A Resource for Primary Schools

Transcription

1 SEEDLINGS A Resource for Primary Schools Autumn

2 Content September: The Catholic School September: Mass for the Opening of the School Year September: Prayer Service for the School Year. October: Prayer Service for the Little Flower. October: Thanksgiving for Harvest. November: Prayer Service for All Saints. Calendar of Feast-days The Diocese has a new website which contains Resources for Primary Schools. 2

3 WHAT IS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL? THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Offers a distinctive vision of life and corresponding philosophy of education based on the Gospel. Strives to create a learning environment where every child is encouraged and enabled to develop to their own full and unique potential as human beings, made in the image and likeness of God. Seeks to form pupils who will use their gifts for the common good and are committed to work for a more just and caring society. Is welcoming and inclusive community that is respectful and tolerant of all traditions and beliefs. Works in partnership with parents and the parish community to keep the light of faith received at baptism burning brightly. Provides opportunities for worship through prayer and the celebration of liturgy and the sacraments. REFLECTION FOR STAFF How does someone who walks through the door of your school know that they are in a Catholic School? 3

4 MASS FOR THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR OPENING HYMN Gather Round: Alive O5, Teacher s Book, page 55 PENITENTIAL RITE Lord God, at the beginning you created people to be like you. Lord, have mercy. Response: Lord, have mercy Lord God, all people have sinned and turned away from you. Christ, have mercy. Response: Christ, have mercy. Lord God, you continually offer us new beginnings. Lord, have mercy. Response: Lord, have mercy. OPENING PRAYER O God, of new beginnings, we know that this is a year full of promise and possibility. Enfold us in your love and fill us with your truth. May your presence with us, guide us in our friendships and in our learning. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen FIRST READING (Acts 7:20-22) Moses was cared for at home for three months, and when he was put out of his home, the king s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. He was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became a great man in words and deeds. This is the Word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God. 4

5 RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 37 Response: Lord, teach me your ways. The Lord guides us in the way we should go, and protects those who please him. If we fall we will not stay down because the Lord will help us up. Response Good people s words are wise and are always fair. They keep the law of God in their heart and never depart from it. Response GOSPEL (Mt 13:54-55) Jesus taught in the synagogue, and those who heard him were amazed. Where did he get such wisdom? they asked. And what about his miracles? Isn t he the carpenter s son? Isn t Mary his mother? This is the Gospel of the Lord. Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL Priest: Gracious and loving God, hear us as we pray: Response: Lord, let you face shine on us. That our work and play will be blessed this year. Response: That our school community will reflect Gospel values. Response: That all new pupils and staff will feel welcome and respected. Response: That we will be guided by the Holy Spirit in our learning. Response: That through the intercession of Mary we may be faithful followers of Jesus. Response: Priest: Loving God listen to our prayers and let your face shine on us through Christ our Lord. Amen 5

6 PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS Father, accept these gifts as we begin a new school year. Help us to recognise Christ in this Eucharist and welcome him with love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Children s Mass 111 Outside Easter COMMUNION HYMN Do This in Memory: Alive O 4, Teacher s book, page 393 Eat This Bread: Alive O 4, Teacher s Book, page 383 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Father, in this Eucharist you touch our lives. Keep your love alive in our hearts as we begin this school year. We ask this in the name of your Son our Lord. Amen FINAL HYMN Christ is my Light: Alive O 5, page 23 Or The Spirit of God is Upon Us: Alive O 5, page 33 SUITABLE FOR BLESSING OF SCHOOL EXTENSION See: Prayer Service in Alive O 7, pages 3 & 4. 6

7 REFLECTION One tree can start start a forest, One sunbeam lights a room, One bird can hearld spring, One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul, One star can guide a ship at sea, One candle wipes out darkness, One vote can change a nation, One laugh will lift sadness, One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer, One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show care, One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what s true, One life can make the difference, You see it s up to you! Don t forget how very important YOU ARE. (Author Unknown) 7

8 PRAYER SERVICE FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR MUSIC: A solo piece played by a child or a suitable CD. PROCESSION to the Altar/Sacred Space A candle A candle A Bible Some bulbs for planting A bowl of holy water All are placed in the Sacred Place OPENING PRAYER Lord, Bless all of us gathered here today, our teachers and the boys and girls, our secretary, our. and especially our new pupils. Bless our year together and help us to love and to care for each other. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen [Name the new pupils if the number is small. Otherwise name them according to their class teacher s name e.g. all the new pupils in Ms Smith s class.] SCRIPTURE READING: Ephesians 3: May God give you the power through His Spirit for your true self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints come to realise the great love of Christ. Glory be to God whose power working in us can do more than we ask or imagine. The Word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God. PLANTING OF TWO 0R THREE BULBS God will work in you, his love will grow in you, and come to life just as these bulbs will grow and blossom and become beautiful flowers. So will you be beautiful in God s eyes. You are very precious to him. He wants to see you grow this year. 8

