Reflection

Joseph and Mary

Wednesday 1 May was the feast of St Joseph the Worker.

We know about St Joseph through the Bible. We know that Joseph was a righteous man and a merciful man. He always treated Mary with dignity and respect.  He did not want to disgrace her when he thought (incorrectly) that she was unfaithful. Let us reflect in our own lives how we can do the right thing and how we can show mercy to others.

We know that St Joseph was ever ready to carry out God’s will as revealed to him in the Law and through four dreams. He was entrusted with loving and protecting Mary and Jesus. Let us reflect in our own lives how we can do what God wants us to do.

From St Joseph, Jesus learned the value, the dignity and the joy of work.  May this dignity and joy of work be reflected in what we do this year. It could be in the classroom, at home, at work, at a part time job. It could be paid or unpaid work. May this dignity and joy of work be evident in the way we conduct ourselves each day. 

Do you ever feel like you could use some help approaching God in your prayers? 

When we ask Mary to pray for us, we honour and worship her Son, who is more than happy to listen to His mother's pleas on our behalf. Catholic prayer is not really directed to Mary in the way that it is directed to God. Therefore, she is seen as a go-between, speaking to God on behalf of us.

This form of prayer, known as Marian prayer, invites us to ask Mary for her assistance and her grace, especially when we feel most troubled in our daily lives.

May is a month especially devoted to Marian Prayer, in particular, the Rosary. This special prayer is prayed every Friday lunchtime in the Chapel and in some RE classes especially this month.

May we always be able to ask Mary for her assistance and her grace, in whatever difficulties we are experiencing in our daily lives.

Holy Family of Nazareth – Be our inspiration and our guide.

Jesus of Nazareth – Help us to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge.