Sunday
20 MAY
pentecost sunday
ORDINARY TIME  
 Monday 21 may,   
   St Christopher Magallanes and companions 
  Tuesday 22 may,  
   st Rita of Cascia 
  thursday 24 May 
OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS 
Friday 25 may,  
   St Bede the Venerable 
   St Gregory VII  
   St Mary Magdalene de’Pazzi  
Pentecost Sunday
John 20:19-23
The Spirit dwells in each believer as our ‘paraclete’ – the companion who stands by us 
Teacher Background
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Praying with the Gospel 
In this gospel reading Jesus is preparing the disciples for his leaving them. He promises to send the Holy Spirit to them to be their Advocate and to stay by their side forever known to them as the Spirit of truth.  Let us pray together asking the Holy Spirit to be our helper and guide.
Spirit of God, You teach us about peace.
Guide us and help us in our decision making.
All: Come to us O Holy Spirit!
Spirit of Truth, You remind us to show goodness and love.
Calm our fears and give us strength.
All: Come to us O Holy Spirit!
Spirit of Life, You live in us.
Help us to respect creation and see God in all things.
All: Come to us O Holy Spirit

Monday
21 MAY
 ST CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES AND COMPANION
The Feast of St. Christopher Magallanes (Older students) 
Today we honour St. Christopher Magallanes, priest and martyr, and his companions, known as the Mexican martyrs. Follow the link above to find out more

Quiet meditation to reflect on the psalm of the day: (All students) 
Use the Psalm 19: My Redeemer by Jason Silver 

Tuesday
22 MAY
​  ST RITA OF CASCIA
Mark 9:33-37 
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Prayers of Intension 
Response: Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you. 
Teacher Background on St Rita
 

Wednesday
23 MAY
​Praying the Our Father
  • Reflect with the Video: Three Minute Retreat: Pray as Jesus Taught
  • Pray together the Our Father. This is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples when they asked him how to pray.
  • Take the phrase ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ and recontextualise this as to what we mean by daily bread. Bread was a powerful symbol for the people in the time of Jesus as it reminded them of God’s provision for His people in the Old Testament.
  • We need God in all areas of our life (physical, spiritual and mental), and this is a daily need. Spend time talking to God about what ‘our daily bread’ might be e.g. patience, peace, concentration as well as food and water, a place to live and a right to feel safe. Pray for all who are in need of food, clothing and shelter and for those who need to be at peace, feel safe and know they are valued and respected.

Thursday
24 MAY
​OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS
Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians
This is a significant feast in Australia, because in 1844 the bishops nominated Mary as a special patron of Australia. 
Look carefully at the oil painting of Our Lady of the Southern Cross by Paul Newton. This painting was commissioned for World Youth Day in 2008 and now hangs in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney.
  • ​What do you notice about the colours, lines and textures?
  • What do you notice about the eyes, hands and heads of the Mother and Child? 
  • What Australian symbols do you notice in this painting?
  • In silence, ask Mary to protect our country and help all Australians to live in a spirit of peace and harmony.
  • Time for silent prayer. ​

Friday
25 MAY
national reconciliation week begins may 27-june 3
   ST BEDE THE VENERABLE 
   ST GREGORY VII  
   ST MARY MAGDALENE DE’PAZZI  ​
National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day is an important time to remember the injustices done to the Stolen Generations and the sadness and damage the events from the past have had on Australia’s First Peoples. Stolen Generations refers to Indigenous Australians who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.

Acknowledgement of Country
Let us take a moment of silence to remember the traditional owners of this land.
May we respect their story, their tradition and their culture.
Let us stand to remember them with one minute of silence.

Pray Prayers of Intercession
For all Indigenous people who have experienced pain and loss.
All: God of Mercy, hear our prayers.
For Australians to accept others, regardless of colour, race or creed.
All: God of Mercy, hear our prayers
For guidance as our country and people continue to walk pathways to a spirit of Reconciliation
All: God of Mercy, hear our prayers.
We make these prayers through Christ our Lord
All: Amen