Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World · 2016. 2. 10. · Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World Resources for the Primary School Community: Home, ... Two copies of this

Resources for the Primary School Community: Home, School & Parish

29 January–4 February 2012

Christ’s Living Body Active in Our WorldResources for the Primary School Community: Home, School & Parish29 January–4 February 2012

Seachtain na Scoileanna Caitliceacha 2011

Theme: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World

Cut along the dotted line and wrap around your prayer candle.

Be sure to remove wrapper before candle burns to level of paper.


Christ’s Living Body Active In Our World

The members of the Steering Committee are:Gary Abrahamian; Lloyd Bracken; Jim Cassin; Martin Delaney; Colette Dower; Brenda Drumm; Michael Drumm; Paul Farren; Eileen Flynn; Fiona Gallagher; Maighread Ní Ghallchobhair; Seán Goan; Maura Hyland; Martin Long; Maeve Mahon; Bernie Martin; Michael Redmond; Maria Spring; Orla Walsh; Eithne Woulfe

Table of Contents

Getting Ready

Welcome 1CatholicSchoolsWeek2012PlanningMeeting 2PreparationforGrandparents’Day 4PreparingaSacredSpace 6

Parish Resources CelebratingCatholicSchoolsWeekinYourParish 7

School Resources ThemeforCatholicSchoolsWeek2012 9TheCatholicSchool 10ReflectionforStaffandBoardofManagement/Governors 11

Home Resources AtHome:CatholicSchoolsWeek2012 12

Classroom Resources Monday: Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurHomeAssemblytoBeginCatholicSchoolsWeek 14Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurHomeActivity 15

Tuesday: Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurSchoolFeastofStJohnBosco 17WeGiveThanksForThoseWhoMakeChrist’sLivingBodyActiveinOurSchool 19

Wednesday:Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurParishAssemblytoHonourandCelebrateourGrandparents 20FeastofStBrigid 22

Thursday: Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurCountryPatronSaints 24InternationalEucharisticCongress2012 25

Friday: Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurWorldFeastofStBlaise 27OvertoYou!Activity 29AssemblytoCloseCatholicSchoolsWeek 30

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This book provides resources to help celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2012. There are materials for use with the following groups:

• Studentsintheclassroom• Staffmembers• Parents• MembersofBoardofManagement/Governors• Thewiderparishcommunity.

Twocopiesofthisbookhavebeensenttoschoolsandonecopytoallpriestsministeringinparishes

ResourcesItisourhopethatyoufindthematerialincludedinthisyear’sresourcepackhelpfulasyoucelebrateCatholicSchoolsWeek2012.Copiesofthisresourceareavailabletodownloadas Gaeilgeonwww.catholicbishops.ie/catholicschoolsweek.SomeelementsoftheresourceshavealsobeentranslatedintoPolishandareavailableonthewebsite.ThisresourcepackhasbeenpreparedbyMícheálKilcrann,ElaineMahonandMaeveMahoninconsultationwiththeSteeringCommitteeforCatholicSchoolsWeek2012.

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Primary Resources Catholic Schools Week 2012: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World | 1

Welcome‘Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World’ brings to mind two differing but related meanings ofthephrase–‘theBodyofChrist’.IfweweretostopordinaryCatholicscomingoutofMassandaskthem,‘WhatistheBodyofChrist?’,theywouldreplythatitiswhattheyreceiveinHolyCommunion.Similarly,ifweaskedthemwheretheycouldfindtheBodyofChrist,theywouldprobablypointustothetabernacleinthechurch.Inbothcasestheywouldberight.Butthereisanothermeaningof ‘Body of Christ’ which is also important. The Church, the community of Christ’s followers inthe world, is the Body of Christ. St Augustine said that when we say ‘Amen’ as we receive HolyCommunionwearesaying‘yes’towhatwealreadyare–theBodyofChrist!

WhenwethinkoftheBodyofChristandCatholicprimaryschoolsinIreland,ourthoughtsnaturallyturntothepreparationofchildrenfortheirFirstHolyCommunion.ButtheCatholicschoolismorethanaplacewherewepreparechildrenfortheirFirstCommunion.ItisalsoaChristiancommunitythatisarealpartofChrist’sBodyactiveinourworld.

DuringCatholicSchoolsWeek 2012,wewanttoraiseourawarenessthataswesay‘Amen’toChristinHolyCommunion,sotooweshouldsay‘yes’tobeingChrist’sBodyinourschools,inourhomes,inourparishesandintheworldaroundus.Christ’sBodyisnotjusttobefoundinchurchbuildings–ratheritmustbeencounteredinallaspectsofourlives.

InJune2012,theInternationalEucharisticCongresswilltakeplaceinDublin.ThiswillbeanotableeventinthehistoryoftheChurchinourcountry.CatholicSchoolsWeekispartofourpreparation.Formanymonthsthecongressbellhasbeentakenaroundthecountry.ThebellisanimportantpartofChristiantradition.WeringabelleverySundaybeforeMassandtheAngelusbellisheardeveryday.Thisisareminderthatwhilewegotocertainplacesinourdailylives,wearecalledtoadeeperresponse.Wegotothesupermarket,wegotothecinema,wegotothesportsclub,wegodowntown,butwearecalledtochurch,wearecalledtobuildcommunity,wearecalledtoservethosemostinneed,wearecalledtoprayer.Thechurchbellmattersbecauseitremindsusthatthereismoretolifethanjustgoinghereandthere.WearepartofGod’sstory,God’splanforourworld.OurfaithteachesusthatGodiscallingus.

‘Catholic Schools: Christ’s Living Body Active in our World’ is the theme for our week in 2012.Iinviteyou–inyourschool,yourparish,yourhome–tobepartofthisweek.Youwillfindmanyhelpfulmaterialsinthisbook.Mostschoolsandparisheshavecelebratedthisweekforseveralyearsnow.IfyourschooloryourparishhasnotparticipatedinthisweekinpreviousyearsthenIinviteyoutodosothisyear.

AtMasswesay‘Amen’aswereceivetheBodyofChristinHolyCommunion,butwemustalsosay‘yes’sothatwemaybecometheBodyofChristintheworld.DuringthisweekwecelebrateourCatholicschoolsaspartoftheChristiancommunity’sefforttotrulybeChrist’sBodyactiveinourworld.

Michael DrummChairpersonCatholicSchoolsPartnership

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2 | Catholic Schools Week 2012: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World Primary Resources

Catholic Schools Week 2012 Planning MeetingThepurposeofholdingaplanningmeetingistodecidewhichelementsoftheresourcesyourparticularschoolcommunityandparishwillhighlightduringtheweek.Byinvitingrepresentativesfromthestaff,BoardofManagement/Governors,ParentAssociation/Council,parishteam,parishpastoralcouncilandschoolchaplaintothismeetingyouwillbeabletoensurethebestpossiblecelebrationofCatholicSchoolsWeekinyourschoolandparishcommunity.Theagendaforthismeetingmightlooklikethis:

1. The Theme of Catholic Schools Week 2012

Catholic Schools: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World.

Anexplanationcanbefoundonpage9.

