Adapted for use in RCCDSB Schools

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

PRAYERS & ACTIVITIES FOR

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

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SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Catholic Education Week 2019: Living as Joyful Disciples

Introduction

Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique

identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic education during Catholic Education Week.

This year’s celebration is entitled, “Catholic Education: Living as Joyful Disciples” and will be

celebrated during the week of May 5 – May 10. The theme for CEW 2019 was inspired by three

sources: Renewing the Promise, The Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education from the Bishops of

Ontario; Gaudete et exsultate, the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis on the Call to Holiness;

and Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, the October 2018 Synod of Bishops.

Mindful of the Synod on Youth, the theme and sub-themes are very much directed to the young

people in our schools, especially in their growth in holiness and their formation as disciples of

Christ through the discernment of their vocational pathways. In the section of Renewing the

Promise entitled, “A Community that Forms Joyful Disciples,” we read, “Our Catholic schools

help to form joyful disciples as hearts and minds are opened to the transforming love of God and

to the flame of faith in action. On a daily basis, Catholic schools demonstrate the joy of believing

and witness the Good News to the communities that they serve.”

The five sub-themes for Catholic Education: Living as Joyful Disciples are:

Rooted in Prayer

Living in Community

Doing Justice & Creating Hope

Journeying Together in Faith

Sharing the Good News

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The purpose of the Secondary School Resource Kit is to provide opportunities for students to

engage in meaningful activities and reflections to deepen their awareness and understanding of

both the gift and the responsibility of Catholic education. The Secondary Resource Kit contains:

Daily prayers and reflections

An outline for a one-day secondary school retreat

A suggested movie list related to the five sub-themes of CEW 2019

Scripture readings and quotes

Feel free to adapt any of the materials in this package to suit your school’s specific needs.

Materials may be found on the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) website

at www.goodnewsforall.ca. We encourage all of our partners in Catholic education to reference

the Elementary and Secondary Resource Kits as well as past issues for prayers and activities, as

many may be appropriate for this year’s theme. Furthermore, the retreat outline offered for use

with students, may be used at any time during the year and could easily be modified in whole, or

in part, for use with adults (staff retreats, parent meetings, board office meetings). This, or other

retreats from past Catholic Education Week Resource Packages, could be kept for use in future

years.

Sincerely,

Catholic Education Week Resource Committee

Paul Beaudette

Janet Bentham

Nancy Davie

Paul DeVuono

Laura Hughes

Sebastien Lacroix

Stephanie Maher

Katharine Stevenson

Murray Watson

Brian O’Sullivan

CEW Song – Words and Music

Nancy Bodsworth, Dufferin-Peel CDSB

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“Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even

though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice

with an indescribable and glorious joy.”

1 Peter 1:8

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

MAY 5 – MAY 10, 2019 WWW.GOODNEWSFORALL.CA

CATHOLIC EDUCATION: LIVING AS JOYFUL DISCIPLES

SECONDARY SCHOOL RESOURCE KIT

Table of Contents

1. Daily prayers

2. Further reflection for each of the five sub-themes

3. An outline for a one-day secondary school retreat

4. Movie resources related to the five sub-themes

5. Scripture readings and quotes related to the five sub-themes

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Morning Prayers, Scripture Analysis and

Reflection Questions

Students

You are a most significant educational influence on each other.

We invite you to become active participants in the process of Catholic education. We urge you to

bring your energy, enthusiasm and generosity to the task of building a Catholic community

within your school and to shaping the vision of Catholic education. Your strengths and your

weaknesses, your joys and your fears, your struggles and your longings, will be welcomed in this

community. Whatever your age, you are not too young to assume responsibility with and for your

fellow students. You are a most significant educational influence on each other. You can help

each other become disciples of Jesus Christ, or you can hinder each other from becoming

everything you are called to be. How you are with one another now will significantly influence

how you will be with others as adults. The future of the church and its mission of service in the

world will be yours. For this, you will need courage, self-discipline and all the love you are able

to give. Take up the challenge of growing into a sense of who you are as Christians, so that you

can develop the talents you have been given and bring the best of yourself to the society in which

you will be living.

This Moment of Promise, Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, 1989

Depending on your school’s practice, these prayers can be used in a variety of ways. Some

schools have daily prayer over the school intercom, while others invite prayer within the

community of the classroom. Each day, schools are invited to offer their own prayers and special

intentions, specific to the particular needs of their community of faith.

Each prayer emphasizes a sub-theme of Catholic Education Week. Following the daily prayers,

the Gospel reading is broken open in a more fulsome way. Individual classes may choose to

expand upon the prayer by delving deeper into the Gospel that was proclaimed. Reflection

questions have been provided for personal student reflection and/or to facilitate further classroom

discussion.

You may wish to select one or two individuals per homeroom class, prior to Catholic Education

Week, to serve as prayer leaders each day. These students could be trained by the school’s

Chaplaincy Leader to facilitate a prayer experience within the classroom. The prayer leaders

could serve to deepen an understanding of some, or all, of the sub-themes by continuing the

prayer begun in the morning and leading a deeper reflection, as suggested in the questions

provided.

However you choose to use the prayers, Scripture analyses and reflection questions, there is

plenty of room to experience the gift of Catholic education. In each corner of this province, there

are young people being shaped by their Catholic educational experience and Living as Joyful

Disciples!

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A Note About the Structure of the Daily Prayers

Each day, the Call to Prayer briefly introduces the daily sub-theme for Catholic Education Week

and provides an orientation for the prayer that day:

Monday – Rooted in Prayer: Our vocation as disciples of Jesus has to be rooted in a

living, authentic relationship of daily prayer, speaking honestly to God and listening with

an open heart to what God is asking of us.

Tuesday – Living in Community: Our lives as Christians are never lived on a purely

individual level; we are called to reach out to others, to be part of a dynamic network,

inspired by faith, hope and love. To be Christians, we need each other!

Wednesday – Doing Justice & Creating Hope: Social justice is an integral part of our

life as Church. We are called to support the dignity of others, and work, so that their

needs are met, so that they may look to the future with hope and eagerness.

Thursday – Journeying Together in Faith: In the face of challenges and struggles, we

strive to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and to ground ourselves in the faith we share in

common.

Friday – Sharing the Good News: As Catholic Christians, we have a message to offer to

our world (better yet, we have a Person to offer to our world!). How can our words,

choices and actions, proclaim Jesus in a way that our world can see and hear him?

Contemporary Music Suggestions: The suggested songs reflect on the sub-theme from different

angles and draw upon the gifts and faith of modern Christian musicians. Most music suggestions

can be found on YouTube and their lyrics can be found online. Reading through the lyrics and

discussing them, can be a valuable way to “unpack” what the composer is trying to say to us

today. In many cases, these songs are well-suited to more than one day of Catholic Education

Week. Feel free to mix-and-match them as needed, based on the situation of your own school

community or class.

The Opening Prayer asks God’s blessing upon our day and focuses our petitions more

specifically, on the gifts we need to live well, the aspect of joyful discipleship that we are

emphasizing that day.

The Scripture Passages root the day’s sub-themes in portions of the New Testament, that speak

about what discipleship means and how we live it out in our own lives.

The Closing Prayer draws our personal petitions together and calls upon God to pour out his

gifts on us, so that we may live authentically, the message we have prayerfully reflected on.

Each morning prayer concludes with a short quotation from the Ontario Bishops’ 2018

document, Renewing the Promise, connecting that important text with the day’s sub-theme, and

rooting our meditations in the educational vision sketched out by our chief shepherds.

(Note: Many of the suggested songs can be used for more than one of the days of this week).

