SUNday
15 th July
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 6:7-13
Teacher Background
Today’s gospel reading from Mark recalls a development in the mission of Jesus that concerns us all. Jesus makes his disciples sharers in his mission. 
Prayer
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. ​
Image: https://pixabay.com/en/way-path-outdoor-landscape-nature-918900/ 

MONday
16TH JULY
Our Lady of Mount Carmel 
This feast was instituted by the Carmelites in the 1300s. It was day very much celebrated in Mediterranean Europe. The object of the feast has special significance for those profess themselves to be her followers by wearing her scapular.
Find about more about what a scapular is a Catholic artefact. 

Prayer 
O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel,  Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me the way as a Mother would. 
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, I humbly ask this from the bottom of my heart. Pray for us Holy Mary. (3 times) 
Mary Mother of God, I place this prayer in your hands. (3times)  
https://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=8236 
Image: Google Images

Tuesday
17TH JULY
Preparing the Sacred Space for a new term
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 new and refreshed sacred space.  Have the students be intentional in this creation to reflect a meaningful and purposeful. 
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 create variety in your daily prayer routines. Look for alternative  possible places (chapel, prayer room, church, garden, playground) for students to pray. 
Image: © BCE Image

Wednesday
18TH JULY
International Mandela Day 
#ActionAgainstPoverty 
Mandela Day calls on us all, every day, to make the world a better place. Each year on 18 July we look back on what has been done, and forward to what will be done.  Making every day a Mandela Day celebrates Madiba’s life and legacy in a sustainable way that will bring about enduring change. 
This year as we celebrate 100 years since Nelson Mandela’s birth.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela 
https://www.mandeladay.com/ 
Prayer 
L: This day we give thanks for the life of Nelson Mandela. He led a nation on a long walk to freedom. He fought for reconciliation and not retribution.  
He argued for peace in place of war. 
All: Lord, we give you thanks for Madiba. 
L:When other surrendered to darkness he kept faith with the promise of tomorrow. He envisioned a path to “heal the wounds of the past...with the intent of constructing a new order based on justice for all.” His work inspired the world. 
All: Lord, we give you thanks for Madiba. 
By Rev Dr Chuck Currie 2014. 
​​Image: ​https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nelson_Mandela-2008_(edit)_(cropped).jpg

Thursday
19TH JULY
A Prayer for Peace of Mind
Prepare students by bringing into stillness.
Feet on the ground, eyes closed and concentrate on breathing.
When students are ready ask them to open eyes and watch this short video on the prayer.
https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1705​
Follow this with the class saying the prayer with recontextualised lens.

Prayer
God of Peace help me find the strength  grace of the Holy Spirit.  Guide me to find peace for my soul  so I can learn to be free from worry. Help me to focus on good thoughts and positive thinking so that Your will may be my will. Amen
Image: BCE

FRIday
20TH JULY
St Apollinaris
​Bishop, martyr, and possible disciple  of St. Peter. Apollinaris was born in Antioch, Turkey and became the first bishop of Ravenna, in Italy. He suffered exile because of his preaching and converts.
When Emperor Vespasian banished Christians, Apollinaris was beaten by a mob and reputedly died soon after from his wounds. His shrine in the Benedictine Abbey of Classe in Ravenna was once a popular pilgrimage destination. 
Apollinaris is depicted as a bishop in liturgical art.
The first Christians at Antioch were known as The Way. Watch this short video.
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1486
​Image
​https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1486