2. The ParishConsidermarkingthebeginningofCatholicSchoolsWeekwithinoneoftheparishMassesonSunday,29January.Liturgical resources and suggestions for such a celebration of the Eucharist can be found on page 7.Theparishmightalsogetinvolvedby:• helpingtohostGrandparents’DayonFebruary1st• helpingtocreateadisplaycelebratingthewayinwhichCatholicschoolsin

theparishmakeChrist’slivingbodyactiveintheircommunityandintheworld

• hostingadiscussionontheimportanceofCatholiceducationduringCatholicSchoolsWeek.

3. The SchoolEachdayofCatholicSchoolsWeek2012hasitsownthemeandresourcesforclassroomactivity.Thismeetingmightconsidertheeventsthatwillinvolvethewholeschoolandperhapsthewiderparishcommunity.

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Primary Resources Catholic Schools Week 2012: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World | 32 | Catholic Schools Week 2012: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World Primary Resources

4. Grandparents’ Day, 1 FebruaryAsignificantpartofCatholiceducationisitscommitmenttobuildingonthetraditionofCatholiceducationintheareaandintheparticularschool.The rich inheritance of the schoolisitssteppingstoneintothefuture.Grandparentsareavitallinkinhelpingchildrengivethanksfortheworkoftheschoolandtolookforwardwithjoyfulhopetothefuture.

ThiseventhasnowbecomeanintegralpartofCatholicSchoolsWeekformanyschools.Ifyourschoolhasnotyetparticipatedinthiscelebrationweencourageyoutoconsiderdoingsothisyear.

Onpages4and5ofthisbookyouwillfindsomesuggestionsforthepreparationneededforGrandparents’DayandthePrayerAssemblyonthatday.Remember to send out invitations to grandparents as early as possible.

5. The School EnvironmentHowwillvisitorstoyourschoolknowthatCatholicSchoolsWeekistakingplace?Takethisopportunitytoidentifyareasoftheschoolwheresacredspaces,religiousimagesanddisplayboardsmightbeupdated,enhancedoraddedinpreparationforthecelebrations.ParentCouncils/Associationsmightbeinvitedtohelpinthisendeavour.Seesuggestionsonpage6.

6. Parents• AresourcetohelpparentsbecomeinvolvedinCatholicSchoolsWeekcanbe

foundonpages12–13.Thiswillneedtobephotocopiedbacktoback.Considerhowbesttodistributethistoparents.

7. Staff and Board of Management/Governors• AresourcetohelpstaffandBoardofManagement/Governorstoreflecton

theirworkinCatholiceducationcanbefoundonpage11.ThereisalsoaseriesofstatementsabouttheCatholicSchoolonpage10.Considerhowbesttheydescribeyourschoolatstaff,BoardofManagement/GovernorsandParentAssociation/Councilmeetingsinthecomingmonths.EncouragemembersoftheBoardofManagement/GovernorsandParentAssociation/CounciltobepresentatalleventsplannedforCatholicSchoolsWeek2012.

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Let’s Celebrate Our Grandparents!TheseactivitiescouldbedoneinpreparationforGrandparents’Day,Wednesday1February.Someofthefinishedactivitiesmightbeusedfordisplaypurposesorasagiftforgrandparentsduringtheirvisittoyourclassroomorschool.

1. Writing/Project/IT Activities• Anessayaboutgrandparents• Scrapbookofmemoriesabouttimespentwithgrandparents• Schoolinmygrandparents’time…• Ourfavouritethingstodotogether…• Mygrandparents’favouriteprayers/poems/stories/recipes

2. Art ActivitiesPuzzle Card Pasteaphotoontocardboardandcutitintofiveorsixbigpieces.Makeacard,decoratetheoutsideandwritethewords‘Guesswholovesyou?’inside.Placethecut-outpiecesinsidethecard.

Family Tree Putsomeplaydoughormodellingclayintothebottomofapapercup.Putatwigwithplentyofbranchesintotheclayandmakesureitstandsupstraight.Cutbigleavesoutofgreencard.Invitethechildrentowritethenamesoftheirsiblings,parents,grandparentsandothersontheleaves.Alternatively,childrencoulddraworstickpicturesoffamilymembersontheleaves.Punchaholeineachleafandtiethemontothebranchesusingpipecleanersorstring.Startbyplacingthechildrenandtheirsiblingsatthetop,thentheirparents,aunts,unclesandfinallygrandparentsonthebottom.

You Are My Sunshine Picture OnanA4pagedrawaflowerandputaphotographofchildinthemiddle.Nowdrawasunandputthegrandparent’sphotointhecentreofit.Writethewords‘YouAreMySunshine’onthepage.

I Love You Because … Makeaclasscollagewiththetitle‘WeLoveOurGrandparentsBecause…’

3. Annual Catholic Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to KnockInvitethechildrentowriteprayersorpoemsabouttheirgrandparentswhichwillbebroughttothealtarduringtheMasstocelebratethispilgrimage,whichtakesplaceinSeptembereachyear.AllprayersarekeptinKnockandgrandparentsvisitingtheshrinecanasktoseewhattheirgrandchildhaswrittenaboutthem.PrayersandpoemscanbepostedtoTheCatholicGrandparents’Association,TheMall,Westport,Co.Mayo.Forfurtherinformationseewww.nationalgrandparentspilgrimage.com/home.

Preparation for Grandparents’ Day

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Reflection on GrandparentsInvite some of the children to read one of the following reflections on grandparents during the Assembly to Honour and Celebrate Grandparents on Wednesday. Alternatively, the children may like to read some of their own reflections.

‘Grandparentscaninspireus,validateusandinstructusinwhatitfeelsliketobeloved.Theycanteachusaboutbeingdifferentandunique.Theygiveustheopportunityandpermissiontosamplelife’sjoys.Theyconnectuswithourparents,siblings,cousinsandourownchildren.Theyconnectuswiththepastandpositionusforthefuture.Andevenwhentheypasson,theystaywithusforourwholelivesinmemoriessorichthatwecanalmosthear,smell,see,tasteortouchthemandtheirsurroundings.’(DrLuciBearon)

What is a Grandparent? ( The following were written by eight-year-old children)

Grandparentsarealadyandamanwhohavenolittlechildrenoftheirown.Theylikeotherpeople’s.

Agrandfatherisaman,andagrandmotherisalady!

Grandparentsdon’thavetodoanythingexceptbetherewhenwecometoseethem.Theyaresooldtheyshouldn’tplayhardorrun.Itisgoodiftheydriveustotheshopsandgiveusmoney.

Whentheytakeusforwalks,theyslowdownpastthingslikeprettyleavesandcaterpillars.

Theyshowusandtalktousaboutthecoloursoftheflowersandalsowhyweshouldn’tstepon‘cracks’.

Theydon’tsay,‘Hurryup.’

Grandparentsdon’thavetobesmart.

Theyhavetoanswerquestionslike‘Whyisn’tGodmarried?’and‘Howcomedogschasecats?’

Whentheyreadtous,theydon’tskip.Theydon’tmindifweaskforthesamestoryoveragain.

Everybodyshouldtrytohaveagrandmother,especiallyifyoudon’thavetelevisionbecausetheyaretheonlygrownupswholiketospendtimewithus.Theyknowweshouldhavesnacktimebeforebedtime,andtheysayprayerswithusandkissusevenwhenwe’veactedbad.