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MONDAY – ROOTED IN PRAYER

Source: https://pixabay.com/en/holding-hands-bible-praying-friends-752878/ via Creative Common Images

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

CALL TO PRAYER

This year’s theme reminds us that we are called to be disciples and to live out our discipleship

joyfully each day. But we know that the path of following Jesus can be challenging at times. The

only way we can live out our faith joyfully is if we are rooted in a living, daily relationship with

Jesus… if we make the time each day to pray to him, to listen to him, and to commit ourselves to

living out that relationship. Prayer is the soil from which real discipleship grows and flourishes.

As we begin this Catholic Education Week, we want to be a people who make the time each day

to pray; simply, genuinely, and from our hearts. May our prayer open us to the needs of our

world and help us to learn God’s compassion.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SUGGESTION

Come, Now is the Time to Worship by Brian Doerksen

When We Pray by Tauren Wells

Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher

Great Are You, Lord by Leslie Jordan, David Leonard & Jason Ingram

O Lord, Hear My Prayer by Taizé in CBW III #568

Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen. +

OPENING PRAYER

God of compassion, you are always close to your people. You know and understand our needs

and you lovingly hear our prayers. Help us to trust in your goodness and to come before you with

honest and open hearts. Broaden our prayers to include all of our sisters and brothers, and may

they contribute to the building up of your Kingdom, for we pray in the Holy name of Jesus our

Lord.

Lord Jesus, like us, you grew up within a faith tradition that was thousands of years old. Help

me to grow in my appreciation for the roots of Catholic education in the long tradition of the

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Church and to make my faith a more central part of my life at home and at school. In a world that

seems to become more secular every day, give me the courage and the conviction to share the

living waters of my faith with others. Amen. +

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 7:7-12

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock,

and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who

searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among

you, who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a

snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more

will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask him? In everything, do to others as

you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer of the Faithful Intentions Reflecting the Needs of Your School

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, at every moment of the day and night, you are attentive to the prayers of your children.

Help us to grow as prayerful people, to know what we ought to pray for, and to offer those

prayers in confidence and faith, for you are a tender and loving God, who want your children to

serve you with joy. We bring these prayers before you today in the name of Jesus your Son, who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. +

And may Almighty God bless us: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Recognizing the presence of Jesus in your life and learning to pray, can provide a sure support

and guide, helping you to say “yes” to all of the wonderful possibilities of life. You can find him

in the prayers and the liturgical celebrations of your school community and within the

community itself, where you will find you are loved and accepted, just as you are.”

“Students”

in Renewing the Promise, 2018

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TUESDAY – LIVING IN COMMUNITY

Source: https://pixabay.com/en/heart-love-togetherness-people-fun-1644667/ via Creative Common Images

“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually, we are members, one of

another.” Romans 12:5

CALL TO PRAYER

Our faith tells us that we were not meant to live isolated lives. In fact, God says, in the process of

creation, that it is not a good thing for human beings to be alone. Together, we are stronger.

Together, we can draw on a richer variety of gifts, talents and life experiences. Together, we can

benefit from each other’s uniqueness and differences, if we work together to build up a

community based on cooperation, respect, generosity and welcome. At its heart, the Church is

also a community, meant to model the love that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have for each

other. Let us ask God today for the gifts we need, to live as the kind of community he wants us to

be and to radiate Jesus’ welcome to all people.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SUGGESTION

Make Us One by Jesus Culture

We Are One by The City Harmonic

And the People Said Amen by Matt Maher

We Are One Body by Dana Scallon (https://youtu.be/U7Rursc5BO0)

Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath

Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen. +

OPENING PRAYER

Lord, from every tribe and people, nation and language, you gather us into a community united

by faith, hope and love. You summon us to reach out to others with compassion and care, in

service and cooperation, and to shape a world of justice and peace, inspired by the values of your

Kingdom. Help us to see your face in all those around us. Help us to realize that, beyond all our

differences, we are all your children, created in your image, and called to unity and sharing. Lead

us closer and closer in the family of the Church and teach us to reach out generously to all of our

brothers and sisters. May our harmony help to bring greater harmony to your world and may our

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openness to others help to dispel prejudice, suspicion and fear. We ask this in the name of Jesus

Christ, our Lord. Amen. +

SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:2-8

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that

you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the

grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you

ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that

God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the

same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members,

one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us… prophecy, in

proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation;

the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayer of the Faithful Intentions Reflecting the Needs of Your School

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, unity is your great desire for the whole human family. Help us to be messengers and

builders of that unity in our daily lives – to be people who build bonds of friendship and

community, of togetherness and support. May your love inspire us to reach out each day,

especially to those who may be neglected or marginalized, misunderstood or alone, and to

welcome them warmly. Together, may our rich diversity remind our world that every person has

dignity and value, and that each one of us has a place in your community and a place in your

love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. +

And may Almighty God bless us: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Catholic education forms communities of faith that help students experience the love of God…

The more we love God, the more we love our neighbour and the more we engage in the

community.”

“A Community That Encourages Engagement and Instils Hope”

in Renewing the Promise, 2018

Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, 1989

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WEDNESDAY – DOING JUSTICE & CREATING HOPE

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/takver/541582802 via Creative Common Images

“Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge

righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9

CALL TO PRAYER

As we look around our world today – and locally as well – we see situations of inequality and

repression, of suffering, poverty, war and injustice. As disciples of Jesus, we believe that we

have a baptismal responsibility for trying to shape a more just and peaceful world. Indeed, as The

World Synod of Bishops said back in 1971, “Action, on behalf of justice and participation in the

transformation of the world, fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the

Gospel, or in other words, of the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its

liberation from every oppressive situation” (1971 Synod of Bishops, “Justice in the World,” #6).

How can we contribute to a world where all of our sisters and brothers have access to the things

they need to lead a dignified, joyful life? How can we change our own ways of living, to be

people of solidarity, peace-making and justice? How can our actions promote a better world, and

foster hope?

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SUGGESTION

Do Something by Matthew West

God of Justice by Tim Hughes

Here I Am, Lord by Dan Schutte

I Will Go by Starfield

No Outsiders by Rend Collective

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Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen. +

OPENING PRAYER

Merciful Lord, you invite us to see the world around us through your eyes and with your heart, to

feel compassion for all those who are suffering and struggling, and to use our talents, time and

treasure to lift up those who are in need. Give us courage as we try to transform our world

according to your teachings, hope as we seek a world of justice and peace, and love for all

people, especially those who are most abandoned or forgotten. May we see the face of Jesus in

them, serve them with tenderness and work to promote a society where no one is alone, where no

one is in need, where all of us can live out the vocation you have given us, in freedom and joy.

We pray in the name of Jesus and the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +

SCRIPTURE: Luke 4:16-21

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the

Sabbath Day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was

given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written... “The Spirit of the

Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to

proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to

proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant,

and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them,

“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer of the Faithful Intentions Reflecting the Needs of Your School

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you have taught us that whatever we do to the least of our sisters and brothers, we do

to you. Pour out your Spirit upon us and inspire us in the work of doing justice and making peace

and of building up a world of inclusion and equity. Give us the vision to know how and where

we can make a difference, in small and big ways, and lead us into a love that is broad and

courageous. May our efforts, done in your name, contribute to the transformation of our world,

and truly bring good news to those who need it most. We ask this in your name, Jesus, our

companion and our Lord. Amen. +

And may Almighty God bless us: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Catholic schools form disciples with a social conscience who put their faith into action.

Students and staff help to promote engagement with the local and global community through

their many acts of charity and by their witness to social justice and environmental stewardship.”

