Religious Education and Social Justice

World Teachers' Day

As we celebrate World Teachers' Day in Victoria this Friday, 29th October we give thanks for all teachers around the world who have strived to meet the challenges of remote and flexible learning and teaching this year.

We give thanks also for parents who have worked alongside their children to support the work of the teachers.

Loving God,

You came among us as a teacher, 

healer and saviour. 

On this World Teacher’s Day, 

bless your teachers.

Help them become even more joyful disciples and profound echoes of your wisdom,

Bless our teachers with the gifts of Your truth, beauty and goodness.

Bless them with integrity,

so that they bring Your words to life.

Bless them with courage and perseverance to walk the paths You have laid out.

We pray in the name of Jesus who knows all too well the challenges and joys of being a teacher,

Amen

Heavenly Connections – All Saints Day and All Souls Day

Two significant feasts in the life of the Catholic Church are celebrated on All Saints Day next Monday 1st November and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed the following day on All Souls Day.

These special days are a reminder that the Church is a community – a communion – of all the faithful, both in this world and beyond. We are connected in Christ to all those who have gone before us, as we are connected to the faithful here on earth.

On these two feast days we are invited to pray for all those who have gone before us and all those who have led lives of holiness. 

One of the most beautiful traditions of the Catholic Faith is the celebration of the lives of the Saints. Not only do these men, women and children give us inspiration by the way they lived their faith, and often died for it, they also continue to offer us help in our daily lives. 

Though it is common to say ‘rest in peace’ to someone who has died, for saints there is no rest after death! They are expected to keep busy and many of them are credited with hundreds of miracles.

The Communion of Saints is our Heavenly family. Like any loving family, the saints are always ready to pray for us and with us for our needs. There are saints for every kind of occupation, country and circumstance. 

Prayer from the Solemnity of All Saints

       Almighty ever-living God,

     By whose gift we venerate

 in one celebration 

the merits of all the Saints,

    bestow on us, we pray,

    through the prayers of so many

             intercessors,

    an abundance of 

the reconciliation with you

    for which we earnestly long.

    Through our Lord Jesus Christ,

             your Son,  who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

    one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer for All Souls

Merciful Father, 

hear our prayer and console us.  

As we renew our faith in Your Son, 

whom You raised from the dead,

strengthen our hope that all our 

departed brothers and sisters 

will share in His Resurrection, 

who lives and reigns with You 

and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, 

forever and ever. 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon them.  

May they rest in peace.  

Amen.

May God bless us all and keep us safe.

Jane Wilkinson

Religious Education Leader