Mygrandmotherlivesattheairportandwhenwewanther,wejustgogether.Thenwhenwe’redonehavinghervisit,wetakeherbacktotheairport.

Grandpaisthesmartestmanonearth!Heteachesmegoodthings,butIdon’tgettoseehimenoughtogetassmartashim!

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During Catholic Schools Week you might add some of the following:• Picturesofactivitiesthattheschool

engagesin,showingthepupilsandstaffas‘Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinourWorld’

• Namesoforganisationsandgroupsthattheschoolhelps

• ThethemeofCatholicSchoolsWeek2012:‘(Schoolname)–Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurWorld’.Thiscouldbedoneasacollage,bannerorposterbythechildren

• Schoolmotto/crest/pictureorstatueofPatronSaint

• AStBrigid’sCross• PhotosofGrandparents’Dayandother

CatholicSchoolWeekactivitiesfromlastyear.

Display AreasEncouragestafftohavedisplaysintheirclassroomsandcorridorswhichreflectthetheme‘Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinourWorld’duringthisweek.

Preparing a Sacred SpaceCreatingaSacredSpaceoraPrayerSpaceintheentranceareaisaverysimpleandeffectivewaytoreflectyourschool’sCatholicethos.Visitorstotheschoolarestruckbythesensethattheyareenteringaspaceinwhichthesacredisacknowledgedandcelebrated.Theschoolcommunityhasaspacewhichtheyhelptocreateandmaintain;aspacethatcelebratestherichandsymboliclifeoftheCatholicschool,reflectingthemovementthroughtheChurchyear,thecelebrationofSaintsandHolyDays,importanteventsinthelifeoftheschoolandmostofallavisibleexpressionofthefaithweallshare.CatholicSchoolsWeekoffersanopportunitytocreateaSacredSpaceifyoudonotalreadyhaveone,andprovidesanewfocusforexistingspaces.

The following are the key elements of any Sacred Space:• Acolouredclothwhichreflectsthecurrent

seasonoftheLiturgicalYear.AsCatholicSchoolsWeekfallsduringOrdinaryTimetheclothwillbegreen.

• Acandle(thisyearconsiderplacinganInternationalEucharisticCongressCandleinyourSacredSpace.Thesecandlescanbeobtainedfromwww.iec2012.ieandthereisalargerangeofsizesandprices.)Youcanalsousethelogoonpage31ofthisbooktocreateanIEC2012candle.

• AcopyoftheBibleonastand,opentothetextofthisSunday’sGospelordailyreading

• HolyWater• Ifyourschoolhasparticularaffinitytoa

SaintthenastatueofthatsaintmightbeputintheSacredSpace.


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Celebrating Catholic Schools Week in Your ParishCatholicSchoolsWeek2012beginsonSunday,29January,theFourthSundayinOrdinaryTime.OverthepastthreeyearsparishesthroughoutthecountryhaverespondedwithgreatgenerosityandcreativitytotheinvitationtotaketimeduringthisweektocelebratethecontributionmadebyCatholicSchoolstotheircommunities.Thiscanbedoneinavarietyofways:duringtheSundayLiturgy,byjoiningintheactivitiesintheparishschoolsandbycreatingopportunitiesfortheparishcommunitytoconnectwiththeschoolcommunity.TherearemanydifferentwaysinwhichparishesmightchoosetocelebrateCatholicSchoolsWeekandthefollowingarejustsomesuggestionsthatmighthelp.

Celebration of the Eucharist for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary TimeIfyouhaveaLiturgy GroupmakesurethattheyaremadeawareofCatholicSchoolsWeekasearlyaspossiblesothattheycanbeinvolvedinpreparingtheliturgyforthisMass.EncouragethemtoensurethatCatholicSchoolsWeeksbecomespartoftheannuallifeoftheparish.ItwillalwaysbeginonthelastSundayinJanuary.• ConsiderhowbesttheschoolsinyourcommunitymightbecomeinvolvedinthisSunday’s

celebrationoftheEucharist.ArrangeameetingwiththeprincipalsandteachersintheweekspriortoCatholicSchoolsWeekanddiscussthevariouswaysthattheworkofCatholicSchoolscanbehighlightedandcelebratedduringtheliturgyonthatday(seepage2).InviteamemberoftheLiturgyGrouptothisplanningmeeting.

• Thereadings,prayersoftheFaithfuletc.fortheFourthSundayinOrdinaryTimecanbefoundintheDecember/JanuaryeditionofIntercom.TherearealsohomilynotesfortheFourthSundayinOrdinaryTimeintheJanuaryeditionofThe Furrow.ConsiderwhobestmightproclaimtheWordattheMass–astaffmember,memberofBoardofManagement/BoardofGovernors?SomeofthechildrenmightsingthepsalmandAlleluia.EncouragethechildrenpreparingforConfirmationtowriteandreadaPrayeroftheFaithful.

• Thethemeforthisyear’sCatholicSchoolsWeek, ‘CatholicSchools:Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinourWorld’, istakenfrom‘ThoughWeAreMany’,thehymnspeciallywrittenforthe50thInternationalEucharisticCongress,whichtakesplaceinDublinfrom10–17June,2012.ThehymncouldbelearnedbythechildrenandsungatMassonthisSunday.Themusicforthishymncanbelistenedtoanddownloadedfromwww.iec2012.ie.AchildfromtheschoolcouldbeinvitedtolighttheInternationalEucharisticCongresscandlebeforeMassbegins.


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Parish Newsletter• EnsurethatCatholicSchoolsWeekisbroughttotheattentionofthewidercommunityby

placinganoteintheParishnewsletter.Includespecificpublicactivitiesplannedinyourparish.Sampletextmightreadasfollows:

Sunday,29JanuarymarksthebeginningofCatholicSchoolsWeek2012.ThepurposeoftheweekistohighlightandcelebratethewonderfulcontributionthatCatholicschoolsmaketoourlocalcommunitiesandsocietyingeneral.Thisyear’sthemeisCatholic Schools: Christ’s Living Body Active in our World. Ourparishisjoininginthecelebrationsby…

PupilsfromtheschoolmightdistributethenewsletteronthisSunday.

Display AreaConsiderworkingwiththeschooltocreateadisplayshowingthewaysinwhichtheparishschool/sis/are‘Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurWorld’.Thisdisplaycoulddepicttheirworkwithlocalandnationalcharities,theircontributionstothelocalcommunityandanyotherrelevantactivities.

Boards of ManagementBoardsofManagementintheRepublicofIrelandwillbeveryrecentlyformed,andthismightbeanidealopportunitytothankthosewhohaveservedonthepreviousBoardandacknowledgeandcongratulatethenewmembers.

The Pastoral Council• BringCatholicSchoolsWeektotheattentionofthePastoral Councilandaskthemhowthe

parishmightbestcelebrateitthisyear.ConsiderthepossibilityofhostinganeveningontheimportanceofCatholicEducationinIrelandtoday.

The School• Thechaplainmighttaketheopportunitythisweektovisit as many classrooms as possible.

