Sunday
18 JUNE
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
(Corpus Christ)
John 6:51-58     
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. 
Teacher Background
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Monday
19 JUNE
Praying with the Gospel
  • In the gospel reading Jesus says “I am the living bread.” This part of the gospel follows on from the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. He is now explaining to the people that if they eat this living bread that is him, they will live forever. At the celebration of Mass, Catholics receive the bread that will feed them so that they can go and feed others. Reflect on the meaning of this word ‘feed’?
  • Pray the Our Father and say the words ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ slowly and mindfully. ​

Tuesday
20 JUNE
World Refugee Day
  • More than 10 million people are refugees worldwide.  They have crossed borders to escape persecution because of their race, religion, political belief or social group. This week is World Refugee Week and we remember and pray for them so that they may find hope and restoration from the despair and persecution from which they have fled.
  • Spend time in prayer with a PowerPoint Reflection ‘Refugees’ prepared by Caritas.
  • Reflect on the powerful messages in the song Oh Canada! by Missy Higgins. (Older students: This would need to be previewed by the teacher as to whether it would be suitable depending on the age level and maturity of the students.)
  • The Australian singer-songwriter, Missy Higgins dedicated this powerful and moving song to the victims of the Syrian refugee crisis, after she was overcome with emotion on seeing images of a young boy's body washed up on a beach. 

Wednesday
21 JUNE
Praying with Music 
​Pray with the calming music and images on the video Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt , an Estonian composer of classical and religious music.

Thursday
22 JUNE
Praying with Prayer Beads
  • People have prayed with beads for hundreds and hundreds of years. Since the earliest of times, people have used pebbles or a string of knots or beads on a cord to keep track of prayers offered to God. Muslims use a set of 99 beads with each bead representing a name for God in the Islamic faith tradition. Other examples are the Hindu “Mala beads’” and the Buddhist prayer beads. Catholics pray with Rosary beads.
  • Beads can also be used for Meditation as they can help people to focus and calm their minds and bodies. The beads can be moved in rhythm with the breath and a mantra or prayer can be prayed as each bead is touched e.g. prayers of intercession or prayers of thanksgiving. 
Prayers of Thanksgiving
  • Bead 1: Give thanks for a family member
    Bead 2: Give thanks for a friend
    Bead 3: Remember and give thanks for someone who has died
    Bead 4: Give thanks for creation e.g. the rain, trees 
    Bead 5: Give thanks for yourself and your gifts.
    In between each bead and each prayer, pause to say ‘Thank you God!’  

Friday
23 JUNE
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This day reminds us of the incredible and everlasting LOVE of Jesus!
  • Spend time in prayer gazing upon this very modern artistic representation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It has been created by Stephen B Whatley. Stephen has a deep Christian faith and is grateful to God for the unique art he creates with and through prayer.
  • Notice the lines, the movement and the colours. What do you believe the artist is trying to express? What is God saying to you through this image?
  • Decorate Hearts or download free images of Heart Mandalas to colour mindfully.
  • Write on the back of the Heart Mandalas a Prayer of Thanksgiving for this past term.