Diocese of Nottingham SCHOOL PRAYER BOOK EASTER 2012

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1 Produced by Séamus O Looskan of St Paul s Catholic School Chaplaincy, Leicester, on behalf of Nottingham Diocesan Vocations Commission. This prayer book can be downloaded in Publisher & Powerpoint from Diocese of Nottingham SCHOOL PRAYER BOOK EASTER 2012

2 NOTES This prayer book is intended for use in form period time. The booklet can be used as a resource to support busy teachers in the vital task of developing spirituality in young people. Leading The Prayer The settling and preparation of the class for a brief prayer is very important. Ideally the desks should be clear. The students can be invited to rest their head in their hands or put their head on their folded arms on the desk. Ask the students to be quiet and still for a moment before starting the prayer. Structure A scripture reading from the day & a prayer In addition there could be added a Common Prayer from the page opposite A blessing to conclude prayer Feel free to improvise and ask for intentions to be prayed for at the start Acknowledgements Readings are from The Lectionary or adapted from the Catholic Community Bible Form Blessings adapted from Blessings for teachers by Fr David O Malley SDB, Savio House, Bollington. Blessing 4 (when there has been tension) May God be with us to keep us peaceful May anger and jealousy give way to kindness May God s compassion come to us through one another Blessing 5 (when there has been sadness) May God be a comfort to us in our sadness May God s love lighten our hearts And teach us to keep trusting in troubled times. Blessing 6 (When things are celebrated) May God bless us in our success and achievements May our confidence in your gifts increase And may fun and friendship grow in our hearts

3 Blessings for Forms Blessing 1 (for safety) May God keep each of us safe from all harm today May we learn more about the goodness hidden in our hearts And find God through all that happens. Blessing 2 (for friendship and peace) May we find peace today, peace to share with each other May spiritual friendship grow between us And kindness and cheerfulness support us all day. Blessing 3 (When restless and tired) May we be patient with ourselves today And be relaxed when we are under pressure May we grow in knowledge and be aware of God in every breath. COMMON PRAYERS Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be your name Use one of your kingdom come, your will be done these prayers on earth as it is in heaven. each morning Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you blessed are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Glory be to the Father and to The Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. SCHOOL PRAYER This is what the Lord asks of you to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God Prayer of St Richard Day by Day, O dear Lord, three things I pray, to see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly Day by day Prayer for the dead Eternal rest grant to them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen

4 Third week of Easter BACKGROUND: The Gospel this weekend from Luke (24:35-48) has the disciples who have met him on the road to Emmaus come back and tell the others of their experience. Then Jesus comes and stands among them and explains to them how the scriptures have been fulfilled by his life, death and resurrection Monday 23rd St George, Patron of England To all Jesus said, If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let them renounce themselves, take up their cross and follow me. (Gospel of Luke 9:23) Lord, through the witness of George, our patron, we pray for our nation. May we work to build a community of care and concern for all. May we learn to honour and enjoy our diversity and differences so as to build a greater unity amongst people in our country. May our leaders have courage and compassion and the vision to inspire us to work for the common good. Amen Tuesday 24th April Anniversary of the Solemn Inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI as our Pope in 2005 Jesus said I am the bread of life. They who come to me will never be hungry; they who believe in me will never thirst. (Gospel of John 6:35) Father, pour out your Spirit on our Holy Father, Pope Benedict. Give him strength and wisdom to lead the Church. May he be a light in darkness around which we gather in hope. May he faithfully proclaim the Gospel of love and be assisted by the prayers of Peter and Paul. Through Christ our Lord Amen A YEAR OF FAITH In his apostolic letter MOTU PROPRIO DATA His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI announced a Year of Faith due to begin on 11 October 2012, fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Vatican Council II, and to conclude on 24 November 2013, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Universal King. The Holy Father stated in his letter that, "this will be a good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith." The Diocesan Education website has some great ideas of how schools can mark such an important year

5 Wednesday 25th April Jesus said: When the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth (Gospel of John 16:14) Loving Father, on our journey through life, lead us to choose the right direction and show us how to respect and value others, even if we do not agree with them. Amen Thursday 26th April Jesus said: It is written in the prophets; they will all be taught by God, and to hear the teaching of the Father, and learn from it, is to come to me. (Gospel of John 6:45) We pray and commit ourselves today, Father, to learn more about each other and the beautiful world that you have created around us. Help all of our classes today to be places of learning and discovery. Amen Friday 27th April Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. (St Paul s Letter to the Romans 12:9) Lord, help us to do what we can to ensure that all people are able to live their lives to the fullest and not be held back by poverty, war or disease. Lord Jesus may we bring your love to those in need. Amen This SUNDAY IS Good Shepherd Sunday the day chosen as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. The theme chosen this year links with the preparations for the Olympics & Para-Olympics Resources for Vocation Promotion can be found on the following web sites