Thisbookwillhelpyoutofindafocusforyourvisitasitoffersathemeforeachday’swork.YoumightblessthethroatsofthechildrenontheFeastofStBlaiseinsomeoftheclassrooms.

• EncourageschoolstoparticipateinGrandparents’Dayon1February.• Visitthestaffroomthisweek.Youmightevenbringacakeoraboxofbiscuits!• UsethereflectionforstaffandBoardofManagement/Governorsonpage11tohelpall

concernedreflectontheirworkinCatholicEducation.

ThereisalsoaseriesofstatementsabouttheCatholicSchoolonpage10.Considerhowbesttheydescribeyourschoolatstaff,BoardofManagement/GovernorsandParentAssociation/Councilmeetingsinthecomingmonths.

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Verse 3–‘Thoughwearemany’:

‘AndthroughthissharedEucharistwearethelivingChurch.WewitnesstoChrist’sloveHislivingbodyactiveinourworld.’

CatholicSchoolsWeek2012offersustheopportunitytoreflectonthefactthatourschoolcommunitiesareplaces,where,inthewordsofStCatherineofSiena,every child is encouraged to be who God meant them to be sothattheycansettheworldonfireandtrulybeChrist’slivingbodyactiveinourworld.

OurCatholicSchoolCommunitiesarealsoplaceswhereChristiscontinuouslymadepresentinnewandunexpectedways.

Catholic Schools: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World CentraltothelifeoftheCatholicschoolisitsliturgicalcelebrationsandtheprayertime,whichpunctuatetherhythmofeachday.Itisduringthesetimesinaparticularwaythatpupilsandstaffareinvited,encouragedandchallengedtobethebodyofChristinthemanydifferentworldswhichtheyinhabit.WhentheCatholicschoolcommunitygatherstocelebrateMass,theydosoknowingthathavinglistenedtotheWordofGod,giventhanksforhisgreatloveforusandbeennourishedatthetableoftheLord,theywillbesentforthtobeChristtoeachother.EachtimewecelebrateEucharisttogetherasacommunitywearegathered,nourishedandsentanditisnosmallcoincidencethattheseactionsaremirroredbytheworkoftheCatholicSchoolcommunityasitgathers,nourishesandsendsforthyoungpeopletobeChristtotheworld.

Catholic Schools: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our WorldTheremayneverbeamoreopportunetimetocelebrateCatholicschoolsandtheiruniquecontributiontoIrishsocietythaninthepresentclimate.TheplaceofCatholiceducation,andtherightofparentstochoosethisparticulartypeofeducation,isbeingdebatedandquestionedinthemostrigorousofwaysthroughoutthecountry.Thereislittledoubtthatsuchadebateisnecessaryandthatdiversityinschoolprovisionisneededinourcountry.ItisalsotruethatthisdebaterequiresthosewhobelieveinCatholiceducationandthosewhoparticipateinittofindtheirvoiceandtoarticulatepubliclytherationalefortheirchoice.Catholicschoolsneedtocreatethespacesinthepublicspheretoexpressanddefinetheiruniquecontributiontotheeducationsystem.CatholicSchoolsWeek2012offersonesuchopportunityandthethemechosenreflectsthewidevarietyofwaysinwhichthecharacteristicspiritoftheCatholicschoolenablesandencouragespupilsandstafftobeagentsforchange,tolivetheGospel,tobethebodyofChristinourworld.Thisyear’sthemeistakenfromtheanthemofthe50thInternationalEucharisticCongressandreflectstheoverallthemeoftheEucharisticCongress–‘TheEucharist:CommunionwithChristandwithoneanother’.

Theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012

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The Catholic School …• HasatitsheartthemissionandministryofJesusChrist• Buildsanenvironmentofcareandconcernforothers

thatisrootedinCatholicsocialteaching• Createsasafeandhappylearningenvironmentwhere

everychildisencouragedandenabledtodeveloptotheirfullanduniquepotentialashumanbeings,madeintheimageandlikenessofGod

• Seekseducationalexcellencewhileremainingfaithfultotheirdistinctivevisionandapproach

• Isaninclusiveandrespectfulcommunity,welcomingchildrenofalldenominationsandofnone

• Acknowledgestheroleofparentsasthefirstteachersinthewaysoffaithandprovidesopportunitiesfortheirparticipationinthelifeoftheschool

• Worksinpartnershipwithparentsandtheparishcommunitytokeepthelightoffaithburningbrightly

• Providesreligiouseducationprogrammesthatconfirmanddeepenthechild’sunderstandingoftheCatholicfaithsothateverychildwillbeasarticulateintheirfaithasinallotherareasofthecurriculum

• Nurturesthechild’sappreciationandunderstandingofthesacramentallifeoftheChurch

• DisplaysthesymbolsofourrichCatholicfaithtradition• Spendstimeasaschoolcommunityinreflection,

prayerandritual,celebratingtheEucharistandothersacramentstodevelopthespirituallifeofeachpersonintheschoolcommunity.

BasedonVision 08: A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland(APastoralLetteroftheIrishCatholicBishops’Conference)



Reflection for Staff and Board of Management/GovernorsThefollowingisintendedtoformthebasisforashortreflectionwithstaffandmembersofBoardsofManagement/GovernorsontheidentityoftheCatholicSchool.

2012isanimportantyearforCatholicschoolsinIreland:

• TheInternationalEucharisticCongresswilltakeplaceinDublinfromSunday10JunetoSunday17June2012

• TheGovernmentoftheRepublicofIrelandwillissueareportontheoutcomesoftheForumonPatronageandPluralisminthePrimarySector.

• InNorthernIreland,newstructuresforeducation(ESA)arebeingputinplacewhichwillhaveanimpactonCatholicschools.

Intimesofchangeidentityiscrucial.ThelandscapeofCatholicschoolsisalreadyinfluencedbynewthinkingandpolicyandwillchangesignificantlyoverthecomingyearsinboththeNorthandSouthofIreland.OurCatholicschoolshavenothingtofeariftheyarefirmintheiridentity.InspiredbyaCatholicethostheywillcontinuetooffereducationandformationtopupilsinresponsetothewishesofCatholicparents.

ThethemeforCatholicSchoolsWeek2012is‘CatholicSchools:Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinOurWorld’.ClearlythisthemeisastatementoftheidentityoftheCatholicschool.

TheMassmattersbecauseChristispresentinatangiblewaywhenthecommunitygathers–thewordisproclaimed,thebreadbroken,andtheBodyofChristshared.TheEucharistthusinvitesusurgentlytolivetheloveofGodintheday-to-daycircumstancesoflifeandinourrelationshipswithoneanother.

WedefinetheChurchasthebodyofChrist.Theschoolcommunityismadeupofpeoplewhoformpartofeachotherasthelimbsdothebody.TheCatholicschoolcommunity,caringforitsstudentsatacrucialtimeintheirlives,isforthemthelocalChurchmakingChristpresentinfreshandsurprisingways.ThemissionofallintheschoolcommunityistobewitnessesandambassadorsoftheloveofChristintheworld.Andso,theCatholicSchoolcantrulybedescribedas‘Christ’slivingBody,activeinourworld.’