9 HYMN LITANY OF THE SPIRIT RESPONSE: Spirit of God, draw us. When someone in school needs a friend to play with R When someone needs some cheering up R When someone in school needs to be included R When someone needs a word of encouragement R When someone in school needs care and attention R When someone in school needs respect R When someone in school needs the truth R When someone needs a prayer R When someone needs courage R OUR FATHER 9

10 PRAYING WITH A GESTURE [Invite the children to place their hands over their heart for the first two prayers and then to open their hands for the next two] HEART: We open our hearts so that we may grow in the love of Jesus. We open our hearts so that we may show love to one another. OPEN HANDS We open our hands to all the work that we will do this year. We open our hands to help one another. BLESSING WITH HOLY WATER [Invite the children to join their hands for the sprinkling of the holy water and then to bless themselves] May the Lord bless you with happiness. ALL: Amen May He guard you and protect you. ALL: Amen May He bless you with his peace. ALL: Amen ALL: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen FINAL HYMN 10

11 PRAYER SERVICE FOR ST. THERESE PREPARATION Distribute a little prayer card to each child a few days before the service. The card states I will do good for others like St. Therese by... Each child is invited to write something they will do for someone else on the card. HYMN STORY OF ST. THERESE A teacher or child is invited to read or tell the story of St. Therese PRAYER We celebrate the life of St. Therese who was also known as the Little Flower. St. Therese tried to do her best in the small things of everyday life. She was a person of prayer in all that she did. She talked to God in her own words and trusted that God knew what was in her heart. We pray that we may imitate her in doing the small and simple things in life well. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE READING: (Corinthians 13: 4-7) A reading form the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Person 1: Love is patient and kind. Person 2: Love is not jealous, or proud; Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable. Person 1: Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Person 2: Love is not happy with evil. Person 1: Love is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail. The word of the Lord ALL: Thanks be to God. Sing a psalm or hymn that links with the reading. Each child will have received a little prayer card before the service. The card states I will do good for others like St. Therese by... Each child is invited to write on the card something they will do for someone else. These are now placed in a basket and put in the sacred space. 11

12 HYMN: Feelings: Alive O 2: page 22 OR Whatsoever You Do: Alive O 6: page 246 PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL Leader: Let us now offer our prayers to the God who calls all of us to live a life of love. Our response is: Lord, help us to be like St. Therese. St. Therese prayed to Jesus through everything she did. Even while she was doing chores, she did them for Jesus. Response. St. Therese was always kind to others. Even when people were unkind, she responded with kindness. Response St. Therese turned to Jesus at all times, times of happiness, times of sadness, and in times of trouble. She was always faithful to Jesus. Response. St. Therese shared her time with others. She was patient with other people and she listened to them. Response. ALL: Our Father CLOSING PRAYER God of all people, you gave us St. Therese as an example of holiness. She was patient and kind to everyone who came her way. Help us to be like her and do the best we can each day. May we share the love of Jesus with our families and friends. ALL: Amen CLOSING HYMN Go Now in Peace: Alive O 4: page

13 PRAYER SERVICE IN THANKSGIVING FOR HARVEST PREPARATION [Plant some mustard seeds a few days before the Service on damp cotton wool to allow the children the opportunity of seeing them grow arrange these and other Autumn fruits and leaves in the centre of your Sacred Space.] INTRODUCTION POEM: HARVEST FESTIVAL Alive O 2: page 37 HYMN: Autumn: Alive O 4, page 41 OPENING PRAYER God of the heavens and earth we thank you for the richness of harvest time and for food. May the fruitfulness of this time make us thankful for your constant love and care for us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. HYMN: Celtic Blessing, Alive O 6: page 40 GOSPEL: The Mustard Seed, Alive O 6: page 40 The gospel of Luke (13:18-20) One day Jesus was trying to find a way to teach his followers about the Kingdom of God. He said, What is the Kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to? He thought for a moment and then he told this very short story/parable. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches. The Gospel of the Lord 13

14 REFLECTION: Thank you, O Lord, your love is boundless Pupil 1 Thank you, O Lord, your love is boundless Thank you, that I am full of you Thank you, you make me feel so glad and thankful as I do. Pupil 2 Thank you for all the Autumn berries Thank you for all the Autumn leaves Thank you, you make me feel so glad For all that Harvest yields. Pupil 3 Thank you for all the grains of wheat Thank you for all the bread we eat Thank you for all the turf we gather Thank you we will have plenty heat Thank you for all the ripe bananas Thank you for orchards in the field. Pupil 4 Thank you for all the new potatoes Thank you for all the beans and peas Thank you for all our gifts and talents Thank you we share with those in need. Pupil 5 Thank you I see your world has meaning Thank you I know your spirit here Thank you because you love all people Those both far and near. 14

