Sunday
22nd JULY
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 6: 30-34
We glimpse the openness and hospitality of the band Jesus gathered around him – ‘there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat’. Jesus suggests they cross the water to a ‘lonely place’ where they can ‘rest for a while’. He will teach them how to find the interior strength that comes from reflection and contemplation. 
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)
Gospel Reflection​
​Image: ​https://pixabay.com/en/man-solitude-tree-leaning-resting-1156543/

Monday
23rd JULY
Children's Prayer for Parents
Creator God,
Fill our parents with Your blessings:
enrich their souls and grant them patience. Inspire them to impart wisdom to their children.
May we, their children, be their joy here on earth. 
We pray that we learn to know and understand that all our actions and intentions start from our love for one another. Amen.
Image: https://pixabay.com/en/baby-hand-infant-child-father-2416718/​

Tuesday
24th JULY
Praying with Mandalas
Pray Psalm 136 using a mandala. 
Use this linked template to draw a mandala.
Image: https://pixabay.com/en/background-green-yellow-flower-1740107/

Wednesday
25TH JULY
Feast of St James 'the Greater'
Nothing is known of St. James the Greater's early life, though it has been established that he is the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of John the disciple.
Fun Fact!
The title "the Greater" was added to St. James' name to distinguish him from the Apostle James "the Less," who is believed to have been shorter than James "the Greater."
Saint James the Greater was one of Jesus' first disciples. James spread the Gospel across Israel and the Roman kingdom. He travelled and spread the Word for nearly forty years in Spain.
James returned to Jerusalem but was martyred for his faith by King Herod. He was not allowed to be buried following his martyrdom, so his remains were taken to Compostela, Spain, by some of his followers, who buried him. In the ninth century his remains were discovered and moved to a tomb in Santiago de Compostela. Today, his remains can still be found in the Cathedral of Santiago. It became a shrine of  pilgrimage, known as The  Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James) and today is the most frequently visited for modern pilgrims. At least 250 000 pilgrims walk the Camino de Santiago (over 700 kms) every year. 
Adapted:  https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=59
Prayer
God of The Way,
Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our shelter on the Camino,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements and our strengths in our intentions.  So, that with your guidance we may arrive safe and sound at the end of the Road and enriched with grace and virtue when we return safely to our homes filled with joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
St James, pray for us.
St Mary, pray for us.
http://www.206tours.com/info/elcamino/prayers.htm​
​Image: https://pixabay.com/en/jakobsweg-pilgrim-pilgrimage-747482/

Thursday
26th JULY
The Sign of the Cross
The sign of the Cross is probably the most often used prayer of Christians and for many, the first prayer they learned as children.
​ “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
​Despite its simplicity, the sign of the Cross is an ancient prayer rich in meaning. It is believed that it was in use during the earliest days of Christianity.
​Use the linked resource to lead a reflection on the Sign of the Cross. ​
Image: https://pixabay.com/en/cross-sky-clouds-christian-cross-1149878/

friday
27th JULY
Read the following prayer
This prayer is attributed to Saint Patrick (390-461 C.E.).
Sign of the Cross....
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort me and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger. 
Silent Reflection: What does the prayer say about living sustainably in terms of self, others and the natural world?
End with a Sign of the Cross.

https://www.catholicity.com/prayer/saint-patricks-breastplate.html
Image: https://pixabay.com/en/sunset-peace-solitude-calm-nature-1207326/