Catholic Identity

Creator God, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, as we walk together on your path of love, hope and faith.

Thank you for the gifts of our school, 

our environment, our families and friends.

May our school be a place of learning, care, welcome and celebration.

Mary our Mother, pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross, pray for us. 

Amen

This year’s theme for C.E.Sandhurst schools is

“Let the words you speak always be full of grace.”

As we continue to spread the Good News, we are called to be people of dialogue, 

using our words as instruments of love.

We will encourage those in our care to speak kindly to one another in the classroom, the playground, on the bus, in the car and at home.

Catholic Identity Week 6

The first reading on Sunday emphasises that there is one God, the father of all humanity, and the question is raised as to why people despise and mistreat their fellow human beings when they share a common creator and heritage. This theme of friendship and unity is found in various parts of the Bible.

We are constantly thankful to God because when we hear God's message, we don't just hear a regular human message. What we hear is truly God's message and how it's now making a difference in us because we believe in it. This passage suggests gratitude for receiving the word of God, which is divine and transformative, and that it is at work in those who believe. It highlights the transformative power of faith and the message of God.

In Matthew 23: 1-12, Jesus criticises the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and teachers of his time about humility and exaltation. The verse, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted," is part of this passage. It offers the idea that humility is valued in the eyes of God.

These passages underline the importance of humility and the unity of all people as children of the same God and the transformative power of God's Word. We are part of the broad message given to us by Jesus, which includes teachings about love, compassion, and the importance of living in harmony with God's will.

Humility Prayer

God, I am far too often influenced by what others think of me. I am always pretending to be either richer or smarter or nicer than I really am. Please prevent me from trying to attract attention. Don't let me gloat over praise on one hand or be discouraged by criticism on the other. Nor let me waste time weaving imaginary situations in which the most heroic, charming, witty person present is myself. Show me how to be humble of heart, like you.

                                                                                                                                    - Author Unknown