A document to support Diocesan schools in planning Collective Worship that has the Word of God at its heart, incorporates the Church’s liturgical year, its seasons and feasts, and provides opportunities for promoting Catholic Social Teaching.   

 

‘THE GOD WHO SPEAKS’ – THE YEAR OF THE WORD 

2020 was the 10th anniversary of Verbum Domini – Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Exhortation on ‘The Word of the Lord’ and the 1,600 anniversary of St Jerome’s death. These dates inspired the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales to dedicate 2020 as a year of focus on the Bible and ‘The God Who Speaks’. We continue to encourage reading and understanding of scripture . Resources here  https://www.godwhospeaks.uk/about-the-bible/

LAUDATO SI’

In May 2020 Pope Francis inaugurated “Laudato Si’ Week” at the Vatican commemorating the 5th anniversary of the publication of his eco-encyclical with the same title, opening a wider year-long commemoration of the document aimed at spurring global citizens to adopt more sustainable practices.

As communities begin to envision what a post-COVID world will look Laudato Si’ continues to provide “the moral and spiritual compass for the journey to create a more caring, fraternal, peaceful and sustainable world.” Encyclical Resources from CAFOD here – https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Laudato-Si-encyclical 

COMMON PRAYER FOR LAUDATO SI’

Loving God,

Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them,

You created us in your image and made us stewards of all your creation, of our common home.

You blessed us with the sun, water and bountiful land

so that all might be nourished.

Open our minds and touch our hearts,

so that we may attend to your gift of creation.

Help us to be conscious that our common home belongs not only to us,

but to all future generations, and that it is our responsibility to preserve it.

May we help each person secure the food and resources that they need.

Be present to those in need in these trying times,

especially the poorest and those most at risk of being left behind.

Transform our fear, anxiety and feelings of isolation into hope

so that we may experience a true conversion of the heart.

Help us to show creative solidarity in addressing the consequences of this global pandemic,

Make us courageous to embrace the changes that are needed in search of the common good,

Now more than ever may we feel that we are all interconnected,

in our efforts to lift up the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.   Amen

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING 

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a central and essential part of our faith. It is rooted in Scripture that tells of God’s special love for the poor and marginalised and calls us to be bearers of love and justice. It is teaching founded on the words and actions of Jesus who identified himself with the hungry and thirsty, the sick and the imprisoned, the naked and the stranger – the ‘least of my brothers and sisters’. CST is formed by the wisdom of Church leaders and provides us with a moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world. Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation so, with care for our common home and the dignity of every human person at its heart, CST compels us to make present in our unjust and broken world the justice, love and peace of God, especially to our sisters and brothers living in poverty

SEVEN THEMES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING 

  • Human Dignity 
  • Rights & Responsibilities 
  • Concern for the Poor 
  • Solidarity & the Common Good
  • Family
  • Community & Participation
  • The Dignity of Work
  • Care of Creation

Throughout the liturgical year there are countless opportunities for schools to focus upon aspects of CST and bring reflections on global justice and poverty into their worship activities. Using the language of CST and drawing children and young people into a deeper understanding of its principles will inspire and empower them to respond to inequality and injustice in the modern world, leading them to seek ways to put their faith in action in school, in the local community and in the wider world. This document suggests ideas and opportunities for promoting CST in schools as a supplement to the excellent and varied work that is already taking place in Diocesan schools with regards to CST and social action. 

Further information and resources for CST can be found at:

CARITAS DIOCESE OF SHREWSBURY

Caritas is the social action and social justice agency of the Diocese of Shrewsbury that seeks to work with children, families and communities throughout the Diocese. They support families with a range of concerns for example mental health, addiction, domestic abuse and family breakdown. They offer practical support to those living in poverty, in partnership with SVP and local foodbanks. They also give support to refugees and those seeking asylum. 