“A Community That Encourages Engagement and Instils Hope”

in Renewing the Promise, 2018

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THURSDAY – JOURNEYING TOGETHER IN FAITH

Source: https://www.maxpixel.net/Row-Four-Man-Woman-People-Walking-Together-3755342 via Creative Common Images

“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you, will bring it to

completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

CALL TO PRAYER

Our Christian life is an amazing adventure, filled with incredible high-points, but also marked by

moments of tragedy, sorrow and disappointment. There are times we can feel alone, but our faith

reminds us that we are part of a much larger community – the Church – that supports us as we

walk the path of discipleship and nourishes our hearts and souls. Our Christian community

reminds us that we have the best of companions as we journey… Jesus, who is Immanuel, God-

with-us. He understands our joys and sorrows, and every aspect of our lives, and invites us to

consciously share the journey with him, through a genuine relationship. Together with Jesus, and

accompanied by so many other disciples around us, we can look ahead of us with eagerness,

conviction and joy.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SUGGESTION

Set the World On Fire by Britt Nicole

At Evening by David Haas

Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen. +

OPENING PRAYER

Lord, we praise and bless you for all those who are our companions on our journey of faith and

learning. In the midst of life’s struggles, it is reassuring to know that we are surrounded by other

disciples who support us as we live out our faith each day. Help us to build up the bonds of

community and cooperation, to encourage others, and together, to build up your Kingdom of

justice, inclusion, solidarity and peace. As part of your family, the Church, we know that we are

never alone. We praise and bless you, Lord, in Jesus’ name, now and forever. Amen. +

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SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11:28-30

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus spoke to the crowds, saying, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy

burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle

and humble in hart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is

light.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer of the Faithful Intentions Reflecting the Needs of Your School

CLOSING PRAYER

Loving Father, in our weariness and struggles, we come before you knowing that we are never

alone on our journey. Strengthen us when we are exhausted, reinvigorate us when we may be

discouraged, and give us new direction when we feel lost or confused. Be close to all those who

are in special need right now, and surround them with the love and support that they need. Lead

us forward in confidence toward the future of hope that you have prepared for us, and help us to

be good companions to our fellow travelers, today and always. Blessed are you, O Lord, who

sustain your people on their journeys. Amen. +

And may Almighty God bless us: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

“In a world marked by poverty, oppression and war, we are commanded to work for justice and

peace.”

“Catholic schools are communities of accompaniment where the story of our salvation is known

and shared, offering the encouragement that comes from knowing that Jesus walks with us”

“A Community That Accompanies”

in Renewing the Promise, 2018

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FRIDAY – SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

Source: https://media.defense.gov/2014/Apr/17/2000791856/-1/-1/0/140417-A-LJ771-020.jpg via Creative Common Images

“I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said,

‘Here I am; send me!’” Isaiah 6:8

CALL TO PRAYER

As Christians, we believe that the message about Jesus is truly Good News for all of the human

family. It has the power to renew and inspire us, and to transform our world for the better. But, in

order for this Good News to touch and impact people, it first has to be shared. We share our faith

by our words, when we speak about what Jesus means to us. But perhaps more importantly, we

communicate our faith through our actions – by the choices we make and the priorities we

pursue in our lives. Ultimately, the credibility of Christianity depends upon how we live out our

beliefs. Each one of us has a vital role to play, as messengers of the Gospel to our modern world.

People around us watch us and we want them to see us putting our faith into practice, in big ways

and small ones.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SUGGESTION

The Cause of Christ by Kari Jobe

Go by Kristian Stanfill

Until the Whole World Hears by Casting Crowns

A City On A Hill by The City Harmonic

Carry the Light by Twila Paris

World Changers by Matthew West

Here I Am, Lord by Dan Schutte

I Will Go by Starfield

Life Song by Casting Crowns

Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen. +

OPENING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, we thank you for the gift of our faith and for your constant presence in our lives.

Help us to be good ambassadors of your Gospel, listening to others with respect and compassion,

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and sharing with them the Good News of your life, death and resurrection. May our words and

actions radiate your love to others and invite them to know you and love you. Inspire us to be

good witnesses of your message and to bring your light, hope and healing to all those who may

be in need. We make this prayer in the power of your holy name. Amen. +

SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:13-35

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

Now on that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles

from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they

were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were

kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while

you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas,

answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have

taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about

Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,

and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified

him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now

the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us.

They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came

back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of

those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did

not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe

all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these

things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he

interpreted to them the things about himself in all the Scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on.

But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is

now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took

bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they

recognized him and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts

burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the Scriptures to

us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem and they found the eleven and their

companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed and he has

appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made

known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer of the Faithful Intentions Reflecting the Needs of Your School

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, just as you accompanied the companions on the road to Emmaus, so you are with us,

each and every day on our journeys. Speak your word of hope and inspiration to us, especially

when we are discouraged, saddened or confused, and help us to discover the deeper meaning of

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the Emmaus story. Touch our tongues so that we may proclaim you to others in our

conversations, and touch our lives so that we may witness faithfully to you by our daily actions.

May the resurrected joy you place in our hearts strengthen us to share that joy with others, and to

offer them your life-giving friendship. We praise you, Risen Lord, with the Father and the Holy

Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. +

And may Almighty God bless us: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

“The ‘New Evangelization’ calls each one of us to deepen our own faith, believe in the gospel

message, and go forth to proclaim the gospel, in what we say and in what we do.”

“A Community That Builds Relationships”

in Renewing the Promise, 2018

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Monday – Rooted in Prayer

In that silence, we can discern, in the light of the Spirit, the

paths of holiness to which the Lord is calling us. Otherwise,

any decisions we make may only be window-dressing that,

rather than exalting the Gospel in our lives, will mask or

submerge it. For each disciple, it is essential to spend time with

the Master, to listen to his words, and to learn from him always.

Unless we listen, all our words will be nothing but useless

chatter.

Think of your own history when you pray, and there you will

find much mercy. This will also increase your awareness that

the Lord is ever mindful of you; he never forgets you. So, it

makes sense to ask him to shed light on the smallest details of

your life, for he sees them all.

Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exsultate

Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness, 150-153

Scripture Reading and Reflection

Read Matthew 7:7-12 (side column →)

For Reflection:

This passage assures us that our prayer is heard and answered;

that what we ask, search, and yearn for, is recognized by God.

God responds.

Looking back on my life, have I always wanted what is best for

me?

Has there ever been a time when I didn’t receive what I asked

for in prayer, but recognized later on that it was for the best

(like the title of the Garth Brooks song, “Some of God’s

Greatest Gifts are Unanswered Prayers”)?

Keeping this Scripture passage in mind, consider the words of

Pope Francis, “Though it may seem obvious, we should

remember that holiness consists in a habitual openness to the

transcendent.” In other words, prayer is not so much an activity

that we engage in from time to time as an ongoing opening of

the heart to God’s work in our lives, something that should

change us rather than God.

Pope Francis also stresses the importance of moments spent

alone with God – in silence. What are some of the ways that

you make time for silence in your own life?

“Ask, and it will be given to

you; search, and you will

find; knock, and the door

will be opened for you. For

everyone who asks,

receives, and everyone who

searches, finds, and for

everyone who knocks, the

door will be opened. Is there

anyone among you, who if

your child asks for bread,

will give a stone? Or if the

child asks for a fish, will

give a snake? If you then,

who are evil, know how to

give good gifts to your

children, how much more

will your Father in Heaven

give good things to those

who ask him?

In everything, do to others

as you would have them do

to you; for this is the law

and the prophets.”

Matthew 7:7-12

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Tuesday – Living in Community

People often comment that when they enter a Catholic school

they feel a special presence. This does not come from the

building or even the religious symbols that are an important

witness to our faith. The presence comes from Christ who is

proclaimed by word and example, and is evidenced by the way

people care for one another – “see how they love one another.”