15 PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL Leader: God, giver of fruitfulness, you bless the earth and provide for all our needs, hear our prayer. Response: Lord of the harvest, we thank you. That we may receive the gifts of the earth with thankfulness. R That the earth s produce will be generously shared. R That all people will respect the earth. R That we may be generous in helping the hungry and poor. R That all who work on the land, will be treated justly. R Leader: Creator of all that is good, listen favourably to our prayers, we make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. OUR FATHER FINAL PRAYER Lord, we thank you all of creation, for food and vegetables, for trees and flowers, for fish and animals. Above all we thank you for the gift of people. May we always remember that what we have comes from you. May we have generous hearts that share, and respectful hearts that care for all you have entrusted to us. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. HYMN: This is the Day. Alive O 7: page

16 PRAYER SERVICE FOR THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS PREPARATION Set up a Saints Table in the area where the service will be held. Place a large candle in the centre. Frame pictures of some Saints and set them on the table. This will remind the children of the many people who have followed God s will in their lives. Leave the Sacred Space up for the month of November. OPENING HYMN Gather Round: Alive O 5: page 76 PRAYER Leader: We gather together to remember the saints as we prepare to celebrate All Saints Day. The lives of the saints give glory to God. They are examples for all of us. Student 1: The saints followed the Word of God in all they did. They lived the command of Jesus to love God and love others. All of us are called to be saints. Student 2: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the teacher of all of us. May we follow your way of love always. Student 3 God of love and mercy, help us to give glory and praise to your name as do your holy saints. SCRIPTURE READING : Isaiah (61: 1-2) A reading from the prophet of Isaiah The Lord has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me... to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to announce release to captives and freedom to those in prison. He has sent me to proclaim that the time has come when the Lord will save his people. The word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God. 16

17 PSALM The King of Love: Alive O 6: page 245 OR My Shepherd is the Lord: Alive O 4: page 236 REFLECTION Leader: As we celebrate All Saints Day, we remember that God calls each of us to be saints. God created each of us for life with Him. We are to live holy lives each day. Reflect for a moment in silence... What can I do to give praise to God? How can I help others at home? How can I help others in school? What God-given gifts and talents can I use for the glory of God? PRAYER Leader: Lord, may our lives give glory to you in all that we say and all that we do. We ask the saints in heaven to pray to God for us and for all people... Response:. Holy Mary, mother of God... St. Joseph, person who did God s will... St. Matthew, apostle of Jesus... St. Elizabeth, cousin of Mary... St. Francis, lover of animals and nature... St. Patrick, person of great love and faith... St. Brigid, woman of faith and carer of people... St. Columba, a missionary and person of courage... St. Gobnait, a woman of faith and prayer... St. Kevin, person of prayer... St. Brendan, a person of faith and courage... Let us now pray together the prayer Jesus taught us. ALL: Our Father 17

18 CLOSING BLESSING Leader: May the Lord bless our lives today and always. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. ALL: Amen. HYMN: We Sing a Song of Brigid: Alive O 2: page 155 OR Spirit of God is Upon Us: Alive O 5: page 33 PRAYER SERVICE FOR ALL SAINTS AND COMMERORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED Alive O 6: page

19 CALENDAR OF FEASTDAYS FOR TERM ONE SEPTEMBER 7th: Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary 17th: St.Hildergard 21 st : Jonah 27th: St. Vincent de Paul. {Alive O, T1, L8} 30th: St. Jerome OCTOBER 1st: St. Therese of Lisieux {Alive O 8, T1, L 2} 4th: St. Francis of Assisi {Alive O 6, T1, L4} 7th Our Lady of the Rosary 10 th : Children Helping Children Day of Prayer 18th: Mission Sunday NOVEMBER 1st: All Saints {Alive O 1-4} 2nd: All Souls { School book of Remembrance for those who have died in families and school community} 6th: All Saints of Ireland {Alive O 5, T1, L7} {Alive O 8, T1, L 13-16} {St. Brendan: Alive O 5, T1, L7 & T3, L8} {St. Columba, Alive O 3, T1, L6} 14 th : St. Laurence O Toole 16 th : St. Margaret of Scotland 22nd: 29th: Christ the King First Sunday in Advent DECEMBER 3 rd : St. Francis Xavier 6th: 8th: Second Sunday in Advent The Immaculate Conception of our Lady 13 th : Third Sunday in Advent 20 th : Fourth Sunday in Advent 25th: The Birth of Jesus 19

20 Check the Diocesan Website for resources... PRIMARY DIOCESAN ADVISORS Sr. Noreen Quilter Mr. Joe Linnane Mrs. Jean Mac Gearailt