DuringCatholicSchoolsWeek2012,CatholicSchoolsareencouragedtoenablestudentsgather,celebrateandreflectontheEucharistandtherebyrecogniseChristpresentintheschool–bringingaboutalifestyleofcommunionandsharing.

SomequestionstohelpreflectiononthethemeofCatholicSchoolsWeek2012:

• DoCatholicschoolshaveastrongidentity?• HowimportantistheEucharistinforgingtheidentityoftheCatholicschool?• WhatimpactwillthechangessignalledbytheForumonPatronageintheRepublicandtheEducation

changesinNorthernIrelandhaveonCatholicschools?

CatholicSchoolsWeek2012–BishopBrendanKelly

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Reflect on the words of this prayer, written by St Teresa of Ávila.

Christ has no body now on earth, but yours,

no hands but yours, no feet but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which he looks out

Christ’s compassion to the world.

Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good,

and yours are the hands with which he is to bless us now.

At Home Catholic Schools Week 2012

DearParent(s),TheremayneverbeamoreopportunetimetocelebrateCatholicschoolsandtheiruniquecontributiontoIrishsocietythaninthepresentclimate.TheplaceofCatholiceducation

and the right of parents to choose this particular type of education is being debated andquestionedinthemostrigorousofwaysthroughoutthecountry.Thereislittledoubtthatsuchadebateisnecessaryandthatdiversityinschoolprovisionisneededinourcountry.ItisalsotruethatthisdebaterequiresthosewhobelieveinCatholiceducationandthosewhoparticipateinittofindtheirvoiceandtoarticulatepubliclytherationalefortheirchoice.Catholicschoolsneedtocreatethespacesinthepublicspheretoexpressanddefinetheiruniquecontributionto the education system. Catholic Schools Week 2012 offers one such opportunity and thethemechosen–‘CatholicSchools:Christ’sLivingBodyActiveinourWorld’–reflectsthewidevarietyofwaysinwhichthecharacteristicspiritofCatholicschoolsenablesandencouragespupilsandstafftobeagentsforchange,tolivetheGospel,tobethebodyofChristinourworld.


Jesus has no body on earth.

He relies on me, as his follower, and as a member of his family, to act on his behalf.

During Catholic Schools Week, I am making a special effort to act as Christ’s living Body in my home.

This is what I did this week …

My name:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

My parent(s):

My teacher:

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Monday: Assembly to Begin Catholic Schools Week

Leader:Goodmorningeveryone,andwelcometoourassembly,whichmarksthebeginningofCatholicSchoolsWeek.WebegininthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolySpirit.Amen.

Today,schoolsallacrossIrelandarecelebratingthefactthattheyareCatholic.Wejoinwiththeminprayerthismorning.

ThethemeofCatholicSchoolsWeekthisyearisChrist’sLivingBodyActiveinOurWorld.Everydaythisweek,ourschoolcommunityisgoingtomakeaspecialefforttoshowhowwecanactlikeJesus,andbringhislovetotheworld.Inthisway,wewillshowthatwearehisfollowers,andthatourschoolistrulyaCatholicschool.

LetusprayforthosewhohelpustomakeChrist’slivingbodyactiveinourworld.Theresponseis, ‘Lord, graciously hear us’.

Reader 1:Weprayforourparentsandguardians,whowerethefirsttoshowushowtoliveasJesuswantsusto.Lord hear us.

Reader 2:Weprayforourteachers,thattheywillteachasJesusdid,andworktogethertomakeourCatholicschoolthebestitcanbe.Lord hear us.

Reader 3:Weprayforourpriests,parishsistersandparishworkers,thattheywillalwaysbemodelsofJesus’loveforus.Lord hear us.

Reader 4:WeprayforeveryonewhoworksinourschoolthattogetherwewillbuildupChrist’slivingbody.Lord hear us.

Reader 5:Weprayforallthechildreninourschool,thatwewillplayourpartinbringingGod’slovetotheworld,thisweekandalways.Lord hear us.

LetusfinishbyprayingasJesusaskedusto.Our Father …

Leader: LovingGod,Helpustoliveasyouaskedusto.HelpustoworktogetherasyourBody,activeintheworld.Helpustobringyourlovetoallwemeet,andespeciallythosewhoneeditmost.WemakethisprayerthroughChrist,ourLord.Amen.

Leader: Aswego,weblessourselveswithholywaterasasignthatwearewillingtoplayourpartasChrist’slivingBody,activeinourworld.

Sing:Chooseasongaslistedabove,orasuitablealternative.

*Note: If you have a smaller number of children, you may like to place bowls of holy water at the doors of the Assembly area, and allow the children to bless themselves. If you have a larger group of children, you may like to use a palm branch to sprinkle the children with holy water.

You will need: • SomeonetoleadtheAssembly• Fivechildrentoreadtheprayersoutlined

below• ASacredSpacecontainingacandle,aBible,a

crossandsomeholywater.Youmayalsoneed

apalmbranchtosprinkletheholywateronallwhoaregathered*

• ACDorsuitablemusicaccompanimentforoneofthefollowingsongs:

‘Connected’(Alive-O 4) ‘GoTellEveryone’(Alive-O 7)

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Christ’s Living Body Active in Our HomeThink about the words of this prayer, written by St Teresa of Ávila:

Christ has no body now on earth, but yours,

no hands but yours, no feet but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which he looks out

Christ’s compassion to the world.

Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good,

and yours are the hands with which he is to bless us now.

ThesewordscanhelpustounderstandwhatitmeanswhenwesaywearetheBodyofChrist.Jesusnolongerlivesonearth.Hecannotsharewiththosewhodonothaveenough,orsayakindwordtopeoplewhoareupset.Hecannotincludepeoplewhoareleftout,orofferfoodtopeoplewhoarehungry.Instead,Jesusreliesonus,asmembersofhisfamily,hisfollowers.ThatiswhywesaythatwearetheBodyofChrist.

Duringthisweek,wearegoingtomakeaspecialefforttoshowthatChristisactiveinourworldthroughus.Today,wewillbeginbythinkingaboutallthewaysthatwecanbeChrist’slivingBodyactiveinourhomes.

Theactivityonpage16willhelpyoutothinkofthemanywaysinwhichwecanbeChrist’slivingBodyactiveinourhome.

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Afterbrainstormingwithyourfriends,choosesevenideastodoinyourhomethisweek.Asyoucompleteeachactivity,writeordrawitonthepageyouwillbringhomethisweek.AsksomeonethatyoulivewithtosignyourpagetoshowthatyouhavemadeChrist’slivingBodyactiveinyourhome.Nextweek,bringyoursheetbacktoyourteachertoshowhim/herwhatyouhavedone.

In the hands below, write or draw some ways that you can act as Christ’s Body in your home. Share your ideas with others in your class.