“A Community That Builds Relationships”

Renewing the Promise, 2018

Scripture Reading and Reflection

Read Romans 12:2-8 (side column →)

For Reflection:

The passage begins with a plea to not be conformed to “this

world.” In Paul’s day, this was the world of the Roman Empire.

What is the nature of “this world” in our own time and place?

In this letter to the Church in Rome, Paul uses the image of a

body, or the body of Christ, to talk about the community of

believers. Though not all alike and with different gifts, all are

part of a single body in which the many different parts or

members, each play an important role.

Looking back on my life, what has been my role in the

communities that I have been a part of: my family, my school,

my circle of friends, my parish, my team?

What am I called to do and more importantly, who am I called

to be, in these communities?

Keeping this Scripture passage in mind, consider the words of

Pope Francis, who sees community as a sign of holiness in

today’s world,

“A community that cherishes the little details of love,

whose members care for one another and create an open

and evangelizing environment, is a place where the

risen Lord is present…”

Do not be conformed to this

world, but be transformed

by the renewing of your

minds, so that you may

discern what is the will of

God – what is good and

acceptable and perfect. For

by the grace given to me, I

say to everyone among you

not to think of yourself more

highly than you ought to

think, but to think with

sober judgement, each

according to the measure of

faith that God has assigned.

For as is one body, we have

many members, and not all

the members have the same

function, so we, who are

many, are one body in

Christ, and individually, we

are members, one of

another. We have gifts that

differ according to the grace

given to us… prophecy, in

proportion to faith; ministry,

in ministering; the teacher,

in teaching; the exhorter, in

exhortation; the giver, in

generosity; the leader, in

diligence; the

compassionate, in

cheerfulness.

Romans 12:2-8

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Wednesday – Doing Justice & Creating Hope

Sr. Louise Dunn was a sister of the Congregation of Notre

Dame. After teaching for 28 years, Sr. Louise studied to be an

addictions counsellor. In 1983, she co-founded Serenity

Renewal for Families, serving thousands of Canadians

struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. Sr. Louise said,

“Many of you, like myself, have had dreams come true. That is

the best way to describe Serenity Renewal for Families.” She

worked to bring hope to individuals oppressed by addictions for

over 30 years.

Sr. Louise is a model of working for justice and creating hope.

She was respected and valued by the Ottawa-Gatineau

community. Sr. Louise passed away on December 27, 2018.

Her legacy will live on in the communities in which she served.

Scripture Reading and Reflection

Read Luke 4:16-21 (side column →)

For Reflection:

Working for justice usually calls us outside our comfort zones.

It is a calling that requires individuals to do whatever it takes to

bring hope to others. Jesus called his community to justice and

to bring hope. This is the Good News. Sometimes, people are

not receptive to calls for justice. Still, our world has many

individuals who bring hope through tireless work for healing,

equity and justice. In this Gospel passage are themes of

promise and fulfillment. In Jesus, God fulfills ancient promises.

The Spirit of the Lord is for the benefit of those who are

hungry, sick or imprisoned – the physically, economically and

socially unfortunate. All of humanity is precious to God!

Where do you see the need in society for more leaders like Sr.

Louise?

With many people suffering with addictions and homelessness,

why do you think this is an issue of justice?

In Chapter 4 of St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus stands up in the

synagogue and reads the words from the prophet Isaiah: “The

Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to

bring good news to the poor.” How can we do justice and

create hope by bringing good news to “the poor” (those who

are physically, economically and socially unfortunate)?

When he came to Nazareth,

where he had been brought

up, he went to the

synagogue on the Sabbath

Day, as was his custom. He

stood up to read and the

scroll of the prophet Isaiah

was given to him. He

unrolled the scroll and

found the place where it is

written… “The Spirit of the

Lord is upon me, because he

has anointed me to bring

good news to the poor. He

has sent me to proclaim

release to the captives and

recovery of sight to the

blind, to let the oppressed

go free, to proclaim the year

of the Lord’s favour.” And

he rolled up the scroll, gave

it back to the attendant, and

sat down. The eyes of all in

the synagogue were fixed on

him. Then he began to say

to them, “Today this

scripture has been fulfilled

in your hearing.”

Luke 4:16-21

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Thursday – Journeying Together in Faith

During World Youth Day 2013, Pope Francis said,

“We need a church capable of walking at people’s side, of

doing more than simply listening to them; a church that

accompanies them on their journey; a church able to make

sense of the ‘night’ contained in the flight of so many of our

brothers and sisters from Jerusalem; a church that realizes

that the reasons why people leave, also contains the reasons

why they can eventually return. But, we need to know how

to interpret, with courage, the larger picture. Jesus warmed

the hearts of the disciples of Emmaus.”

Jesus met the disciples on the road to Emmaus in their despair

and confusion. He walked with them in compassion and love

and helped them to understand the meaning of his Passion,

Death and Resurrection. This encounter with Jesus transformed

the disciples.

“This is what Pope Francis means when he speaks about the art

of accompaniment. It is about taking the time to walk alongside

one another, to listen and to teach, and in so doing, to

transform.” “A Community that Accompanies”

Renewing the Promise, 2018

Scripture Reading and Reflection

Read Matthew 11:28-30 (side column →)

For Reflection:

In this Scripture passage, Jesus offers rest and comfort to all

who are burdened. Jesus models the law of love and

compassion. When we take on Jesus’ way as a yoke, we allow

Jesus to accompany and transform our lives.

What are the “night” experiences and burdens that young

people encounter today?

The “art of accompaniment” requires us to meet people where

they are. What does it mean to meet people where they are?

- At home?

- At school?

- On the street?

How does an understanding of Jesus help you to be Christ for

others as you accompany them on their journey?

“Come to me, all you that

are weary and are carrying

heavy burdens, and I will

give you rest. Take my yoke

upon you and learn from

me, for I am gentle and

humble in heart, and you

will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my

burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

22

Friday – Sharing the Good News

Holiness is also parrhesía [a confidently spoken word]; it is

boldness, an impulse to evangelize and to leave a mark in this

world. To allow us to do this, Jesus himself comes and tells us

once more, serenely yet firmly, “Do not be afraid” (Mark 6:50).

“I am with you always, to the end of the world” (Matthew

28:20).

True enough, we need to open the door of our hearts to Jesus,

who stands and knocks (cf. Rev 3:20). Sometimes I wonder,

though, if perhaps Jesus is already inside us, and knocking on

the door for us to let him escape from our stale self-

centredness. In the Gospel, we see how Jesus “went through the

cities and villages, preaching and bringing the Good News of

the Kingdom of God” (Luke 8:1). After the Resurrection, when

the disciples went forth in all directions, the Lord accompanied

them (cf. Mark 16:20). This is what happens as the result of

true encounter.

Pope Francis, Gaudete et exsultate

Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness, 129, 136

Scripture Reading and Reflection

Read Luke 24:13-35

For Reflection:

Boldness is an impulse to evangelize and leave a mark on this

world, and is a quality of many young people today. At the

various World Youth Days over the past many years, and at the

Synod on Youth, which took place in October 2018, the Popes

have called on young people to let this parrhesia shine out and

to be confident and bold to share the good news of their

personal encounter with the Risen Jesus.

Living as joyful disciples means wanting to share the good

news of how your life has been changed by the encounter with

Jesus. Describe a moment or moments in your life when you

feel you have had a personal encounter with Jesus.

Pope Francis talks about how Jesus is knocking from inside of

us, wanting to “escape from our stale self-centeredness.” What

is the stale self-centeredness from which Jesus is trying to

escape in my own life?