6 Fourth week of Easter BACKGROUND: Good Shepherd Sunday, the annual Day of prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood & Consecrated life, has the Gospel John 10: Jesus presents himself as the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his flock.. As he prepared to ascend to the Father, Jesus entrusted the role of care and leadership to his apostles. We pray for those who are called to roles of leadership in our church and pray that more people will answer that call to serve as priests, deacons or in religious life. Monday 30th April Jesus said: I have come so that they might have life and have it to the full. (Gospel of John 10: 10) Loving Good Shepherd, we pray for those who you have called to continue to shepherd your Church. We pray especially for Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Malcolm and the priests and deacons of our diocese. Strengthen their ministry so that they may witness to your saving power at work in the world. Amen Tuesday 1st May Pope Pius XII established this day in 1955 to pray for all who work. Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as if it were for the Lord It is Christ the Lord you are serving. (St Paul s letter to the Colossians 17:24) Dear Lord, who learnt to be a carpenter at the hands of Joseph, help us all to work for justice and peace in our world. We pray that all who are unemployed will find suitable employment and all people will achieve satisfaction in what they do. Amen. Wednesday 30th May The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains for ever. (First Letter of St Peter 1:25) May the Spirit unite us as a community of faith, so that we may be a sign to others of your saving grace, Amen Thursday 31st May Solemnity of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant too with John, who is to become the Baptist. As Mary greets her cousin the child in Elizabeth s womb leaps for joy! Elizabeth gave a loud cry and said, Of all women you are most blessed and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured by a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in the womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. (Gospel of Luke 1:42) Visit our lives, Lord, so that we may have the faith of Mary & Elizabeth, through their prayers strengthen our belief in your promise and fulfill your Kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen Hail Mary... Friday 1st June St Justin Born at the beginning of the Second Century, a great philosopher and theologian (one who studies the faith) and seeker of truth. He was arrested and beheaded by the Emperor for being a Christian.. Pray Lord that following the example of St Justin we may search for truth and so enter into the glory of Christ. Through Christ our Lord. Amen You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be trampled underfoot. (Gospel of Matthew 5:13) Pray for those who will be confirmed at Sacred Heart & St Margaret Mary, Parish, Leicester

7 Week after Pentecost Readings for 8th Week in Ordinary Time Year II Monday 28th May You did not see him, yet you love him and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described (First Letter of St Peter 1:3-9) Lord increase our faith in you, so that our lives may be filled with your peace and joy. May the Spirit pour out gifts on each one of us this week so that your glory may shine through our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen Tuesday 29th May Free your minds from distractions, control them, and put your trust in nothing but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (First Letter of Peter:1:14) Pour out on us your Spirit so that we may be on fire with faith in the same way as the first apostles and help our church to grow in love and unity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen Wednesday 2nd May Jesus said: I, the light, have come into the world, so that who believes in me need not stay in darkness no more. (Gospel of John 12:47) Father, teach us to follow Christ your Son more faithfully. By listening to His voice may we become a community more attuned to your call in our lives. Amen (From prayer from National Office of Vocation) Thursday 3rd May St Philip & St James Philip was originally a follower of John the Baptist who then became an apostle of Jesus. James, cousin of Jesus, cared for the church in Jerusalem. He was martyred for his faith in 62 AD. You are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the foundation stone. (St Paul s letter to the Ephesians 2:19) Lord our God, you give us joy as we celebrate your apostles Philip and James. Through their prayers make us more faithful to your teaching and help us to spread your good news to all we meet this week. Friday 4th May (First Friday) The English Martyrs The Martyrs of England and Wales who we remember today, gave their lives for the Catholic Faith during the sixteenth Century. Sadly this was a time in our country s history that people had to make a choice - loyalty to politics or to their religion. To be a Catholic was against the law, and had harsh penalties, often death by hanging. It is hard for us to realise that we would be arrested for attending our school! I a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you. Be always humble, gentle & patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. Do your best to preserve the unity which the spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. (St Paul to the Ephesians) Jesus, light of the World, as we remember the Martyrs of England and Wales may we dedicate ourselves to seeking unity & truth. May we always discover the best in one another & work together to build up your kingdom in our world today. We pray in Jesus name. Amen