Each Lent schools can support Caritas by fund raising for the Good Shepherd collection and Caritas offers opportunities for Caritas Ambassadors in schools. If you would like to know more see https://www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk/about/  or email [email protected] 

THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

The St Vincent de Paul Society in England and Wales, through its Mini Vinnies and Youth SVP programmes, encourages children and young people to develop their faith and spirituality in order to put their faith into action; in service to the disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised of society. F or more information see https://www.svp.org.uk/involve-young-people

MISSIO

Missio is the Pope’s official Charity for Overseas Missions. It is the Holy Father’s chosen instrument for sharing the Gospel and building the Church throughout the world. Their secondary resources encourage students to reflect on their role in building the Kingdom of God for all people and aim to help young people to: discover the world around them and reflect on their role within it; think critically, inspired by Christ’s Gospel; to embrace Catholic Social Teaching and to grow in faith. Secondary schools can download their free resources to follow the Liturgical Year, including Advent and Lent. They also have a series of workshops explaining the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and https://missio.org.uk/general-resources/ 

For primary schools Mission Together is the children’s’ branch of Missio, encouraging children to pray, fundraise and become missionaries themselves – children helping children. They provide primary school resources throughout the year focused on the Gospel, liturgical seasons and on our various overseas projects including assemblies, liturgies, activities, posters and aids to prayer. All resources are available from https://missiontogether.org.uk/teachers-resources/ 

CAFOD 

CAFOD is the official international development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and is active within the global Caritas family.

CAFOD provide a wide range of resources for primary and secondary schools and have Diocesan volunteers who can help you to promote CAFOD and CST in your school. See  https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Education-resources and https://cafod.org.uk/Volunteer/CAFOD-in-your-area/Shrewsbury 

FAITH IN ACTION AWARD

The CYMFED Faith in Action award scheme is a great opportunity to encourage and inspire young people to get more involved in the community and in local Parishes. Open to pupils from Y6 upwards the Faith in Action award aims:

  • To celebrate the faith journey of young people
  • To celebrate what already happens
  • To encourage tangible living faith in the ‘real world’
  • To strengthen links between individuals, communities and organisations
  • To explore the universal call to holiness
  • To work for the Good News and the common good

 Schools who wish to participate must contact the Youth Office at [email protected] 

WEEK BEGINNINGLITURGICAL THEME FEAST DAYS/

SPECIAL DAYS

THOUGHT FOR WEEKOPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
SEPTEMBER
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for September – For people living on the margins: We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance. Watch the ‘Pope Videos’ each month https://thepopevideo.org/                                  Season of Creation 

CST Care for Creation

4 SeptemberFollow me “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him take up his cross and follow me.”.”

Matthew 16:21-27

22nd Week of Ordinary Time       

5th St Teresa of Calcutta

“Let us not forget: if we are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, our lives must bear witness to what we preach.”

Pope Francis

Tuesday 1st World Day of Prayer for Creation – the start of Creation Time which runs until 4th October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi.

https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources 

https://catholicclimatemovement.global/

11 September Listening to each other “For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.”

Matthew 18:15-20

23rd Week of Ordinary Time

10th Education Sunday 

“Just look at what we can do when we come together.”

Marcus Rashford

https://www.cte.org.uk/Groups/234838/Home/Resources/Education_Sunday/Education_Sunday.aspx
18 SeptemberJustice “Lord, how many times do I have to forgive?”

Matthew 18:21-35

24th Week of Ordinary Time

17th Evangelii Gaudium Sunday – 1st celebration 

21st St Matthew 

21st UN International Day of Peace 

“When a deep injury is done to us, we never heal until we forgive.”

Nelson Mandela

21st  International Day of Peace https://internationaldayofpeace.org/

https://paxchristi.net/2020/07/06/catholic-nonviolence-days-of-action/

25 SeptemberGenerosity God’s generosity – “The last will be first, and the first, last.”

Matthew20:1-16  

25th Week of Ordinary Time 

24th Harvest Sunday 

27th Feast of St. Vincent de Paul 

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”  

John Wooden 

https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Harvest-prayers 

27th Feast of St. Vincent de Paul – Mini 

Vinnies/Youth SVP 

OCTOBER
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for October 

For the Synod We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit to all the corners of the world.