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Today we celebrate the Feast of St John Bosco. StJohnBoscowasborninatowncalledPiedmont,nearTurin,in1815.Hewastheyoungestofthreechildren,allofthemboys.Whenhewasjusttwoyearsofagehisfatherdied,sohismother,Margaret,lookedafterJohnandhistwobrothersonherown.Whenhewastwentyyearsofage,Johndecidedtobecomeapriest.Hisworkwasmainlyinprovidingschoolstoeducateboyswhomightotherwisehavebeenleftonthestreets.Theseboysfounditverydifficulttoconcentrateatschool.Johnveryquicklylearnedtojuggleanddomagictrickssotheywouldenjoyschoolmoreandthiswouldhelpthemtolearn.Johnlaterbecameinvolvedinwritingbooksforteachers,tryingtopromotetheGoodNewsofJesus.StJohnBoscoispatronsaintofouryouthandofCatholicpublisherslikeVeritas,whohavepublishedtheAlive-Oprogramme.

Tuesday: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our School

Manyotherpeoplecaredforchildrenandhelpedthembysettingupschoolssothattheycouldbeeducated.ThesepeoplebecameChrist’slivingBodyactiveintheschoolsthattheyestablished.TheyhelpedtheboysandgirlswhocametotheirschoolstobethehandsandeyesofChristtoallthepeoplearoundthem.

Get into groups of 2 or 3. Choose one of the people named below and find out about him/her. Compile a short presentation or fact file and share it with your class.

CatherineMcAuley BlessedIgnatiusRiceIgnatiusofLoyola StLouisedeMarilacMaryWard StJeanBaptisteDelaSalleNanoNagle

don bosco writing, turin, 1865/68 wikimedia commons

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We Give Thanks For Those Who Make Christ’s Living Body Active in Our SchoolWehavemanypeoplewhohelpus,whocareforusandwhosharetheirtimeandtalentswithus.TheyhelptomakeChrist’slivingBodyactiveinourschool.

Draworwritethenamesofthepeoplewhohelptodothisinyourschoolinthescrollbelow:

Pray Together:GodtheFatherAlmighty,Wepraiseyou,wethankyou,wegiveyougloryforthegiftedandtalentedteachers,classroomassistantsandstaffwhoshareourlifeandstorieshereinourschool.

WearegratefulthattheyaresignstousofChrist’slivingBodyactiveinourschool.Continuetoblessthemintheirwork,andkeepthemfaithfultoyourteaching,nowandalways.Amen.

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Wednesday: Assembly to Honour and Celebrate our Grandparents

A Sacred Space containing: Candle;Bible;StBrigid’sCrossandenoughspacetoputphotographsorpicturesofthosewhocannotattend.Leader: LetusbeginourprayerinthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit.Amen.

Lighting of the CandleInvite a grandparent and grandchild to come forward and light the candle. The child could hold the candle as the grandparent lights it.

ThelightingofthecandleisareminderofGod’spresence,roundandaboutus,throughus,withusandinus.WegivethanksforthelightthatJesusbringstotheworldinwhichwelive,andforthelightthatweareforoneanother.

Hymn:

‘ChristismyLight’( Alive-O3,p.52; Alive-O5,p.23)

‘ChristbeourLight’( Alive-O6,p.110; Alive-O7,p.283; Alive-O8,p.273)

Leader: Todayisaveryspecialday.ItisGrandparents’Dayandweareblessedthatsomanygrandparentscouldbewithusforthiscelebration.Wewanttohonourandcelebrateyouallfortheimportantpartthatyouplayinthelifeofthecommunity,butmostsignificantlyinthelivesofthechildrenwhoaresittingherebesideyou.Youareveryimportanttothem,asweknowtheyaretoyou.Letuslistenforamomenttothenamesofthosegrandparentswhoareabletobewithustoday.

Calling of the namesLeader: Somegrandparentscannotbewithustoday.WehaveaskedchildrentobringphotosoftheirgrandparentswiththemandnowweinvitethemtocomeforwardandplacetheirpicturesinourSacredSpace.

As this is happening:

Leader: Somegrandparentslivefarawayandcouldnottravel,othersaresickathomeorinhospital,andsomearewithGodinheaven.WeaskGodtoblessandtakecareofallthegrandparentswhocannotbewithus.Maytheyknowthatwelovethemverymuch.

Leader: TodayisalsotheFeastofStBrigid,oneofthepatronSaintsofIreland.Wehonourhermemorytodayaswesing:

Sing:We sing a song to Brigid.

(Alive-Op.138, Alive-O2,p.155 Alive-O5p.377, Alive-O6,p.371)

Leader: LovingGod,youcalledSaintBrigidtoteachthosearoundhertolove,throughthewayshelivedherlife:caringforthoseinneed,feedingthehungryandgivingsheltertothosewhohadnone.Granteachoneofusthesamegenerousspirit,sothatwetoo,mayshowyourlovetoall.WemakethisprayerthroughChristourLord.

Amen.

Thisprayercouldbecelebratedinindividualclassroomsorasawholeschoolassembly.

You will need:• Someonetoleadtheprayertime• Aguestbookinwhichgrandparentscan

signtheirnamesastheyarrive• Agrandparentandchildtolightthecandle

atthebeginningoftheprayertime

• AreaderforthereflectionongrandparentsandfortheScripturereading

• FourreadersforthePrayeroftheFaithful.

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NowletuslistentoGod’swordtousonthisday.

Reader: A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians:

ThisiswhatIpraykneelingbeforetheFather,fromwhomeveryfamilyinheavenandonearthtakesitsname.Ipraythat,hemaygrantthatyoumaybestrengthenedinyourinnerbeingwithpowerthroughhisSpirit,andthatChristmayliveinyourheartsthroughfaith,andthen,plantedinloveandbuiltonlove,youwillwithallthesaintshavestrengthtograspthebreadthandthelength,theheightandthedepth,andtoknowtheloveofChristthatsurpassesknowledge,sothatyoumaybefilledwithallthefullnessofGod.

TheWordoftheLord.

Prayer of the FaithfulLeader: WeknowthatGodalwayslistenstouswhenweprayandsowebringourprayersbeforehim…

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 1:Weprayforallwhocareforus;thestaffofourschool,ourparents,grandparentsandourfamilies.Let us pray to the Lord.

Reader 2:Weprayforourteachers;thattheymaycontinuetohelpusbethebestthatwecanbe.Let us pray to the Lord.

Reader 3:Weprayforchildreneverywhere;thattheirhomesandschoolsareplaceswheretheyknowthattheyarelovedandcaredforalways.Let us pray to the Lord.

Reader 4:Weprayforallwhohavedied;werememberespeciallygrandparentsandallthoseweloved,maytheybeatpeacewithGodinhisheavenlyhome.Let us pray to the Lord.

Leader:WetaketheseprayersandtheprayersofourheartsandweofferthemtoGodaswestandandpraytogether:Our Father …

Final BlessingAswegofromthisplacewelistentothewordsofBlessedJohnPaulII:

‘Ileaveyounowwiththisprayer:

thattheLordJesuswillrevealhimselftoeachoneofyou,thathewillgiveyouthestrengthtogooutandprofessthatyouareChristian,thathewillshowyouthathealonecanfillyourhearts.

Accepthisfreedomandembracehistruth,andbemessengersofthecertaintythatyouhavebeentrulyliberatedthroughthedeathandresurrectionoftheLordJesus.

Thiswillbethenewexperience,thepowerfulexperience,thatwillgenerate,throughyou,amorejustsocietyandabetterworld.

