Family Educator's Corner

Chalking the Door - Epiphany Blessing

On the Solemnity of Epiphany (Sunday 5 January 2025), we would like to invite you to:

• Take the chalk that Fr John blessed last week at our end-of-year Mass (and that the eldest St Martha’s student in each family brought home from school on the last day of school in 2024) and gather with your family to ask for God’s blessing on your home, those who live within it and all those who visit;
• It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in your home, in your comings and goings, your conversations, your work and play, your joys and sorrows; 
• This tradition is practiced by using blessed chalk to write the numbers & letters 20 + C + M + B + 25 above your front door;  
• The letters C + M + B, written above the doors, have two meanings: 

1. They represent the initials of the Magi - Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar who came to visit Jesus in His first home. 

2. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat - ‘May Christ bless the house.’ 

• Pray this Prayer:                                                                                                            

  Lord God of heaven and earth,                                                                    

  You revealed Your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house of ours, all who live here and all who visit.                                                                                                                                                                                          

  May we always be blessed with good health, kindness of heart, gentleness                                                            and the keeping of Your teachings.                                                     

  Fill us with the light of Christ, so that our love for each other may go out to all. 

  May all who enter throughout the year find love and light;     

  for Christ has come to dwell in this home and in these hearts.                                                                                                   All: Amen.

Invite each member of the family to pray a prayer of hope for the New Year. After each prayer say ‘Lord hear our prayer and bless us.’

Have a blessed Solemnity of the Epiphany,                           

All the staff members at St Martha’s Catholic Primary School, Strathfield

Wishing you all a restful and wonderful holiday break. May the peace and joy of the Child Jesus, His Holy Mother and St Joseph, be at the centre of our hearts and homes during this Christmas season and always. Thank you for a most blessed 2024 filled with prayer, service, generosity and genuine care for the whole St Martha’s community and beyond. May God continue to bless you and your families abundantly,

Mrs Elena Razzoli

Family Educator