Now on that same day, two of

them were going to a village

called Emmaus, about seven

miles from Jerusalem, and

talking with each other about

all these things that had

happened. While they were

talking and discussing, Jesus

himself came near and went

with them, but their eyes

were kept from recognizing

him…

As they came near the village

to which they were going,

Jesus walked ahead as if he

was going on. But they urged

him strongly, saying, “Stay

with us, because it is almost

evening and the day is now

nearly over.” So, he went in

to stay with them. When he

was at the table with them, he

took bread, blessed and broke

it, and gave it to them. Then

their eyes were opened and

they recognized him and he

vanished from their sight.

They said to each other,

“Were not our hearts burning

within us while he was

talking to us on the road,

while he was opening the

scriptures to us? That same

hour, they got up and

returned to Jerusalem and

they found the eleven and

their companions, gathered

together. They were saying,

“The Lord has risen indeed,

and he has appeared to

Simon!” Then, they told what

had happened on the road and

how he had been made

known to them in in the

breaking of the bread.

Luke 24: 13-16, 28-35

23

An Outline for a Secondary School Retreat

Although these activities are designed to be delivered outside the regular school environment as

a retreat, they can easily be adapted for use in the classroom. Some activities could be adapted

for adult prayer time. Each of the activities should be timed to include moments of quiet

reflection. Breaks should be scheduled as deemed appropriate. There are more activities here

than needed for a full day retreat, so you can tailor the day to meet the needs of your group.

Time required: 4-5 hours or tailored for in-class/group use.

Opening Prayer

God of all grace, goodness and peace,

You invite us to live as joyful disciples.

Rooted in prayer and living in community,

we are enabled to do justice and inspire hope.

Open in our hearts, a desire to glow in holiness

as we journey together in faith with you by our side.

We pray that our enthusiastic sharing of the Good News

will transform our schools and our world.

May everything we do, be for your greater glory, O God!

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen. +

Community Building Activities

Choose an ice-breaker or community building activity that is suitable for your group. These

websites have activities that can be used by teens:

http://topten.org/content/tt.AU20.html

http://wilderdom.com/games/Icebreakers.html

http://humanresources.about.com/od/icebreakers/Ice Breakers Energizers and Activities.html

http://www.jubed.com/youth ministry/

http://www.teampedia.net/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

http://www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com

SUB-THEME 1 – ROOTED IN PRAYER

ACTIVITY 1 – GENUINE HOSPITALITY IS PRAYERFUL ACTION

Purpose: To make everyone feel welcome as they arrive at the retreat.

Materials Needed: nametags with each participants’ name joyful music

sound system tables and chairs

greeters welcome signs with participants’ names

guides

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Outline of Activity: As participants arrive for retreat, have greeters at the doors, welcoming

everyone with sincere words.

Have guides show retreatants where to put their coats, bags, belongings and where to get their

nametags.

Have joyful music playing as a sign of welcome to the day.

Have a seat ready for each person in groups if that will be helpful to begin.

If groups will be used for the activities, place a welcome sign on each table, listing the

participants in the group (example. We have been expecting you and have prepared a place for

you!).

ACTIVITY 2 – ROOTED IN SILENT PRAYER

Purpose: To experience Christian Meditation.

Materials Needed: chairs of varying sizes

timer

prayer chimes (if available)

Outline of Activity: Have chairs spaced apart so students can have their own comfort zones

around them. If possible, have smaller chairs for students with shorter legs, so they are able to

have their feet flat on the floor. No instrumental music is played during this type of meditation.

Silence is needed. Use the following instructions:

Leader:

“We are going to experience a type of prayer called ‘Christian Meditation.’ It is a very simple

form of prayer. It requires the following:

Place your feet flat on the floor. If you are not able to put your feet flat, sit at the front of the seat,

so your feet can touch flat.

Put your hands on your lap.

We are going to close our eyes gently when we begin. I will not be closing my eyes, so I can be

aware if something needs attention.

We are going to breathe deeply, in and out, and as we do so, we will say silently within

ourselves, a word that is Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke. The word is ma ra na tha.

Say it with me aloud, ma-ra-na-tha. For separate syllables. Ma ra na tha.

Repeat the word to yourself as you breathe in and out.

It means, ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’”

(If you have non-Christian participants, invite them to say, “breathing in, breathing out”)

“I will time our prayer for five minutes” (twenty minutes for experienced meditators).

“When our prayer has completed, I will ask you to open your eyes.

Try to keep your body as still as you are able.

Let us begin.

Repeat after me…

Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God.

25

Be still and know that I am. Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know. Be still and know.

Be still. Be still.

Be. Be.

Ma ra na tha – Come, Lord Jesus.”

Ring chime three times to begin.

Using the timer, allow students to pray for the allotted time.

When the time is complete, say, “Thank you, you may open your eyes” or ring the chime three

times.

If students are not able to sit for five minutes, give them a chance to settle, but end the

meditation if there is too much noise. If they are only able to sit for a minute, that is fine. Do not

scold the students. Prayer is intended to be a time of grace and not a time of grief.

Do not analyze the prayer time. Simply let it be their quiet time with God.

ACTIVITY 3 – A WALKING MEDITATION

Purpose: To meditate while walking silently looking for signs of God’s presence.

Materials needed: a space to walk outdoors

a labyrinth, if one is available

Outline of activity: If you think it would be helpful to have an initial discussion, ask participants

before they begin their walk to identify some signs of God’s presence they may experience

outdoors (example. the sun’s warmth, trees, flowers, etc.). Invite the students to walk

silently/quietly in the outdoor space to experience God’s presence. The quieter they are, the more

they will be able to experience. If something catches their attention, chances are it is important

for them to notice. Almost everything in the created world can bring us to an appreciation of

God’s presence. Once the students have walked, invite them to share with each other if they had

an “ah-ha moment” during their walk. Explain that people have gone on pilgrimages throughout

history to have this very kind of experience. People today walk across the top of Spain for a

pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Some walk for days and some

walk for months. Some walk alone, some walk in groups. There are other faith traditions that

have pilgrimages too. The Hajj is a Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Thousands travel each year to

Mecca be there from the 8th

to the 12th

of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.

If a labyrinth is available, invite students to walk silently and to be aware of how the Spirit

moves in them as they make their way through to the centre. Once at the centre, invite the

students to say a special prayer to God. Their prayer may simply be “Thank you.” Depending on

how many students you have, you may have some walking along a path and some walking in the

labyrinth. It can’t be too crowded in the labyrinth otherwise it becomes chaotic and less

prayerful.

26

ACTIVITY 4 – 1-800-HI!-GOD!

Purpose: To have an honest conversation with God.

Materials needed: script below

candle burning to create atmosphere

journal paper and pencils for students who may find it easier to journal their conversation

Outline of Activity: Use the script to introduce activity. Invite participants to journal, or simply,

to pray. Participants may want to sit on the floor or lie down to be more relaxed.

Script: God has a 1-800 number and also answers 911 calls. When you call God, you never get a

busy signal, you are never put on hold, and you never hear an answering machine say, “This is

God. I’m not in my office now…” We are inviting you to have an honest conversation with God.

Imagine that you are calling Heaven and God is going to answer. What would you talk to God

about at this point in your life? What do you think God would say to you? You can journal this

conversation on paper or just imagine it in your mind. We will do a breathing exercise to get us

started.

Gently close your eyes…

Be comfortable… relaxed…

Take a deep, silent breath and settle yourself.

Breathe in… and breathe out.

Fill your lungs with air, hold it… then let it leave your body.

Breathe in all that is good… and breathe out all that is less than good.

As you breathe deeply, let your body relax and be calm.

Begin your conversation with God. Imagine you are calling God on your phone. What do you

think God would say to you? What do you want to talk to God about today?

