Sunday
12TH AUGUST
 JOhn 6:41-51
13 August 
Saints Pontian and Hippolytus  
14 August 
Saint Maximilian Kolbe 
15 August
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
16 August
   Saint Stephen of Hungary
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
John 6:41-51
The bread I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world
​Gospel Reflection
How do you live in the company of God? 
Do you allow yourself to be nourished, by the Eucharist, or in other ways? 
Who do you live in communion with?
Do you acknowledge the great gift of whom they are? 
Image: Photo taken by Joshua O'Keeffe. Used with permission. 

Monday
13TH AUGUST
Listen - with the ear of the heart! 
Listen to this song, or another one that connects with you. 
As you listen, hold on to a word or phrase that speaks to you at this moment in time. 
Ask yourself why? Is there a story, memory, or moment that is being stirred within you as you listen. 
Share your lyrics, word, phrase or story with a friend or with your class.  
Image from:<https://pixabay.com/en/heart-earphones-object-listen-1187266/>  

Tuesday
14TH AUGUST
Saint Maximilian Kolbe 
“Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13  

St. Maximilian Kolbe was born as Raymund Kolbe on January 8, 1894, in Poland, and was then part of the Russian Empire. He was a Franciscan friar and died a martyr in the German death Camp of Auschwitz during World War II. 
Toward the end of his second month in Auschwitz, men were chosen to face death by starvation to warn against escapes. Kolbe was not chosen but volunteered to take the place of a man with a family. 
From <https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=370>  
What sacrifices do you make for others around you? 
When has someone made a sacrifice for you? 
 
Bring these moments and people in to your prayer this morning. Write a prayer of thanksgiving, and if you are comfortable, share it with a friend or your class. 
Image from: 
<https://pixabay.com/en/crucifix-christ-crucifixion-love-1802224/>  

Wednesday
15TH AUGUST
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
On this Feast of the Assumption of Mary, Catholics give thanks and praise for the holy and blessed life of Mary the Mother of Jesus. We celebrate how God has honoured her and welcomed her into heaven. 
Pray with an icon of Mary. 
Marian Icons 
Image from:
https://pixabay.com/en/picture-the-assumption-2519914/

Thursday
16TH AUGUST
Meditation: Mind, Body and Spirit as one
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (966) quotes the Byzantine Liturgy:
'in your Dormition (the passing of the Virgin Mary from earthly life) you did not leave the world, but were joined to the source of Life.’ 
This is a powerful confirmation that body and spirit are an integrated whole. Mary's Assumption is an anticipation of resurrection to fullness of life. The Assumption reminds us of the dignity of the body. 
 
Use this video to guide you through a body consciousness meditation. 
Image From:
<https://pixabay.com/en/zen-garden-meditation-monk-stones-2040340/>  

Friday
17TH AUGUST
God in the Ordinary 
Take a walk around your school and notice something beautiful that you haven't noticed before. 
Stop and give thanks for this thing of beauty... Perhaps it is a person, a flower, the sunshine, a tree, a piece of art, some students work, a sound. 
 
Formulate a prayer in your own words. It might be: 
A prayer of thanks; 
A prayer of praise; 
A prayer of blessing; 
A prayer of sorrow; 
A prayer of petition. 
​
Photo taken by Joshua O'Keeffe. Used with Permission.