Godblessyou,andmaythejoyofJesusbealwayswithyou.

Amen.’


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Feast of St BrigidTherearemanydifferentstoriesaboutStBrigidanditishardtoseparatefactfromfiction.WearetoldthatBrigidwasbornaround450ADinaplacecalledFaughart,afewmilesnorthofDundalkinCo.Louth.ThisplacehassuchstrongconnectionswithBrigidthatitbecameknownasFochard Bríde.HerfatherwasapaganchieftainwhowascalledDubhtach.Hermother,Brocca,wasaChristianslavewhowasbaptisedbyStPatrick.

Brigidwasaverygenerousandkindperson.Whenshewasoldenough,shehelpedtolookafterherfather’shouseandsheoftengaveawaymuchoftheirfoodandclothestopeoplewhoneededthem.Brigidwasknownforhergenerositytothepoor,andonestorytellshow,asachild,sheoncegaveawayhermother’swholestoreofbutter.Knowingthatthiswouldgetherintotroublesheprayedthatthestoreofbutterwouldbereplenishedandherprayerswereanswered.

AftersometimeshedecidedtodedicateherlifetoGod,andwithsevenotheryoungwomenshefoundedaconventinKildare.SheneededlandforhercommunityandsoshewenttotheKingofLeinsterandtoldhimthatshewouldonlyneedthelandthathercloakwouldcover.ThecloakgrewandgrewandspreadoverthewholeoftheCurragh.ThenameKildaremeans‘churchoftheoak’,anditislikelythattherewasalreadyaplacetherewherepagansworshipped.ItissaidthattherewasasacredfireinKildarewhichwaskeptburningbythepagans.BrigidkeptthiscustomandthelightofthefirecametobeunderstoodasthelightofChrist.TheflameofBrigidorSolas BhrídestillburnsinKildaretoday.BythetimeofBrigid’sdeatharound525,Kildarehadbecomeanimportantcentreoflearning.

BrigidtravelledbychariotalloverIreland.Sheisgivencreditformanymiraclesofhealing,suchascuringlepersandgivingspeechtothosewhocouldnottalk.Therearestoriesofherchangingwaterintoaleorstoneintosalt,andtherearelotsofotherstoriesabouthowmuchshelovedanimals.Shealsomanagedtogetpeoplewhohadbeentakencaptivereleased.Perhapsthebestknownstoryisofhervisittoadyingpaganchieftain.Whilesheprayed,shetookrushesfromthefloorandwovethemintoacross.WhileshewasweavingshetoldthechieftainallaboutJesusandhowhehaddiedonthecross.ThechieftainwasbaptisedandbecameaChristianbeforehedied.Brigid’scrossesaremadeeachStBrigid’sDay.

Christ’s Living Body Active in our Parish

Brigid was Christ’s living Body in her worldChoosethewordsthatbestdescribehowBrigidwasChrist’slivingBodyactiveinherworld.PuteachwordintoasentencethatgivesusmoreinformationaboutStBrigidandhermissiontobelikeChristintheparish.

Giving Selfish Caring IrresponsibleFeeding Unjust Loving ChangingDisrespectful Helpful Freeing Prayerful

E P V N K E G G G U G F W D X

L L X D R S N N R I G M H B B

M G A I Z I L I E H P G V V F

Y L E S P V J Y E J A V V V J

Y J S L E I I A N Z D N O A D

P I E T V K W R F Z B J V U T

B H O G J O A P L K L E C Z S

R E J U D X L C A C Z P S H C

H O C U G X Q U G Q L K G W Z

F Q E S N W S W N Z W N E B W

B C X R A S N W O T Y D I T J

X H K S N V Y W A S E R V E R

C H U R C H C H O I R E R O W

W W E P A S Z L U R P M R Q P

P N O Y N W H Q X W I S K C N


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How could the story of St Brigid help us to be Christ’s living Body in our parish? make a list.

Are there things we do already to be Christ’s living Body in the parish.

Findthefollowingwordsinthewordsearch.Thenseehowmanyoftheseactivitiesyouoryourclassdoinyourparish.

Think about!

E P V N K E G G G U G F W D X

L L X D R S N N R I G M H B B

M G A I Z I L I E H P G V V F

Y L E S P V J Y E J A V V V J

Y J S L E I I A N Z D N O A D

P I E T V K W R F Z B J V U T

B H O G J O A P L K L E C Z S

R E J U D X L C A C Z P S H C

H O C U G X Q U G Q L K G W Z

F Q E S N W S W N Z W N E B W

B C X R A S N W O T Y D I T J

X H K S N V Y W A S E R V E R

C H U R C H C H O I R E R O W

W W E P A S Z L U R P M R Q P

P N O Y N W H Q X W I S K C N

CAKE SALE

CHURCH CHOIR

GREEN FLAG

HELPING

PRAYING

SERVER

TIDY TOWNS

VOLUNTEER

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Thursday: Christ’s Living Body Active in our CountryPatron SaintsWhat is a Patron Saint? YesterdaywasthefeastofStBrigidandsheisoneofthethreePatronSaintsofIreland.TheothertwoareSaintPatrickandSaintColumba.Apatronsaintischosenasaspecialprotectororguardianforsomethingthatisimportanttous.Therearepatronsaintsofchurches,parishes,schools,countries,illnessesandofallkindsofjobs.Infact,therecanbeapatronsaintofanythingthatisimportanttosomeone.Thecustomofhavingpatronsaintsstartedalmost1,700yearsago.

How are Patron Saints made? Apopecanmakeornameapatronsaint,butsometimestheyarechosenbyapersonoragroup.Usuallythepersonorgrouplookingforapatronexplorethelivesofsaintstoseeiftheycanfindsomeconnectionbetweenthesaintandtheirparticularinterestorneed.Forexample,FrancisofAssisilovednatureandsoheispatronofecologists.FrancisdeSaleswasawriterandsoheispatronofjournalistsandwriters.StAndrew,whowasoneofthetwelveapostles,isthepatronsaintofScotland,becauselegendtellsusthathewasburiedthere.

Match the Patron Saint to their country or their job

st andrew ecologists

st george television

st david england

st francis of assisi sore throats

st blaise wales

st clare scotland

Find out:• Whoisthepatronsaintofyourschooloryourparish?• Whydoyouthinktheywerechosenforthisparticularjob?• Arethereanyothersaintsassociatedwithyourparish?• Whoisthepatronsaintforyourdiocese?• Chooseapatronsaintforyourclass.• IfyouoryourparentswerebornoutisdeofIreland,findoutabout

thepatronsaintofthatcountry.• Makeafactfileforsomeofthesaintsthatyouhavelearnedabout.

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On10–17June,2012,Dubliniscelebratingthe50thInternationalEucharisticCongress.ThiscongresswillbeagatheringofCatholicsfromallovertheworldandfromourtwenty-sixdioceseshereinIreland.Thethemeofthecongressis‘TheEucharist:CommunionwithChristandwithOneAnother’.

Theword‘Eucharist’means‘thanksgiving’.ItisanotherwordforHolyCommunion.CanyouthinkbacktothedaywhenyoumadeyourFirstHolyCommunion?Whatdoyourememberaboutthatday?Writeaboutitintheboxbelow.