Black History MonthMonth of the Rosary
2 OctoberMaking choices “Which of the two did the father’s will?”

Matthew 21:28-32

26th Week of Ordinary Time

Bishop Mark – Anniversary of succession  

1st Oct St Therese of Lisieux

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/13713/105760/version/1/file/Secondary_Prayer%20Card_St_Therese_of_Lisieux1.pdf 

 Season of Creation ends – 

4th St Francis of Assisi 

Friday 6th  October  CAFOD Harvest Fast Day

Day of Prayer for Needy and Hungry of the World

God could not have chosen anyone less qualified, or more of a sinner, than myself. And so, for this wonderful work he intends to perform through us, He selected me- for God always chooses the weak and the absurd, and those who count for nothing.”

St. Francis of Assisi 

.

4th St Francis of Assisi

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/11733/91933/version/4/file/St_Francis_of_Assisi.pdf

Friday 6th CAFOD Harvest Fast Day https://cafod.org.uk/News/Events/Harvest-Fast-Day

9 OctoberOur responsibility “The Kingdom of God will be given to a people who will produce its fruit.”

Matthew 21:33-43

27th Week of Ordinary Time 

Sunday 8th Day of Prayer for Prisoners and their dependents

10th World Mental Health Day 2023

 

“Good intentions are simply not enough. Our character is defined, and our lives are determined not by what we want, say, or think, but by what we do.”

Michael Josephson

Prisons Week

https://prisonsweek.org/ 

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/helloyellow/ 

16 OctoberEquality God invites you into his Kingdom 

Matthew 22:1-14

28th Week of Ordinary Time

Sunday 15th World Missions Sunday

16th World Food Day 

18th St Luke 

“Pay attention to the hungry, both in this country and around the world. Pay attention to the poor. Pay attention to our responsibilities for world peace. We are our brother’s keeper…” George McGovern Sunday 15th  World Missions Sunday 

https://missio.org.uk/what-is-world-mission-sunday/

Friday16th World Food Day – Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together

23 October Citizenship “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Matthew 22:15-21

29th Week in Ordinary Time “We know that every effort to better society, especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained, is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us.”

St Oscar Romero

HALF TERM HOLIDAY 
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for November – For the Pope : We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfills his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.International Men’s MonthMonth of Remembrance
30 OctoberDoing the right thing The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

1st All Saints Day – Holy Day of Obligation 

2nd All Souls Day

3rd St Winefride – patron of the diocese

3rd St Martin de Porres 

“Saints are not supermen who are born perfect but rather are ordinary folk who followed God with all their heart.”

Pope Francis

3rd St Martin de Porres

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/7064/58844/version/6/file/St_Martin%20de%20Porres_V2.pdf 

6 NovemberRemembrance “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:1-12

31st Week of Ordinary Time “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

Albert Pine

13 NovemberUsing your talents “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Matthew 25:1-13 

32nd  Week of Ordinary Time

11th Remembrance Day

12th  Remembrance Sunday 

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/remembrance-sunday

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

Leo Buscaglia

13th – 17th November  Anti-Bullying Week

https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

Thursday19th World Toilet Day https://www.worldtoiletday.info/ 

Or use CAFOD’s World Toilet Day Assembly

Friday20th Universal Children’s Day https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-childrens-day  

 

20 November Helping the poor “First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.”

Matthew 23:14-30

19th World Day of Prayer for the Poor 

22nd Red Wednesday 

“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.”

― Dom Helder Camara

Red Wednesday – highlighting Christian Persecution and Suffering https://acnuk.org/our-campaigns/red-wednesday/ 

https://www.csan.org.uk/worlddayofthepoor/

27 NovemberAmnesty international Christ the King says “Whatever you do to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.” 

Matthew 25:31-46 

Last Week of Ordinary Time – Christ the Universal King

also National Youth Sunday

 30th St Andrew

“Dear young people, do not bury your talents, the gifts that God has given you!  Do not be afraid to dream of great things!” Pope Francis  http://www.nationalyouthsunday.org.uk/ 

https://homemission.org.uk/home/youth/ 

1st World Aids Day https://www.worldaidsday.org/

https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Secondary-and-youth-resources/HIV-and-AIDS-animation

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for December – For persons with disabilities We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the centre of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.Advent
4 December When the going gets tough “Stay awake!”