Adapted from Leading Students into Prayer – Ideas and Suggestions from A to Z

by Mary Kathleen Glavich, Twenty-Third Publications (1996) p. 23

27

SUB-THEME 2 – LIVING IN COMMUNITY

ACTIVITY 5 – LIVING IN COMMUNITY WITH OUR FAMILIES

Purpose: To know how much our families love us (and how much God loves us too).

Materials needed:

Handout #1 – Letter to Parents (to be sent home prior to retreat)

a letter from each participant’s parent in a sealed envelope (received prior to retreat)

a quiet place for participants to read letters with lots of room for each participant

facial tissue

Outline of activity: Prior to the retreat, families will be asked to write a letter to their child to

express how much they love them (see suggested wording in Handout #1). These letters need to

be received prior to the retreat. High school years can be a struggle for teens and parents, as teens

struggle to have autonomy and parents become fearful that their teen will be hurt or take risks.

When parents put their love into words in a letter, teens can value it because it is on paper. If you

don’t think you will get a letter from every parent, a letter from an older brother or sister, a

grandparent, aunt or uncle can be as valuable.

Explain that you have a letter from family members of each participant. Ask them to wait until

everyone has received their letter to open it. Ask them to read the letter to themselves. Once

everyone has read their letter, ask them if they can imagine that Jesus wanted their parents to

send this message to them today. Have tissue available throughout the space in case students

become emotional.

Adapted from Leading Students Into Prayer – Ideas and Suggestions from A to Z

by Mary Kathleen Glavich, Twenty-Third Publications (1996) p. 124

28

Dear Family Members.

I am writing to ask for your help for a very special part of the retreat your

son/daughter will be attending (date of your retreat). I would like you to write a

“love letter” to your child, telling him/her about the deep love you feel.

In our busy and hectic lives, we often forget to say the most important things to the

people who mean the most to us. Please take this opportunity to tell your

son/daughter all the special things you love about him/her, to share your favourite

memories of your teen’s childhood, to express your loving hope for his/her future,

etc.

You may write just one letter signed by either or both parents, or each parent may

write a separate letter; that is up to you. However, it is very important that every

teen on the retreat have a letter. If I do not receive a letter for everyone, I will have

to replace this retreat activity with something else. Send your letter in an envelope

with your child’s name on it and mail it to me in an outer envelope or drop it off at

the school to my attention.

Please get your letter to me by (date at least two weeks before the retreat) so that I

can be certain I will be able to do this activity. The love letters are to be a surprise

so please do not mention the letter to your son/daughter ahead of time.

Thank you.

29

Handout #1 (Activity 5) ACTIVITY 6 – LIVING IN COMMUNITY WITH OUR MOTHER EARTH

Purpose: To pray using the Three Step Prayer that originates in the North American Indigenous

tradition.

Materials needed:

prayer

Preparation: Determine which direction is east prior to praying. This activity is best done

outside in the morning, if possible.

Outline of activity: Have the group face the direction east, with enough space in front of each

person that they are able to take three steps forward.

Background Information for Leader: This morning offering comes from a North American

First Nation tradition. It includes three steps and there is a strong emphasis on the earth. That’s

why it’s best to say the prayer outside, although with a little imagination it can be done

anywhere. Usually, you face the east, toward the rising sun, preferably in a spot with a vista. The

size and type of steps is entirely up to you. The steps may be taken with or without words, as is

customary with many First Nation rituals. But, for beginners, words might be helpful.

Prayer:

Stepping Out, Stepping In by Jose Hobday

Let us begin by standing still and centering ourselves. Breathing in… and breathing out. This is a

three step prayer.

Please take a step forward. The first step is into the day ahead. The idea is that you step out and

greet and accept the day, and everything that will be given to you throughout the day.

Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

So we pray:

“O Great Spirit, you have given me this day as a special gift. In taking this step into the day, I

accept everything it will bring, whether it is part of my plan or not. Teach me to accept every gift

that comes my way today. Help me to use each gift wisely, to love my sisters and brothers, and

to care for my Mother the Earth.”

Breathing in… and breathing out.

Please take a step forward. The second step is into yourself.

And we pray:

30

“O Great Spirit, you have created me as I am. In taking this step, I accept myself as I am now, as

I have been in the past, and as I will be in the future. I ask that today I will be true to the way you

made me. Help me to walk respectfully on my Mother, the Earth, so none of its plants will be

crushed. Help me to walk into people’s lives in the same way today so none of them will be

bruised.”

Breathing in… and breathing out.

Please take a third step forward. Step three is into mystery.

Let us pray:

“O Great Spirit, you have created me and everything around me with a sense of mystery. I now

step into that mystery and put my arms around it. Help me to accept the things of this day I do

not, and cannot, understand, and that my encounter with them will bring me nearer to you and

closer to living a Holy life.”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Amen. +

ACTIVITY 7 – SOCIAL MEDIA

Purpose: To have a conversation about the dos and don’ts of online communication.

Materials needed: large photocopy of cellphone and tablet for wall near activity

popular songs played to redirect conversation and/or attention

Outline of activity: For intermediate students, have senior students facilitate the conversation.

For senior students, have a chaplain or teacher facilitate the conversation.

Script (to begin the conversation):

Most young people live in online communities. We are plugged in every day for most of the day.

It seems that anxiety is on the rise for young people too. Are these two realities intersecting with

each other? Let us have a conversation about the dos and don’ts of living in the social media

communities of today. I will ask you a question to consider with a group of 2 or 3 others. Then

we will bring the wisdom of the group together. I will get your attention by playing a song and I

will then ask the last speaker to finish their thought. Then we will move to another question.

1. How is the way you chat online, the same as, or different from, the way you have face-to-

face conversations with your friends?

2. What do you think about before you decide whether or not to post a message?

3. How do you anticipate people’s responses to your posts without the visual cues you

would get from a face-to-face conversation?

4. How and why do you use “emojis” in your online communication?

5. Do you think online communication contributes to teen anxiety? Why or why not?

31

6. What dos and don’ts have you learned through your experience of communicating in the

online communities?

To conclude this activity, make a list of the dos and don’ts of online communication. Consider

posting them around the school upon the completion of the retreat with the intention of helping

to reduce student anxiety related to social media communication.

32

SUB-THEME 3 – DOING JUSTICE & CREATING HOPE

ACTIVITY 8 – POST-SYNOD LETTERS

Purpose: To write letters to the Bishop of the Diocese as a post-synod response.

Materials needed: Handout #2 – The Synod on Young People

writing paper and pens

Outline of activity: Provide each student with Handout #2 – The Synod on Young People.

Allow students time to share ideas in small groups prior to writing. For those students not

Catholic, invite students to write similar letters to their pastoral leaders. Remind these students to

provide the context of this retreat activity.

The Synod on Young People

A large gathering of young people took place last year with the bishops of the world and Pope

Francis. The intent of the gathering was to ask and answer two questions:

1. What does the Church have to offer the young people of the world?

2. What do young people have to offer the Church?

This Synod on Young People was a declaration by the Church that young people have a lot to

offer and that if they are not present – and if we don’t accompany them, listen to them, and teach

them well – then a part of the access to God is missing. The final document of the Synod

reflected this message:

With young people, we can more prophetically read our age and recognize the

signs of the times. This is why young people are one of the “theological places” in

which the Lord makes us know some of his expectations and challenges to build

tomorrow. (Final Document, 64)

The Synod has passed, but young people continue to be important to the Church. Take time to

think about your life.

How can the Church support you as you grow, learn and make choices?

What can the Church do to help you?

What do you have to offer the Church?

How could you see yourself offering your skills and talents to the Church?

