SUNday
9th July
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 11:25-30
Jesus said, "If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light."

Reflection: The man in the picture is  an ex-soldier and landmine victim, from Cambodia. He is able to plant his own vegetables and carry water from the spring because of the prosthetic leg he was given. The carrying yoke on his shoulders makes it easier to carry the water cans.

Let us pray, (pause)
​Father of all that is good, keep us faithful in serving you through the help that we give to others. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. ​

MONday
10TH JULY
Preparing the Sacred Space
Set up the prayer space to reflect the season of Ordinary Time which can be called the Season of Growth (video). The liturgical colour is green. Involve students in designing and creating a tie dyed class prayer mat or individual prayer mats.  

Plan a variety of prayer experiences for the term.  Consider prayers that will have a teaching focus this term and prayers that will be revisited and retaught.  Refer to APPENDIX A Explicit Teaching about Prayer, the Prayer Library and Christian Prayer Resources

​Plan times to stop for prayer and possible places (chapel, prayer room, church, garden, playground, at desks) for students to pray. 

Tuesday
11TH JULY
Memorial of St Benedict (480-543)
St Benedict is best known for writing The Rule of St Benedict which is a spiritual treasure written in the sixth century. The Good Samaritan Sisters in Australia follow the Rule of St Benedict which begins with the words, "Listen with the ear of the heart." 
​What do I hear? (Take time to be still and quiet.)  Repeat silently: I hear....; I hear...; I hear... until you cannot add anything. Be amazed at what you can hear when you are still. What am I hearing in my heart as a result of doing this exercise?

Wednesday
12TH JULY
​NAIDOC Week was officially 2 - 9 July 2017 but many Queensland schools are celebrating this week because of the school holidays. This year's theme is Our Languages Matter and it highlights the importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

​Pray the Prayer of the Aboriginal People to celebrate the gifts of Australia's first people to the Church in Australia.

Thursday
13TH JULY
Saint Henry (972-1024) 
​Saint Henry was King of Germany, Italy and Holy Roman Emperor. 
​
​Let us pray that the light of Christ will always guide us. (pause)
​O Lord, do not let us stray
from the right path, we pray, but help us follow the way of the Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.​

FRIday
14TH JULY
Pray Psalm 136 using a mandala. 
Use this linked template to draw a mandala.
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