Mark 13:33-37 

1st Week of Advent: 

Sunday Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees

8th Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary 

But freedom was measured, he supposed, by what you were leaving behind.”

― Mick Herron

 
11 DecemberBe Prepared “A voice cries in the wilderness – prepare the way for the Lord.”

Mark 1:1-8 

2nd Week of Advent

Bible Sunday 

““Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.” Anonymous
WEEK BEGINNINGLITURGICAL THEME FEAST DAYS/

SPECIAL DAYS

THOUGHT FOR WEEKOPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
18 DecemberHero’s “He came as a witness to speak for the light.”

John 1:6-8,19-28

3rd Week of Advent

“Every day you are witnessing. What are you witnessing to? Your witness is the total package of your attitudes, character, and actions. It does not lie.”

Winkie Pratney

18th International Migrants Day 

https://www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk/services/refugee-project/

https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Secondary-and-youth-resources/Refugee-resources 

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for January -.FOR THE GIFT OF DIVERSITY IN THE CHURCH  We pray that the Holy Spirit may help us to recognise the gift of different charisms within the Christian community and to discover the richness of different traditions and rituals in the Catholic Church.
1 January Our Holy family “for my eyes have seen your salvation,

   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,’

Luke 2:22-40

The Holy Family

1st Mary the Mother of God  

“If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady, just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit, this prayer has never failed me.”

-St Mother Teresa of Calcutta

1st January World Day of Peace – see Pope Francis’ new year message of peace
8 JanuaryServing others “Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:1-12

The Epiphany of the Lord 

8th The Baptism of the Lord 

“No one has ever become poor by giving.” 

Anne Frank

.
15 JanuaryFaithful to Christ “What do you want?”

John 1:35-42

2nd Week in Ordinary Time “Create the highest grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.” 

Oprah Winfrey

Day of special prayer for world peace

https://www.paxchristi.net/

22 JanuaryWitness “Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.”

Mark 1:14-20

3rd Week in Ordinary Time 

Sunday of the Word of God https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-01/sunday-word-of-god-fisichella-press-conference.html 

“Never underestimate the influence you have on others.”     

Laurie Buchanan

27th St Angela Merici https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/12549/97594/version/5/file/St_Angela.pdf 

27th Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 Theme – 

https://www.hmd.org.uk/what-is-holocaust-memorial-day/this-years-theme/ 

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for February – OR THE TERMINALLY ILL We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.
WEEK BEGINNINGLITURGICAL THEME FEAST DAYS/

SPECIAL DAYS

THOUGHT FOR WEEKOPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
29 January Authority “Here is teaching that is new and has authority behind it.”

Mark 1:21-28

4th Week in Ordinary Time

Sunday 31st Racial Justice Sunday

2nd The Presentation of the Lord 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. 

https://ctbi.org.uk/category/witnessing-together/racial-justice/ 

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/7064/58844/version/6/file/St_Martin%20de%20Porres_V2.pdf 

5  FebruaryHealing “He cured many who were suffering…….”

Mark: 1:29-39

5th Week in Ordinary Time

Childrens Mental Health Week 

Thursday 11th Our Lady of Lourdes – World Day of Prayer for the Sick

“There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” 

Edith Wharton

https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/about/ 

8th St Josephine Bakita – Day of Prayer for Trafficked People

https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Secondary-and-youth-resources/Saints-prayer-cards

https://www.caritas.org/2016/02/international-day-prayer-awareness-human-trafficking/

12 February Choose Christ “Jesus…said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’”

Mark 1:40-45

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

14th Ash Wednesday 

“What happens when people open their hearts?”

“They get better.”

― Haruki Murakami

HALF TERM HOLIDAY – I have still put the Sundays in as half-terms vary – check against your school calendar
19 February Good News “Repent and believe the Good News.”

