It is always good to make time to pray and while we cannot physically meet in churches with other people we can pray on our own or with our families. The ‘Let Us Pray’ Podcast provides great inspirations for our prayers and can be used daily. Try it on your own or with your family – the link is given below.
This week we examine what the Bible tells us about evil in our World.
Poverty and War. In what ways is war a major cause of poverty in certain parts of the World?
In the continuing story of God’s Covenant and promises to the People of Israel we are looking at the great act of saving when God used Moses to lead his people out of Egypt.
Read Pages 19-20 and complete the Assignments of Page 20.
This week’s work starts our study of the beliefs and practices of Judaism looking at Abraham, the Founder of Judaism.
‘The Prayer Process’
Prayer is what helps nourish our faith and yet it can sometimes be difficult to know how to pray, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. ‘The Prayer Process’ was developed to help people with their daily prayers (it’s from the Rediscover Jesus which you will hopefully get to read in RE). Please use this to help you draw closer to God, receive his comfort and reflect upon his will for your life.
During this busy time when we are all so busy and especially with online learning and any worries or concerns we may have about ourselves, or family, friends and out society, you will find it helpful to take a few minutes in quiet prayer.
Each day, put some time by for you to reflect and pray. You should talk to others in your family and as a family you could spend time in prayer.
The Prayer Process (002)This sheet will help you.
The Reception of the Remains of Archbishop Tartaglia who died on Wednesday 20 January will take place this evening at 6.60pm with his Requiem Mass at 12.00 Noon tomorrow Thursday 21 January 2021.
The Services can be followed using the links below and the Orders of Service for both have been uploaded here.
Link to Reception of Remains.
Link to Requiem Mass.
Order of Service : Reception of Remains.
Vigil and Reception for Archbishop Philip Tartaglia
Order of Service : Requiem Mass.
Funeral Mass for Archbishop Philip Tartaglia
As well as using online Masses we should consider the commitment of a Spiritual Communion during this time when we cannot physically attend Mass.
During this “Eucharistic Fast” one way to keep close to the Lord is to make a “Spiritual Communion.” This is an ancient spiritual tradition of the Church which consists in making a simple act of “spiritual communion,” whereby we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to receive Holy Communion.
St. Thomas Aquinas defined a Spiritual Communion as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament [in Communion at Mass] and in lovingly embracing Him as if we had actually received Him.” You can make a Spiritual Communion whenever and wherever you like, using the prayer given below, or others like it, or your own heartfelt thoughts.
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Remember, you can receive Jesus in your heart from anywhere you might happen to be, at any time, day or night! You just need to approach Him with sincerity, humility and a desire to follow in His footsteps in acts of faith and charity. And He’s delighted when we do so! The Catechism teaches that a Spiritual Communion “is an act of devotion, and one very pleasing to God.”
From Roisin Coll of the St Andrew’s Foundation for Catholic Schools.
I write to let you know that we have re-launched #StraightOuttaGalilee on twitter. Each day we will tweet an RE activity for primary and also secondary pupils. The tasks can be modified as the teacher sees fit and the ideas don’t need to be used that day but could be adapted and used at a later stage. We hope that they will be helpful in stimulating thought and keeping RE a focus in our Catholic schools during lockdown. Of course, this is in addition to the excellent RE resources SCES has communicated with you at the start of term.
We will tweet every morning and our twitter handle is: @StAndFoundatio1
For pupils finding difficulty accessing files on Teams we will upload your work on this site. Your work for this week is an examination of the main features of the Hajj – the great Islamic Pilgrimage. Upload your response on Teams by Friday 22 January 2021. .
