Religious Education

 

Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door I will come in. 

Week Two

One of the discussions the Preps have had this week in Religious Education is about how we pray. They have learnt that there are many different ways of praying; through song, through formal prayer and informal prayer. Some families pray together at meal times. Others pray before they go to sleep whilst others come together over the weekend to find a time to pray with their parish Church online.

One way the children pray together as a class is through meditation. Meditation offers them time to be still in the moment; to open their hearts and listen to our God. It offers them the opportunity to be aware of the world around them, to be thankful, to be peaceful, to be joyous and to be hopeful.

In the busyness of our lives, I wonder if we can allow some time for ourselves to reflect and pray and to listen to our God. The Ignatius spirituality offers a time of reflection and prayer that I find helpful and have shared with you below: 

A Reflection for the Day

• What am I grateful for today - what people or experiences made me feel God's presence?
• How can what I experienced today help me to find more balance between work and the other people in and important parts of my life?
• How can what I experienced today help me to understand what I've learned over the past year and help to more regularly reflect on my experiences and what I have learned from them?

A Reflection for the Week

Thanksgiving:What am I especially grateful for in the past week...The love and support I have received...The courage I have mustered...An event that took place...

Petition:I am about to review my week; I ask myself to dedicate time and focused thought to my reflection so that I may better know and prepare myself.

Review:Where have I felt true joy this week?What has troubled me?What has challenged me?Where and when did I pause?Where and when did I confidently act?What did I spiritually connect with?

Response:In light of my review, how can I more fully engage with myself, my vocation, and the people I encounter?

A Look Ahead:As I look ahead, how should I implement my response next week?With what spirit do I want to enter the next week?

May we allow our God of love and hope to be a source of comfort and support to us in our lives.

Bernadette Reed

(Religious Education Leader)