8 Fifth week of Easter BACKGROUND: Our Gospel from the Gospel of John 15:1-8 has Jesus refer to himself as the Vine with us as the branches. We pray that with careful pruning of our life we may live as God wants us to and our lives may bear much fruit! This week is DEAF AWARENESS WEEK British Sign Language (BSL) is the first or preferred language of around 70,000 people in the UK. About 2 million people in Britain wear hearing aids, maybe another million would benefit from doing so. Almost all deaf and hard of hearing people rely on lip reading to some extent. Many combine signs from BSL with English in order to communicate. For more resources see the website Tuesday 8th May Jesus said to his disciples: Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him. (Gospel of John 14:21-22) God our Father, in the name of Jesus your Son, give us your Holy Spirit that we may share our faith and love each other. Father, you have given us many gifts including the gift of sign language. We thank you and ask you to help us to use our gifts to spread the Good news of Jesus to all people. Amen (Prayer of the Catholic Deaf Association.) Wednesday 9th May Jesus said to his disciples: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (Gospel of John14:27-28) Lord, help me to communicate your peace to all those around me. May all whose hearts are troubled or who are afraid this day find someone to bring them comfort and healing and may I be that someone for those in need in my own community. Amen Wednesday 23rd May Jesus said: Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. (Gospel of John 17:11) Lord, we pray that we may communicate messages of peace and understanding by the way that we act today. May we be committed to truth and work to build a unified school community. Amen Thursday 24th May Mary Help of Christians Don Bosco, patron saint of young people taught all his students and children in his care to call upon Mary, Help of Christians as often as possible. This title reminds us that Mary is not just the Mother of Jesus, but the Mother of us all. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honour and majesty, wrapped in light as a garment. (Psalm 104) Loving Lord we thank you for the gift of Mary to be the Mother and Help of us all. May we become more like her in doing your will and be helped by her prayers. Amen Today we say the Hail Mary together in honour of our Mother, Mary help of Christians... Hail Mary, full of Grace the Lord is with you, blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Friday 25th St Bede born in 673 in County Durham. He entered the local monastery and was famous for both his teaching and his holiness. He wrote a famous History of England, providing us with much detail about what England was like while he was alive. Jesus said to his disciples: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (Gospel of John14:27-28) Father, may we value the Sacred Scripture handed down to us throughout generations. Through your word may we grow closer to you and discover more of your ways, so that our lives will be a Gospel to those around us. Amen

9 Week after the Ascension Monday 21st May St Christopher of Magallanes was one of a group of 22 priests and 3 lay people who were martyred for their faith. They belonged to the Cristeros movement during the 1920 s Anti-Catholic Mexican Government s attempt to destroy all mention of Christ in that country. St Christopher secretly ministered to the people but was imprisoned and killed. As he was dying he was heard to forgive those who were responsible and prayed that his blood be shed for the peace of our divided Mexico. John said to Jesus, Master we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him. But Jesus said, You must not stop him; no-one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. (Gospel of Mark 9:38-40) Keep us close to you Lord this week, so that our lives may reflect your glory. May our lives be modelled on you our Shepherd & Friend. Amen Thursday 10th May Jesus said to his disciples: As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you may be filled with joy. (Gospel of John 15:9-11) Lord, I want to face life s difficulties and to take on life s challenges, with a willing and generous heart. May I be conscious of your love for me and be aware of the joy in our world. Amen. Friday 11th May St John Houghton, St Robert Lawrence and the Martyrs of Nottinghamshire Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him. (Gospel of John 14:21-22) By the Power of the Holy Spirit, Lord, give us the courage to confess our faith, strengthen our belief and witness to your presence, through Christ our Lord. Amen Tuesday 22nd May St Rita of Cascia born in 1386 she wished to become a nun, but her parents betrothed her to a rich man and she was married at 18 to an abusive husband and was the mother of twin sons. Her husband was ambushed and stabbed to death during a political dispute and her sons swore vengeance on his killers. Through their mothers prayers she persuaded them to forgive their father s killers. After both her sons had died, she was eventually at 36 years of age, free to enter the Augustinian Convent. She remained there for the next 40 years - a life of prayer and work for peace. Jesus said to his disciples: If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, they will certainly not loose their reward. (Gospel of Mark 9:41) God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen

10 Sixth Week of Easter Monday 14th May St Matthias Matthias was chosen by the disciples to replace Judas Iscariot, to be listed as one of the twelve apostles. Jesus said This is my commandment; love one another as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends you are my friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. (Gospel of John 15:12,14) Lord, just as St Matthias was chosen to be a disciple, include us in your chosen ones, so that our lives will be filled with the joy of being your faithful witnesses. Through Christ our Lord. Amen Tuesday 15th May Jesus said: When the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth (Gospel of John 16:14) Loving Father, on our journey through life, lead us to choose the right direction and show us how to respect and value others, even if we do not agree with them. Amen Wednesday 16th May O Praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples! Strong is his love for us; he is faithful forever. (Psalm 116) Father, we pray for all teachers who work in developing countries. May they know the importance of the education they are offering to change our world for the better. Amen Pray for those confirmed at St Mary s Parish, South Wigston Thursday 17th May I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. (Gospel of John 16;19-20) Father, we know that to belong to your Kingdom is often hard and challenging, but give us your gifts so that we may be faithful and so counted at the last as one of your chosen sons and daughters. Through Christ our Lord Friday 18th May God goes up with shouts of joy, the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. Sing praise for God, sing praise, sing praise to our King, sing praise. (Psalm 46:7) God our Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ. May we follow him into the new creation, for his ascension is our glory and hope. Amen (Prayer for the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord.) This Sunday is World Communications Sunday. The theme offered by Pope Benedict XVI is Silence & Word: Path of Evangelisation. There needs to be a good balance between two ways of communicating silence and words. In silence we often communicate so deeply with gestures, body language and facial expressions. We are surrounded by words and search engines give us answers at the touch of a button but often leaving us confused and unsure. The Holy Father says learning to communicate is learning to listen and to contemplate as well as speak. This weekend we celebrate Jesus Ascension to Heaven which comes on the nearest Sunday to 40 days after Easter Sunday. This how the Gospel of Mark describes the event: And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven; there at the right hand of God he took his place; while they going out preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:15-20)