Write a letter to our Bishop to share with him your thoughts on these questions. Begin by

explaining that you heard about the Synod on Young People and you want to share your insights

with him. This is an action of justice. This action may create hope in the Bishop so he knows the

Church is important in the lives of the young people in Catholic Schools.

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Use the space below to jot your ideas before writing your letter.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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Handout #2 (Activity 8) ACTIVITY 9 – PRACTICING WHAT JESUS PREACHED

Purpose: To consider some everyday situations in which we need to handle our self-preservation

instinct in a just way.

Materials needed: Handout #3 – Practicing What Jesus Preached (distribute half-sheets)

large copy of handout

Bibles

pencils

marker

Outline of activity: Have participants work in groups of two or three. Assign each group

member one of the readings from the Gospels. Have each member work individually to read their

assigned scripture passage and then fill in the chart. When everyone is finished, read the phrases

one at a time. Ask for a show of hands to indicate how many chose that response. Repeat the

process until you have gathered all their responses. Have a discussion if there is a difference

between the responses from the participants. Jesus teaches us to bear injustices without trying to

get even. Practicing what Jesus preached is not easy!

Adapted from Following Jesus Today: Activities for Senior High

Pflaum Publishing, Ohio, p.11-11.1

Practicing What Jesus Preached

Jesus teaches us to bear injustices without trying to get even. Read what Jesus tells us about

retaliation and forgiveness.

Matthew 5:38-38

Matthew 18:21-22

Luke 23: 33-34

Injustices Always

Wrong

Sometimes

Wrong

Never

Wrong

Fighting with hurtful words

Fighting physically

Gossiping; put downs

Suing someone who wrongs us

Fighting in self-defense

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Practicing What Jesus Preached

Jesus teaches us to bear injustices without trying to get even. Read what Jesus tells us about

retaliation and forgiveness.

Matthew 5:38-38

Matthew 18:21-22

Luke 23: 33-34

Injustices Always

Wrong

Sometimes

Wrong

Never

Wrong

Fighting with hurtful words

Fighting physically

Gossiping; put downs

Suing someone who wrongs us

Fighting in self-defense

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Handout #3 (Activity 9) ACTIVITY 10 – STAND UP FOR JUSTICE

Purpose: To give youth an opportunity to stand up for justice to give hope to others.

Outline of activity: While the participants are seated, say:

I am going to ask some questions; you answer by standing at the appropriate time. Please listen

carefully and answer as honestly as you are able.

Stand if you’re a student at __________ (name of school).

Remain standing if you think you might still be at this school two years from now.

Stand if you think teachers give too much homework.

Remain standing if you do it all anyway.

Stand if you’ve ever been on a blind date.

Remain standing if it developed into a real relationship.

Stand if you’ve had or have a paying job.

Remain standing if you put money in the bank each pay day.

Stand if you’ve been grounded in the last month.

Remain standing if you deserved it.

Stand if you’ve lied to get yourself out of trouble.

Remain standing if you owned up to the truth afterward.

Stand if you have a little brother or sister who act like a brat sometimes.

Remain standing if you love this little stinker anyway.

Stand if the friendship groups at our school are “cliquey.”

Remain standing if your group is a clique.

Stand if you have ever felt left out and alone.

Remain standing if you go out of your way to welcome outsiders into your group.

De-brief Questions: 1. Why do you think we did this activity?

2. Have you ever heard, “Everybody does that!”? Did everyone here remain standing the

entire time of this activity?

3. If your parents/guardians were sitting in a circle around the group, would they have

agreed with your responses?

4. Does knowing that you are not the only one doing something inspire hope in you?

Explain.

Adapted from The Faith Difference: Prayers, Lessons, Activities and Games for Teens

by Kieran Sawyer, S.S.N.D. Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, page 47

37

SUB-THEME 4 – JOURNEYING TOGETHER IN FAITH

ACTIVITY 11 – JOURNEYING TOGETHER IN FAITH

Purpose: To listen to the experience of some First Nation peoples’ struggles and the Indian

Residential School experience, to work on truth and reconciliation.

Materials needed: There are many resources available for this activity. For example…

The Secret Path – http://www.cbc.ca/beta/arts/secretpath/gord-downie-s-secret-path-airs-

on-cbc-october-23-1.3802197 (this production is approximately 2 hours in length, so you

may wish to show only a section)

I Am Not A Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer

Secret Path by Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire

Dear Canada, These are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens by

Ruby Slipperjack

Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Residential Schools by Melanie Florence

Speech given by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin about cultural genocide toward

Canadian First Nation peoples – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1L2jOtJzZg

Several other videos that can be viewed about Residential Schools –

http://www.lorimer.ca/rightingcanadaswrongs/videos-rcw.html

Outline of activity: This activity can be done as small groups or one large group. Students ought

to know about Indian Residential Schools and be part of the movement of the Truth and

Reconciliation with our First Nation, Métis and Inuit brothers and sisters. Depending on the

grade and maturity level of the students on retreat, you are invited to select appropriate resources

for use by the group. If you have First Nation, Métis and Inuit students in the group, you may

want to give them some forewarning that this is going to happen. They may want to be excused.

Watch/listen/read about this dark time in Canada’s history and have a discussion to help the

students to process the information.

De-brief Questions:

1. Did you know about Indian Residential Schools before today?

2. How would you have felt if you were taken away from your family to go to school in a

strange place?

3. What can we do to be reconciled to First Nation, Métis and Inuit

communities/peoples/students as members of Canada today? (be kind, be understanding

of the traumatic experiences of First Nation, Métis and Inuit people, ensure that each

treatment does not happen to anyone else, learn more about the time in Canada –

example. what life was like before contact with Europeans, what is meant by the “Sixties

Scoop”)

ACTIVITY 12 – JOURNEYING TOGETHER IN FAITH

Purpose: To go for a walk outdoors and appreciate the gift of nature.

38

Materials needed: hat

walking shoes

sunblock may be helpful

Outline of activity: On a beautiful day it is great to go for a walk to breathe in fresh air and

listen to the sounds of nature. Invite the participants to walk around the retreat centre and to

appreciate the signs of spring around them. Give the participants a specified amount of time to

walk so everyone returns in time for the next activity. If you want to make the experience

challenging, invite the students to identify five types of trees, or five types of wild/flowers, bird

songs, etc.

ACTIVITY 13 – JOURNEYING TOGETHER IN FAITH

Purpose: To eat a treat like an apple.

Materials needed: a food everyone can eat as a treat

Outline of activity: It is good to have a piece of fresh fruit. Juicy and tasty fruit helps us to

celebrate life and all that God provides for us in creation. Seeds in the centre remind us of God’s

plan to provide new life within the design of creation.

39

SUB-THEME 5 – SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

ACTIVITY 14 – COZY CORNER CONVERSATIONS

Purpose: To allow youth an opportunity to share their ideas or questions honestly with one

another.

Materials needed: Handout #4 – Cozy Corner Directions

Handout #5 – Cozy Corner Questions

Outline of activity: Assign each small group/pair to a “cozy corner” – a space where a quiet

conversation can take place. Give each group leader, Cozy Corner Questions and a copy of the

Cozy Corner Directions. Assign a closing time.

NOTE: Group size needs to be such that everyone will get a turn to ask a question. You might

wish to indicate to participants that they may pass on a question if they are not comfortable

answering.

Adapted from The Faith Difference: Prayers, Lessons, Activities and Games for Teens

by Kieran Sawyer, S.S.N.D. Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, page 70-77

Cozy Corner Directions

1. Put the cards face down in the centre of the group.

2. Person A picks two cards, reads them silently, chooses one and describes to

whom to direct the question. Person A then reads the question directly to

Person B (for example. “John, what do you believe happens to the human

person after death?”).

