowledge the anniversary of the 2022 Flood. (3 March 2023)

As we mark the first anniversary of the Southeast Queensland and New South Wales floods, many of our schools brought their community together to reflect, connect and heal. 

The St Joseph’s Primary School, Woodburn, community came together on Friday evening at the Evans Head campus for a beautiful night to remember, reflect, pray, eat, sing and dance. 

A moving liturgy led by the students started the night. Students quietly entered their fantastic new playground area, each holding a beautiful handmade mosaic tile, a sign symbolising a specific memory or intricately hand-painted pebbles. 

With pride, each student placed their object at the foot of the altar to create a mosaic cross surrounded by signs and pebbles. The staff and students made the mosaic tiles to remind them of all the small things people have done for the school community.

‘I loved how quiet and calm it was as we all walked in,’ said Year 6 student Charlotte. 

The students created a circle around the cross as their families watched the liturgy with hope and joy. 

During the liturgy, the students stood and blessed their families, staff and each other. In return, all of the families stood and blessed the children. The extraordinary liturgy concluded with the song ‘From Little Things, Big Things Grow’ reminding us of the power of small things - a smile, kind words, a hug, helping someone out and a prayer matters.

‘This is a wonderful evening and very moving; seeing the children carrying the tiles and signs was lovely,’ said parent Melissa.

The students then collected a handful of pebbles and handed them out to all in the school community to carry as a reminder that you can trust Jesus with your troubles and that the Spirit of Jesus is with us wherever we go.

‘This is a great night to come together with our friends and family. The best part has been the liturgy and handing out the pebbles to our family,’ said Year 6 student Leila.

As the sun set, the families enjoyed a meal and time to relax as the children played, laughed and enjoyed the treat of a jumping castle provided by one of the families; a truly special evening at St Joseph’s Primary School.