ThelastEucharisticCongressthatwasheldinIrelandwasin1932.Manythingshavechangedinourcountrysincethen.ManythingshavechangedinhowwecelebrateourFirstHolyCommuniontoo.Interviewaparent,grandparentorolderpersoninyourcommunityabouttheirFirstHolyCommunion.Writeanaccountofitintheboxbelow.Thencompareittoyourownexperience.

Lookupwww.iec.2012.ieformoreinformationontheInternationalEucharisticCongress.PerhapsyouandyourfamilymightliketocometotheclosingMasscalledtheStatioOrbiswhichwillbeheldinCrokeParkon17June,2012.

Christ’s Living Body Active in Our Country

friday


Imagescourtesyof:Tró[email protected]

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Feast of St BlaiseSofarthisweek,wehavelookedathowwecanworkasactivemembersofChrist’sBodyinourhome,ourschool,ourparishandourcountry.Today,wewilllookathowwecanworktogethertomakeJesus’presencefeltinourworld.

TodayisthefeastofStBlaise.UsethekeybelowtodiscoverhowStBlaiseplayedhispartastheBodyofChristactiveintheworld.

Blaise priest Jesus world

became a

because he wanted

to bring God’s love to the.

He wanted people to know that we

all have a part to play as

’s Body, active in our

. As

well as being a,

was

also a doctor. He knew that

was a healer and that he had

cured many people who were sick.

wanted to help people too. He knew

that

needed him to be his

hands and feet in the.

Friday: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World

friday


TherearemanyotherorganisationsthatworkasChrist’sBodyintheworldtoday.Belowareweblinksforsomeofthem.Lookatthesewebsiteswithyourclassoryourfamilyandanswerthequestionsbelow:

http://www.trocaire.org/

Click into the ‘What We Do’ section. Fill in the blanks to read the five issues that Trócaire focuses on:

1.E p a h

2.F f j

3.S w

4.O D

5.T H

http://www.wmi.ie/go/chc

Click into the ‘Pray Together’ section. Fill in the blanks to pray the Mission Prayer:

M y a c

I t w

S l

S f

a l

I t p

O G l

N a f . A .

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Over To You!TrócaireandChildrenHelpingChildrenareplayingtheirpartasChrist’slivingBodyactiveinourworld.Whatcanyoudoinyourownlife?Chooseoneoftheactivitiesbeloworaddyourown.

I can make Christ’s living Body active in the world by …

Makingacollectionofclothesforpeopleinneed

LearningmoreaboutcharitieslikeTrócaireandChildrenHelpingChildren

Prayingforchildrenandfamilieswholiveinpoverty

Raisingmoneyforcharityinafunandinterestingway

Tellingothersaboutissuesthataffectpeopleindevelopingcountries

Prayingforpeoplewhoworkforjusticeintheworld

WefocustodayonChrist’slivingBodyactiveinourworld.Irishpeoplearerecognisedallacrosstheworldasfriendly,caringandgenerouspeople.Inthelastfewyears,wehavewelcomedmanynewfriendstoIrelandfromothercountries.WegivethankstoGodfortheirfriendship,andallthegiftsthattheybringtous.Together,weplayourpartasChrist’slivingBodyactiveinourworld.

Wecansay,‘ThankyouGod!’inmanydifferentlanguages.SayingthesamethingindifferentwaysshowshowweareallpartofChrist’slivingBody,andthatweallhaveourownparttoplay.

Match the languages in the right-hand column with the phrases on the left. Together,wethankGodforthegiftofeachother.

¡Gracias a Dios! Gaeilge

Buíochas le Dia! French

Salamat sa Diyos! Filipino

Merci Dieu! German

Danke Gott! Italian

Ringrazio Dio Lativan

Paldies Dievam Polish

Dzi kuj Bogu Portugese

Obrigado Deus Slovenian

Hvala Bogu Spanish

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Assembly to Close Catholic Schools WeekYou will need:• Someonetoleadtheassembly• OnechildtoreadtheprayerofStTeresaoutlinedbelow• AnumberofchildrenwillingtosharehowtheymadeChrist’slivingBodyactiveintheirhomes

thisweek(seepage13)• Asacredspacecontainingacandle,aBible,acrossandsomeholywater• ACDorsuitablemusicaccompanimentforoneofthefollowingsongs: ‘OneWon’tDo!’(Alive-O2) ‘BodyofChrist’(Alive-O6)

Leader: Goodmorningeveryone,andwelcometoourassembly,whichmarkstheendofCatholicSchoolsWeek.WebegininthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolySpirit,Amen.LetuslistentoaprayerwrittenbyStTeresaofÁvila:

Reader:Christhasnobodynowonearth,butyours,nohandsbutyours,nofeetbutyours.YoursaretheeyesthroughwhichhelooksoutChrist’scompassiontotheworld.Yoursarethefeetwithwhichheistogoaboutdoinggood,andyoursarethehandswithwhichheistoblessusnow.

Leader: ThesewordscanhelpustounderstandwhatitmeanswhenwesaywearetheBodyofChrist.Jesusreliesonus,ashisfollowers,tobringhislovetotheworld.Duringthisweek,wehavemadeaspecialefforttoshowthatChristisactiveinourworldthroughus.Letuslistentosomeofthethingswehavedone:

[Some children might like to summarise their activities at this point. You could also scan their words or pictures from page 16 and use a digital projector to show them to those who have gathered.]

Leader: WethankGodforourCatholicschool,andforallwhoworkandlearninit.WepraythatwewillalwaysrespondtoJesus’calltoustoplayourpartashislivingBody,activeinourworld.LetusmakethisprayertoourFatherinheaven.Our Father …

Leader: WeknowthatourBodyisChrist’sBody.WeneedourbodiestobringChrist’slovetoworld.So,wearegoingtoblesseachother’shands,andaskGodtohelpusalltouseourhandstodohisworkandtobringhislovetotheworld.

[Invite children to turn to the person next to them, and to make the sign of the cross on the palms of each other’s hands. Ask them to say the words ‘Use your hands as Christ would’ or similar as they do so.]

Sing: Chooseasongaslistedabove,orasuitablealternative.

Cut along the dotted line and wrap around your prayer candle.

Be sure to remove wrapper before candle burns to level of paper.


Christ’s Living Body Active In Our World

The members of the Steering Committee are:Gary Abrahamian; Lloyd Bracken; Jim Cassin; Martin Delaney; Colette Dower; Brenda Drumm; Michael Drumm; Paul Farren; Eileen Flynn; Fiona Gallagher; Maighread Ní Ghallchobhair; Seán Goan; Maura Hyland; Martin Long; Maeve Mahon; Bernie Martin; Michael Redmond; Maria Spring; Orla Walsh; Eithne Woulfe

Resources for the Primary School Community: Home, School & Parish


Christ’s Living Body Active in Our WorldResources for the Primary School Community: Home, School & Parish29 January–4 February 2012


Theme: Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World

Documents

Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World · 2016. 2. 10. · Christ’s Living Body Active in Our World Resources for the Primary School Community: Home, ... Two copies of this