St Richard s FairTrade Week Hymn of the Week: Servant King Reading of the Week: John 3:14-25 (Click to view the reading)
Lord, united with our sisters and brothers, we work and pray for a better world: - a world where trade systems are based on justice and fairness - a world where the disadvantaged are no longer disadvantaged - a world where all work is dignified and all people can reach their full potential. We ask you to give us the courage to fight for a world where your love is shown to all. Amen Monday 5th March This week will be St Richard s Fairtrade Awareness Week. We will be undertaking a number of activities to promote fairly traded goods in college. Why is promoting and buying Fairtrade goods important? Watch the video and see can you get an answer? Today in the link way we will have a Stall selling Fairtrade goods and gifts please go and support it as all funds will go to Fairtrade Foundation
Tuesday 6th March Pope John Paul II said: It is not just a question of giving what we have left over to those in need, but of helping entire countries who are excluded to have the chance of economic and human development. For this to happen we need a change of lifestyles, of models of production and consumption and of the established structures of power which today govern societies. - Message for World Day of Peace 2001, adapted Lord, Help us to have the courage to not just do the bare minimum but to step out of our comfort zone and help those in need. This Lent help us to change our lifestyles to make a difference in the world. Amen.
Wednesday 7th March The forty days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness was the beginning of three years of self-denial, service and suffering. Why did He do it? Because He loved His Father and He loves us. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit abounds in grace, generosity and hospitality. God gives, and gives again. As we seek to be like Him we ask Him to also give us a generous heart toward Him and to others. Compassionate and Gracious God You are slow to anger, you abound in love You work justice for all the oppressed. Do not let me forget all your blessings. You heal me, redeem me, crown me. You have compassion on all your children. Use Lent to make me more like you. To give, and give again. Because your kingdom rules over all. In the name of Jesus Christ, who has removed our transgressions from us. Amen
Thursday 8th March In John s Gospel when he is questioned about letting the woman wash his feet this is Jesus response: You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me John 12: 1-9 Indeed Jesus is no longer a physical presence among us but perhaps we need to see ourselves as his representative. How can we show the poor Christ s love in all our words and deeds this Lent? Lord, we long for a world where no one goes without their basic needs, or suffers the humiliation of being poor. We pray for those who do not care about the poor, soften, their hearts Lord. Speak to the conscience of world leaders and influencers may they see beyond their own interests. Bless those of us who seek to eradicate poverty. In the name of Jesus Christ Who is always with us. Amen.
Friday 9th March Luke 19:29-44 - in this passage we see the Son of God arriving to rescue and rule his people. He was worthy of the most splendid welcome into the City that has ever taken place in the history of the world. But instead He chooses an utterly lowly, undignified entrance. Why? Because he utterly identifies Himself with our weakness, poverty and messy lives. This is live changing stuff. Amongst our many responses, surely we are called to put aside aspirations of wealth, status and success, and instead to identify ourselves with the weak, poor and messed-up. Let us pray... The prayer we have from Jesus is collective, stressing the family/communal nature of our relationship with God and with each other. Our Father..
Prayer before Lunch Generous God, we come to thank you for the food we are about to eat. May we never take your gifts for granted and never forget those who are hungry. Amen.
Prayer for the end of the Day Give me this night, O Father, the peace of mind which is truly rest. Help me to be at peace with myself at peace with my fellow human beings at peace with you. Amen.