Sunday
21 MAY
Sixth Sunday of Easter
John 14:15-21  
​ Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit!
Teacher Background

Monday
22 MAY
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
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Tuesday
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.  

Wednesday
24 MAY
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. 

Thursday
25 MAY
Praying for the Sick
  • Today many Australians will stop for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. This is the largest fundraising event organised by the Cancer Council of Australia to raise money for cancer support and research.  People at home, school, work and in the community organise morning or afternoon tea parties where morning tea is served and money is donated to this worthy cause.
  • Let us pray for those who are suffering with cancer; for those who are dying; for their families and friends; for medical staff who care for them; for those who are trying to research better ways to prevent cancer. 

Friday
26 MAY
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 
 
Apology to the Stolen Generation on behalf of the Australian Government and the Australian people.  Kevin Rudd 
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