RE News

A short reflection – “In Uncertain Times” – (1.34.mins)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xqrp7pv7x0zy2d8/In%20Uncertain%20Times.mpg?dl=0

Praying with children at this time

Here is a small collection of prayers. You might like to choose one that suits your family.

A Prayer for School at Home

Dear God,

Bless us as we do our school work at home.

Help us to do our best as we read and write,

think and problem solve, design and create.

Help us to be kind to our brothers and sisters

and all those in our family.

Please take care of our friends

and help us to enjoy being connected via ZOOM!

Lord Jesus, bless us all with your peace and strength.

Amen

A Prayer for my Family

Dear Jesus,

Please bless me and my family. Please keep us safe and well.

St Roch, pray for us and keep all sickness from us.

St Gerard, pray for us and always keep us a happy family.

Amen

A prayer remembering God is with us

Lord God, you are always with me.

You are with me in the day and in the night.

You are with me when I’m happy and when I’m sad.

You are with me when I’m healthy and when I am ill.

You are with me when I am peaceful and when I am worried.

Today I am feeling (name how you are feeling) because (reasons you are feeling this way).

Help me to remember that you love me and are with me in everything today.

Amen.

A prayer for the world

God of love and hope,

you made the world and care for all creation,

but the world feels strange right now.

The news is full of stories about Coronavirus.

Some people are worried that they might get ill.

Others are anxious for their family and friends.

Be with them and help them to find peace.

We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists,

and all who are working to discover the right medicines

to help those who are ill.

Thank you that even in these anxious times,

you are with us.

Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe.

Amen.

Holy Week

Holy Week is the most important week in the Church’s year. It begins with Palm Sunday when we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. He comes in humility and as a man of peace. Crowds of people praised and honoured him as a king, waving palm branches and laying their cloaks on the ground for Jesus. The people had long awaited the coming of a Messiah who would be a king, a great warrior like King David, who would free the Israelites of the Roman occupation.

Rather, this Messiah came as the humble servant who washed the feet of his disciples and asked them to do the same for others. On Holy Thursday night we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. Before the meal Jesus washed his friends feet as a sign that he came to serve people not to rule over them. During the meal Jesus changed the bread and wine into his own body and blood. He asked the disciples to remember him in the breaking of bread and sharing of wine.

After the supper, Jesus went to the garden to pray to his Father. There he was taken prisoner. He was put on trial, suffered great pain and was sentenced to death. On Good Friday Jesus carried his heavy cross to Calvary and was crucified.

Jesus had given of himself totally throughout his life. He had touched and healed the unclean, the poor and the sick; he forgave and restored people to their communities. Such actions were seen by some as false teaching, as undermining the Law and as threatening those in power.

Jesus came to proclaim the Good News of the Reign of God. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. His commitment to His Mission led to His crucifixion. Jesus freely chose to continue his work despite the dangers of rejection and death. His life, passion, death and resurrection became our salvation. The Church, filled with the Holy Spirit, continues Jesus’ mission.

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. It is also called Passion Sunday. Later in the week the Easter Triduum begins on Holy Thursday – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday. Let us take the opportunity to make these days reflective and prayerful.

Our Holy Week Prayer

Holy God,

 We faithfully remember

 The way of love that led Jesus

 To lay down his life for us, his friends.

 May we always hold this love in our hearts,

 And live it in our daily lives,

 So that we may follow more closely

 The way of Jesus.

 Amen.