3. Person B answers the question. Person A then responds by agreeing or

disagreeing, by giving his/her own answer.

4. Person A then asks if anyone else in the group wants to comment. Person A

might also ask to hear everyone’s answer to the question.

5. Person B selects two questions and proceeds as above.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40

1. Put the cards face down in the centre of the group.

2. Person A picks two cards, reads them silently, chooses one and describes to

whom to direct the question. Person A then reads the question directly to

Person B (for example. “John, what do you believe happens to the human

person after death?”).

3. Person B answers the question. Person A then responds by agreeing or

disagreeing, by giving his/her own answer.

4. Person A then asks if anyone else in the group wants to comment. Person A

might also ask to hear everyone’s answer to the question.

5. Person B selects two questions and proceeds as above.

41

Handout #4 (Activity 14)

Cozy Corner Questions

What is your attitude toward

violence?

If you should parent a child before

marriage, how much would you

be willing to give up for the child?

Do you think people are really

good at heart? Are you?

Tell about a person (not a relative)

that you can truly say is your

brother or sister.

How would you deal with a good

friend you knew was getting

deeply involved in drugs?

What do you believe happens to

the human person after death?

Tell about an event that happened

in your family or in your own

experience that you would call a

miracle.

How would you deal with a friend

who is getting seriously drunk

several times a week?

How do you react when you see a

child being bullied?

What are some of the things you

can and should do to make your

home a happier place?

What would you do if you found a

wallet containing $500?

What do you remember as the

greatest day of your life?

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Handout #5 (Activity 14)

Cozy Corner Questions (continued)

Name one adult at school or at

work whom you admire. Explain

why.

On what basis do you select your

same-sex friends? (common goals,

etc.)

On what basis do you select your

opposite-sex friends?

Describe a true friend. How many

friends do you have that fit that

description?

What person has most influenced

your life? Try to tell how the

person has affected you.

What are your personal

convictions about using marijuana

and other drugs?

Name a person your age that you

admire. Tell why.

What change would you make in

the school if you were the

principal?

What is your greatest fear?

What do you consider really

beautiful? Really ugly?

When are you most aware of and

grateful for the gift of life?

Select a word that you feel

describes most people your age.

Explain.

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Handout #5 (Activity 14) ACTIVITY 15 – SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

Purpose: To affirm positive qualities of individuals.

Materials needed: half sheet of paper (one for each participant)

different coloured pens/markers

Outline of activity: Create a fan out of the paper, folding along the length or the width,

depending upon the size of the group. Have the group sit in a circle. Ask each participant to put

their name on the first (outer) surface of the fan so participants can see easily to whom the fan

belongs. Then open the fan to the first fold and pass the fan to the person sitting to the left. That

person writes a brief, positive characteristic or quality of the fan owner. Then open the next fold

and pass the fan to the next person sitting to the left. Participants simultaneously pass fans along

keeping only the front of the fan and the empty fold open as passing. No one ought to read what

another person has written. When the fans eventually come back to the owner, give students time

to read their good news/affirmations.

ACTIVITY 16 – SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

Purpose: To share the good news and to affirm the young people.

Materials needed: Bible with 1 Timothy 4:12-13 marked

Outline of activity: Have students sit to hear God’s good news. Select a student to proclaim

God’s word with joy. Prompt the reader to precede the reading with, “A reading from the First

Letter of Timothy” and to conclude the reading with, “The Word of the Lord.” Students will

respond, “Thanks be to God.” Have the reader invite the students to exchange the sign of peace.

Closing Blessing for the Retreat Day

May God wrap his warmth around you like a shawl to hug you tight;

God’s light glows bright within you to guide your steps at night;

God’s strength flows all through you, holds you up against hurt and fear;

And whispers in your heart, “Dear friend, my love is always near.”

Amen. +

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Movie List Related to the Five Sub-Themes

of Catholic Education Week 2019

Movie list is not included in this RCCDSB-adapted resource. To

access the list, please go to http://www.goodnewsforall.ca/

See “secondary package link” https://www.ocsta.on.ca/ocsta/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/1-

SecondaryKit.docx

If using movies from the list, please preview to ensure suitability

for your class/grade level.

45

Scripture Readings & Quotes Related to the

Five Sub-Themes of CEW 2019

The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. With Christ, joy is

constantly born anew. Evangelii Gaudium, 11

The Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church. The Apostolic Exhortation

Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis, 1

Jesus became one of us – was born like us, was a child like us, grew into an adult like us.

Because he stands with us on a stretch of level ground, he understands our pain, suffering, joy,

fears. He is with us. Karen Beattie – 2018 A Book of Grace-filled Days p. 283

I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z29h7HUcJus

The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. Psalm 19:9a

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Ne. 8:10

So that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. Jn. 15:11

Let anyone who comes to you go away feeling better and happier. Everyone should see goodness

in your face, in your eyes, in your smile. Joy shows from the eyes. It appears when we speak and

walk. It cannot be closed inside us. It reacts outside. Joy is very infectious. St. Teresa of Calcutta

Joy is a net of love by which we catch souls. St. Teresa of Calcutta

Rooted in Prayer

A child of God ought to expect answers to prayers. The function of prayer is not to influence

God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays. Soren Kierkegaard

A heart filled with joy is more easily made perfect than one that is sad. St. Philip Neri

We can think of being rooted in prayer like being marinated in God’s presence. Pat Carter

Prayer is the least and the most we can do. Billy Holland

There are people who do not find it necessary to use words or ideas for meditation. We know

that we can hear a song, sung in a language of which we know not one word, but of the rhythm,

the melody of it finds an answer in our heart, it echoes from our own soul. We can understand it

46

without being able to translate a word of it into our own speech. For some, prayer is like that.

The muted music of the human suffering Christ touches a responsive chord in their own being.

They do not require words and images, and indeed cannot use them. They cannot explain. They

have no words, even for Christ. Perhaps they do not understand the music themselves. Perhaps if

they uttered it aloud it would only confuse the world. It would not sound in their voice as it

sounds in their souls. Caryll Houselander, This War is the Passion

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is “thank you,” it will be enough. Meister

Eckhart

I strain toward God; God strains toward me. I ache for God; God aches for me. Prayer is mutual

yearning, mutual straining, mutual aching. Macrina Wiederkehr

Living in Community

The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with

someone who matters to you. Anonymous from https://www.sevenquotes.com/

In the beginning, in the infancy of your Church, living together, sharing in community, looking

out, caring for one another, no private possessions, no private burdens, no needs unmet. All lifted

up, our brother’s keeper, loving arms, caring for all, equally. Raymond A. Foss

One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good

fortune of others. Archibald Rutledge

Doing Justice & Creating Hope

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King Jr.

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous. Pr. 21:15

When we begin to believe that there is greater joy in working with and for others, rather than just

for ourselves, then our society will truly become a place of celebration. Jean Vanier

On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in the United

Nations. Today peoples of the world know that they have rights under the law that give them

hope. Let us do justice by ensuring that our actions are just and kind toward all we meet.

Journeying Together in Faith

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy. Ps. 16:11

We are companions on the journey, breaking bread and sharing life! Carey Landry

For you shall go out in joy, and be led by in peace. Is. 55:12

47

I may come to you with joy. Ro. 15:32

There is a fine line between being prophetic and being orthodox. Discernment of the spirits is an

essential posture so you are sure that you are speaking for God. Pat Carter

Sharing the Good News

Take the word of God with you as you go. Christopher Walker

Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter. St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Let us aim for joy, rather than respectability. Let us make fools of ourselves from time to time,

and thus see ourselves, for a moment, as the all-wise God sees us. St. Philip Neri

Bringing you good news of great joy. Lk. 2:10

Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours! Lk. 2:14