Religious Education and Social Justice

Prayer of Thanksgiving

As Term 2 draws to a close we reflect on all the new challenges we have faced as a school community and in our homes over the past few months. The fears, the unknowns, the new learnings and the uncertainty were all overwhelming at times. But along with the challenges we faced, there were many new experiences that proved to be very successful, positive and life giving. Take a moment to reflect on the prayer below and give thanks for the positives that have come out of the pandemic crisis.

An Opportunity to Awaken...

Yes there is panic buying. 

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan 

after so many years  of noise

       you can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet       the sky is no longer thick with fumes      

 but blue and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

       people are singing to each other 

     across the empty squares,

       keeping their windows open 

      so that those who are alone

       may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

      is offering free meals and 

delivery to the housebound.

 Today a young woman I know      

is busy spreading fliers with her number      through the neighbourhood      

so that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques

and Temples are preparing to welcome

      and shelter the homeless,

 the sick, the weary.

All over the world 

people are slowing down

 and reflecting.

All over the world people 

are looking at their neighbours 

in a new way.

All over the world people

 are waking up to a new reality

      to how big we really are.

      To how little control we really have.

        To what really matters.

      To Love.

So we pray

and we remember that

yes, there is fear.     

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.   

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.    

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.    

But there does not have to be 

disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.     

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make

 as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises 

of your panic-  

 The birds are singing again     

The sky is clearing,     

Spring is coming,

     And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul          

and though you may not be able          

to touch across the empty square,

          Sing.

- Written by Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM, 

Sunday Mass Activities for Children

Jesus is preparing to send his apostles out to preach. He has been warning them that they might be rejected or even punished for their words.

Click on this link to explore the Gospel reading:

https://cathfamily.org/cathkids-ord12-yra/

Explore the reading by clicking on the following tabs located on the main screen:

• The Word: video of the reading
• Look Closer: brief exploration of the reading in child friendly language
• Ponder: some questions to ponder or wonder about related to the Gospel and our lives
• Respond: an activity is provided to further give children the opportunity to reflect on the Gospel of the week
• Pray: a short prayer service for families to participate in.

May God bless us all and keep us safe during the school holidays.

Jane Wilkinson

Religious Education Leader