Mark 1:12-15

1st Week of Lent “Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!”

Anne Frank

Check out CAFOD’s & Missio Ash Wednesday and Lent resources
26 February Awe and Wonder Rabbi, it is wonderful for us to be here.”

Mark 9:2-10

2ndt Week of Lent

1st St David

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/8846/72202/version/6/file/St_David.pdf 

1st March Women’s World Day of Prayer

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” 

Henri Nouwen

Support Caritas Shrewsbury https://www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk/get-involved/good-shepherd-collection/

Fairtrade fortnight begins 

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get%20involved/Current-campaigns/Fairtrade-Fortnight 

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for March – FOR THE NEW MARTYRS – We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.Women’s History MonthLent
4 MarchPerception “Jesus could tell what a person had in him.”

John 2:13-25

3rd Week of Lent “Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking.”

J.C. Watts

Friday 8th International Women’s Day https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
11 MarchTruthfulness ‘The person who lives by the truth comes into the light.”

John 3:14-21

4th Week of Lent 

17th St Patrick 

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/13711/105751/version/2/file/St_Patrick.pdf 

“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” 

Maya Angelou

Friday 20th International Day of Happiness https://www.dayofhappiness.net/#join
18 MarchPersecution If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.

John 12:20-33

5th Week of Lent

19th St Joseph, husband of Mary 

Tuesday 24th St Oscar Romero (See resources from CAFOD and Missio)

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/24491/175828/version/4/file/St%20Oscar%20Romero%20Saint%20Card.pdf 

“Whoever out of love for God gives oneself to the service of others will live, like the grain of wheat that dies, but only apparently… Only in undoing itself does it produce the harvest.” 
St Oscar Romero
Sunday 22nd World Water Day – https://www.unwater.org/what-we-do/inspireaction/ 

https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Secondary-and-youth-resources/Water-resources 

EASTER HOLIDAY  24th March – Palm Sunday; Maundy Thursday – 28th ; Good Friday – 29th ; Easter Sunday – 31st March
25 March  Good news “Wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.

Mark 14:1-15, 47

Palm Sunday

28th Maundy Thursday 

“Don’t just count your blessings. Be the blessing other people count on.”

Anonymous

Holy Week 
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for April – FOR THE ROLE OF WOMEN We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognised in every culture, and for the end 

of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.

15 April Trust He then opened their minds to understand….”

Luke 24:35-48

3rd week of Easter “Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”

William Shakespeare

22 AprilFinding the lost ‘I am the good shepherd.”

John 10:11-18

4th Week of Easter

23rd St George

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/9674/77748/version/3/file/Secondary_prayer%20card_St%20George.pdf 

25th St Mark 

I think about how the Lord never sleeps nor slumbers as He watches over us. When I lie across the door of the sheep pen to guard the sheep, I remember that He is my protection.”

― Emmanuel Onimisi

https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/ 

22nd Earth Day https://www.earthday.org/earthday/countdown-to-2020/

29 AprilOur values “I am the vine, you are the branches.”

John 15:1-8

5th Week of Easter

29th St Catherine of Siena

https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/9573/77082/version/3/file/St_Catherine.pdf 

1st May – St Joseph the Worker

The purpose of pruning is to improve the quality of the roses, not to hurt the bush.”

Florence Littauer

1st May St Joseph the Worker – Day of Prayer for Human Work
WEEK BEGINNINGLITURGICAL THEME FEAST DAYS/

SPECIAL DAYS

THOUGHT FOR WEEKOPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for May –FOR THE FORMATION OF RELIGIOUS AND SEMINARIANS We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.
6 MayFriendship “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

John 15:9-17

6th Week of Easter

9th  The Ascension of the Lord

“““I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.”

Plutarch

13 May Courage  “They belong to the world no more than I belong to the world.”

John 17:11-19

7th Week of Easter

Sunday – World Communications Day

Mental health awareness week

“Have the courage to ‘swim against the tide’. Have the courage to be happy.”

Pope Francis

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week 
20 MaySpirit filled “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you: receive the Holy Spirit.”

