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