Term 4 Week 35
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1 - 7
NOVEMBER ORDINARY TIME |
Sunday
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1 November All Saints
Matthew 5:1-12 Living Faith gives students an opportunity to engage in a short Liturgy of the Word, reflecting on the Sunday Gospel. Living Faith Sways Primary, Secondary and Family Living Faith PDFs Primary, Secondary and Family Teacher Background Image: Jesus Christ Sacred Heart - https://pixabay.com/images/id-1844445/ |
Monday
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All Souls Day (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed)
Similar to All Saints Day, today Christians celebrate and remember all who have “gone before us, marked with the sign of faith”. Families remember their relatives who have died and pray for them. This day is part of the belief in the Church that our journey to God does not end with our earthly death: that even after death, some are still journeying to an eternal life in God. In some cultures, people visit graveyards and even eat picnics at the graves of loved ones, celebrating their belief in life after death and their ongoing connection with loved ones who have died. For prayer today, invite students to think of the names of family members, friends, fellow students, school community members, people in the news who have died and whose names they wish to place in prayer and remembrance before God. Students may like to light a candle for the people they have named and in the silence and stillness pass the candle. The class could end the prayer with the traditional prayer for the dead: Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. Image: Angel All Souls - https://pixabay.com/images/id-4538188/ |
Tuesday
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St. Martin de Porres
St Martin was born in Lima, Peru on December 9, 1579. Martin's mother was a slave and his father abandoned them leaving them to live in poverty. At this time, descendants of Africans or Indians were not permitted to become full members of religious orders. He worked very hard to be accepted into the Monastery and did volunteer work. Martin was praised for his unconditional care of all people, regardless of race or wealth and after eight years was allowed to take his vows. He took care of everyone from the Spanish nobles to the African slaves. Martin didn't care if the person was diseased or dirty, he would welcome them into his own home. Pray: St Martin we prayerfully lift up our hearts to you filled with serene confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you. Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your solicitous and generous intercession; show to the people of every race and every colour the paths of unity and of justice. Amen. Image: St Martin de Porres - https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=306 |
Wednesday
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St Charles Borromeo
At the age of 12, the young Count Charles Borromeo dedicated himself to a life of service to the Church. Life sped up for the young count after his uncle, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Medici became Pope Pius IV on December 25, 1559. The new pope asked his nephew to come to Rome and appointed him as a cardinal-deacon. With the rank came the job of assisting and advising his uncle full-time. A month later, Pope Pius IV made his nephew a cardinal. Borromeo's correspondence shows his influential position in Europe during his lifetime. The popes under whom he served sought his advice. The Catholic sovereigns of Europe – Henry III of France, Philip II of Spain, Mary, Queen of Scots – and others showed how they valued his influence. He led the effort to fight the Protestant Reformation. Image: St Charles Borromeo - https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=212 |
Thursday
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Pray for a friend in need
Take two minutes of silent and still reflection to think: “Who is the neighbour who needs my love and support right here and right now?” Is it a family member? The person you will sit beside in class today? The person who will sit alone in the playground today? The person whom no one will sit beside on the bus or train? End the reflection with a prayer similar to the following: Abba God, you love each one of us unconditionally. Help us, through the power of your Spirit, to show some of that love to someone who really needs to know it today. May the goodness and kindness we show today, be a sign to them of your love. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen. Image: Intergration - https://pixabay.com/images/id-3527263/ |
Friday
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Prayer for all Humanity
Bless us all, 0 Lord, we pray, for loved ones, here and near, and far away. And everyone for whom we pray. Keep us safe each night and day, the homeless who have no place to stay. Those who are suffering in any way. The dying, those mourning or grieving and all who need God's mercy. Keep us safe, Heavenly Father, when we are at home, or travelling on our way, or when we are vulnerable, or in danger in any way. Most merciful Father, hear us as we pray for the souls in Purgatory, or who may be sent there some day. Image: Team - vait_mcright - https://pixabay.com/images/id-386673/ |