Sunday
29 April
​FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 
30 April ST Pius V 
1 May
 St Joseph the Worker 
2 May  St Athanasius 
3 May  Sts Philip & James 
SUNDAY 29th April
Fifth Sunday of Easter
John 15:1-8 
I am the true vine...brings us another of John's meditations
Teacher Background

May is domestic violence awareness month

Each May, Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month to raise community awareness of domestic and family violence and to send a clear message that violence of this sort will not be tolerated. Community Resources
Prayer
We pray:
Loving God, be with all men and women who are in doubt about their intimate relationships.
Give them clarity of mind and peaceful hearts
so that they can make good decisions guided by Your love.
Let those who must, discern any abuse that may exist so that they can learn to care for themselves with Your help.
Let those who must, acknowledge that they are harming the other, so they can learn to abhor their own behaviour and come to true repentance and amendment of life. Keep us all safe in our relationships.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Further resources

Monday
30 april
St Pius V
​
Meditative Prayer Practice
Ignatian meditation is a mediation method based on that of St Ignatius of Loyola used in his spiritual exercises. St Ignatius lived in Spain in the 16th century and founded the Jesuit order. He believed that our imagination and senses can help us to enter into the events of Jesus’ life. 
Steps for using Imaginative Meditation with students
Step 1: Explanation so that students have an understanding of what will happen. Play reflective music and allow time for calming and stilling.
Step 2: Position participants being clear in directions and guidelines for where and how students are to sit or lie.
Step 3: Read the Gospel passage to the students and invite them to listen carefully.
Step 4: Lead students in Awareness exercises e.g. take note of your breathing… listen to your breathing… breathe through your nose, in …out…in …out.
Step 5: Enter into the meditation.
Link to further steps in this meditation
Further Resources

TUESDAY
1 may
St Joseph the worker
St Joseph the Worker 
Today the Catholic Church remembers and celebrates the holiness of St Joseph. He is the patron
saint of fathers, workers and the Church. He is remembered for his obedience and trust in God;
his humility and selflessness; his courage and the love he showed to Mary and Jesus.
Pray a Litany 
Good Saint Joseph
Pray for us 
For families who are refugees as a result of discrimination, war or natural disaster.
Pray for them
For all fathers, stepfathers, single fathers and adoptive fathers.
Pray for them 
For all fathers who are grieving the loss of a child.
Pray for them
For all who men who are unemployed and searching for work.
Pray for them 
For all who are close to death
Pray for them 
Good Saint Joseph
Pray for us 

WEDNESDAY
2 may
ST ATHANASIUS
Prayer Starters 
Brainstorm starters for prayers and make a set of coloured cards. Find a fun way to display them e.g. in a glass jar, a bright box/bowl or assembled on a ring.  Students choose one or are randomly allocated a Prayer Starter, and use this as a stimulus for vocal or written prayers.

Loving God, I feel …
Creator God, sometimes I wonder……
Gentle God, help me to know …..

Feast of St Athanasius

THURSDAY
3 may
 SainTS PHILIP & JAMES
​Feast of Sts Phlip and James (apostles)
Let us pray for the gift of faith and courage to follow Jesus in our daily lives. Name practical ways that we can do this.  
Praying with Song
Oh Mercy Lyric Video - Stu Garrard, Matt Maher and Audrey Assad have recently released this new song. It is a powerful prayer especially in the light of the chemical attacks and subsequent bombings in Syria.  Let us pray together: Shine your light on us and on the suffering men, women and children of Syria ​

FRIDAY
4 may
May the Month of Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with you;
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Find more on teaching traditional prayers on the link below.
Teaching Traditional Prayers