Sunday
7th OCTOBER
27th Sunday in
ordinary time 
9 October  
   St Denis 
   St John Leonardi  
11 October  
   St John XXIII  
  
27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 
Mark 10:2-16
Today’s gospel reading from Mark talks about marriage. While the cultural context in First Century Palestine is different to today, Jesus highlighted the importance of communion in marriage. A scripture piece that is often used in wedding celebrations is 'So they are no longer two, but one' reminds us that in marriage each person is bound to the other in love and witnesses that they are made in the image and likeness of God. 
Gospel Reflection 
​Image from
Heart Shaped Bokeh 19 by Louri Goussev. 2009. Used with permission Creative Commons Licence, Flickr.  

Monday
8th OCTOBER
The Rosary
In October there is a special devotion to the Rosary. The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Jesus and Mary and was developed as a breathing prayer. The Rosary is a mantra; a centering prayer involving the repetition of a particular word or phrase as part of one’s breathing pattern.   

Take some time over the month of October and read the scripture stories associated with each of the mysteries of the Rosary. 
Learn more about the Rosary   
Image from
Rosary Beads, 2015. Public Domain. Used with permission Creative Commons Licence, Flickr. 

Tuesday
9th OCTOBER
​ ST DENIS  
   ST JOHN LEONARDI
The Feast day of St John Leonardi.  
St John Leonardi was born in Italy in 1541 and was a pharmacist before being ordained a priest in 1572. He gathered a group of followers and they worked in hospitals and prisons and ministered to the sick.  St John Leonardi is the patron saint of Pharmacists.  
Reflection
​Spend some time reading a quote from St John Leonardi.  What does the quote say to you? What does it mean for you today?  
Image from
Mosaic Cross by Denise Carbonell, 2008. Used with permission Creative Commons Licence, Flickr.  

Wednesday
10th OCTOBER
October is World Mission Month
This is about looking for ways to show God's love to those in our world who are in most need.  Jesus invited us to be His hands and feet and to go out to those in our community and beyond to meet and help the poor, the homeless, the sick, the suffering…  
How can you Sock it to Poverty?  
Prayer
Dear Lord, we pray for our own school community, that we may always share in the mission of Jesus in bringing fullness of life to all God’s children. 
Amen 
Image taken
Catholic Mission Logo. Used with permission, Catholic Mission Resource Pack, 2017.  

Thursday
11th OCTOBER
​  ST JOHN XXIII
The Feast Day of St John XXIII  
John XXIII was Pope from 1958 to 1963. As Pope he transformed the culture of the Vatican through his ministry to the sick, poor and prisoners. He was a man of mercy and compassion who sought to reform the Church.  
As Pope, John XXIII also opened the Second Vatican Council which sought to "throw open the windows of the Church so that the Church can see out and the people can see in".  
John XXIII was made a saint in 2014 by Pope Francis.  
Read more about the life of St John XXIII.  
Questions for reflection: 
How did St John XXIII live out the mission of Jesus in his time?  
How are we called the live the mission of Jesus in our communities?      
Image from
Life, by Manhhai, 2013. Used with permission Creative Commons Licence, Flickr.  

Friday
12TH OCTOBER
Create Your Own Prayer Pilgrimage
Creating your own prayer pilgrimage in your local context can be a great way to offer a retreat experience.  
Think about special places within the school / parish grounds that could be sacred places for a prayer pilgrimage. 
Some possibilities might include the foyer of the school, beside the school motto or Vision and Mission Statement; a place in the school grounds, the school Chapel or the parish Church.  
For each place along your pilgrimage path decide on a particular prayer focus such as: 
1. Start in school Chapel – pray for hope for the world. (Hope) 
2. Near school Motto on wall – pray for love in our hearts. (Love) 
3. Quiet place in the school grounds – pray for peace. (Peace) 
4. Corner of the library – pray for the gift of wisdom (Wisdom) 
5. In the playground – pray for forgiveness in our world and in our own hearts. (Forgiveness) 
  
You also could invite students to lead parents/ families  on the pilgrimage walk in your school.  
Image from
Santaurio Un Nuevo by Catedrales e lgleesias. 2013. Used with permission Creative Commons Licence, Flickr.