John 20:19-23

Pentecost Sunday 

23rd Lord Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest 

“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!”

St. Catherine of Sienna

HALF TERM 
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for June – FOR MIGRANTS FLEEING THEIR HOMES

We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive them.

3 JuneCommunity “Take it, this is my body.”

Mark 14:12-16,22-26

Corpus Christi – the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ “In union there is strength.”

Aesop

Tuesday 8th World Oceans Day https://www.worldoceansday.org/

http://www.webofcreation.org/SeasonofCreation/ocean.html

https://www.arocha.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Prayer-for-the-Oceans.pdf

10  JuneFamily ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’

Mark 3:20-35

10th Week in Ordinary Time “Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect.”

― Brené Brown

17 June Making a difference “The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.”

Mark 4:26-34

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time  “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

WEEK BEGINNINGLITURGICAL THEME FEAST DAYS/

SPECIAL DAYS

THOUGHT FOR WEEKOPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
23 June Refugee

Week

“Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.”.”

Mark 4:35-41

12th Week in Ordinary Time “It is better to make a thousand failures than to be too cowardly to ever undertake anything.” 

Clovis G. Chappell 

World Refugee Week https://refugeeweek.org.uk/resources/education-resources/

22nd Sts Thomas More and John Fisher – Day of prayer for those who suffer persecution, oppression and denial of human rights. 

30 JuneHaving faith “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

Matthew 16:13-19

SS Peter and Paul

3rd July St Thomas 

“I would have preferred someone else to have been in charge of rescuing this story, but once again life has taught me that my role is to be a witness, not the leading actor.”― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for July- FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK -We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all
8 JulyAccepting others “They would not accept him.”

Mark 6:1-6

14th Week in Ordinary Time “One of the secrets of life is that all that is worth the doing is what we do for others.”

Lewis Carroll 

15 JulyGoing out into the World “Take nothing with you.”

Mark 6:7-13

15th Week of Ordinary Time  “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”

William Wordsworth

22 JulyTaking rest “You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while.”

Mark 6:30-34

16th Week of Ordinary Time “Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”

Ovid

 

The colour of the shading is indicative of the Liturgical colours used by the Church at different times or seasons of the year. 

Green:  ‘Ordinary Time’ refers to the part of the year outside the seasons of Advent-Christmas and Lent-Easter. There are 33/34 weeks of Ordinary Time. During this time the Church helps us to reflect on the life and work of Jesus. The liturgical colour for Ordinary Time is green, a colour seen everywhere in trees and plants and a symbol of life and hope.

Purple is used during Advent and Lent as a sign of penance, sacrifice and preparation. At the midpoint of both of these seasons—Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday of Advent) and Laetare Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Lent—rose (pink) vestments are traditionally worn as a sign of joy: we rejoice at the midpoint because we are half-way through the preparation and anticipate the coming joy of Christmas or Easter.

Rose is a lighter version of purple because it signifies the penitential purple is mixed with the white of the approaching festival. In both Advent and Lent there is a moment when the atmosphere of penance is brightened by a glimpse of light from the glorious season for which we are preparing ourselves. The third Sunday of Advent tells us ‘Gaudéte, rejoice!’ because the Lord is near and the fourth Sunday of Lent says ‘Laetáre, Ierúsalem, be joyful, Jerusalem, and all who love her!’ because she herself is loved by the Lord.

Red symbolizes the shedding of blood and is therefore used on Palm Sunday (when Christ entered Jerusalem to prepare for His death), Good Friday, any other commemoration of the Lord’s passion, the votive Mass of the Precious Blood, the days marking the martyrdom of the apostles (except St. John), and the feasts of other martyrs who offered their lives for the faith. However, red also signifies the burning fire of God’s love. For this reason, red vestments are won on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and tongues of fire rested on their heads and for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

White or gold, a colour symbolizing rejoicing and purity of soul, is worn during the liturgical seasons of Christmas and Easter. White vestments are also used for feasts of our Lord (except those pertaining to His passion), the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, and the saints who were not martyrs.