Archive for February, 2021

25 FEBRUARY 2021, FIRST THURSDAY IN LENT

|

In these days of pandemic in whom do the people of the world have confidence? In what do they trust? Obviously, they trust in the scientists, the medical teams, the people who care for them when they are sick, and the government and authorities.  Ultimately, people believe that when the vaccine comes, all will be well. Then people visualise ‘getting back to normal.’ Of late, this phrase changes to ‘the new normal.’ One thing is sure; there is no going back.

In her situation, Queen Esther put her total confidence in God. She ‘took refuge with the Lord.’

The first reading proclaimed at Mass today (Esther 4:17) shows Queen Esther’s practicality to do what was right. However, above all, she had complete trust and confidence in God. There is something real and heartfelt about her prayer to God. She is not putting on a show or showing pretence. There is nothing fake about her. When Esther prayed, she poured her whole heart into her prayer. She recognised her aloneness before God. She said, ‘come to my help, for I am alone.’ Esther was true to herself. She was truly dependent on God, ‘I am alone and have no helper but you.’ Queen Esther trusted God from her ‘earliest years’ and understood that her ancestors trusted God’s goodness and saving help. In her prayer, Esther knows what she needs. She asks for ‘courage’ to face the challenge that lies ahead of her.

Queen Esther’s prayer is a great model for prayer.  God understands Esther’s prayer and God understands our prayer. God accepts that at times when we come to pray we are distracted, confused, absent, tired and disinterested. At other times, we are alert, content and fully aware of God’s presence.  Whatever way we come to God ‘we come as we are’ knowing, believing and trusting that God loves us unconditionally.

The Psalm proclaimed at Mass (Psalm 137) proclaims the gratitude of the psalmist. The psalmist says, ‘I thank you Lord, with all my heart.’ Again, he has complete trust in God. He is confident of ‘his faithfulness and love’ and all that entails. This brings a sense of joy and assurance to God’s people as they take time to reflect. To say thank you is a very important part of prayer.

The Gospel (Mt 7:7-12) also assures the faithful of God’s steadfastness. Jesus taught the disciples to pray, asking, searching and knocking on the door. God knows all we need even if we do not know ourselves. When we pray we talk to God. We thank God, we ask him for what we need, we say sorry and we tell him that we love him. God listens to our prayers and knows what is best for us.  We believe that when we say, ‘I believe in God.’

There is great hope expressed in the readings today.  So in addition to the hope we put into receiving the vaccine and the further research of the scientists to eradicate the Covid-19, let us firstly place our trust in God. We also can ask Mary, Mother of God to intercede for us with God. Mary wants to do this for us but we must ask her. Mary had great confidence in God. She thanked God in her Magnificat prayer for his goodness to her.

Prayer is an integral part of the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Religious Education programme for Catholic primary schools. VERITAS publications grants free access to all their resources. There are a vast amount of resources available on the theme of prayer including all the formal prayers and the Prayers of the Mass in the Children’s Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé e-book.

Logon www.growinlove.ie

Email trial@growinlove

Password growinlove

 

 

INVITATION

PRAY

  • Our Father/ An Phaidir
  • Hail Mary/ Sé do bheatha a Mhuire
  • The Magnificat

CHAT

  • Chat to a member of you family about praying to God. Chat in your own words or say a prayer together. Is there anything for which your family would like to say thanks?

TASK

  • Have you a favourite prayer to say? Write it on a sheet of paper and decorate it. Display it in your home where members of your family can see it.

WATCH

  • You might like to give thanks to God by watching Mass on the webcam today from your parish or from any other parish throughout the world.

 

Sr Anne Neylon

23 FEBRUARY 2021, FIRST WEEK IN LENT

|

No matter how wealthy a person is, he/ she cannot have everything they want in life. Think about it. Money cannot buy everything, not even a vaccine in this time of pandemic. A person has something and he/she desires more. Sometimes people think if they plead long enough for something, they will get it.  At this time of pandemic, people plead with God in prayer for the sick, their carers on the frontline and for those who live in difficult circumstances.

Scripture assures us that prayer ‘can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine’. Praying is something we do when we wish to communicate with God. People do this in many different ways. Sometimes they pray in thanksgiving to God. Sometimes they express their sorrow and other times they beg God for a favour. Prayer is conversing with God. It is a two-way conversation, which requires speaking and listening. When God answers our prayers, do we acknowledge thanks? If God does not answer prayer do we give up on asking?  We pray in faith, hope and love to God in whom we trust.

In the first reading proclaimed at Mass today (Is 55:10-18), the prophet Isaiah describes the Word as life giving, fruitful and nourishing. The Word is more than words spoken by the prophets.

Isaiah personifies the Word of God.  In St John’s Gospel (John 1), John introduces the Word made flesh-Jesus. The Word, which comes from the Father and returns to him, is Jesus Christ. Isaiah says when Jesus comes he will do the Father’s will.  Jesus’ life on earth is also fruitful, life giving and nourishing. The disciples follow Jesus in his mission of fruitfulness and nourishment. Jesus continues to nourish the disciples today through the Word and the Eucharist.

In the Gospel (Mt 6: 7-18), Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. God tells them not to use too many words in prayer. God knows our needs before we even ask him. God gives generously and he loves unconditionally.  It is not about the quantity of words used in prayer, but the quality of relationship between God and the person. Jesus loved his Father and he instructs the disciples how to pray Our Father. The Our Father is an inclusive prayer, which includes praise, desire, intercession and contrition. It is an appropriate prayer to say most especially in the Lenten season and links with the annual Trócaire Lenten Campaign. This campaign highlights the ‘cry of the earth and the poor.’

This year’s focus is on the country of Sudan. When the faithful pray Our Father, they ask for their ‘daily bread’. We remember those people from whom war has taken everything. They suffered ‘hunger and thirst as they fled for their lives.’

The Our Father is a universal prayer. God’s people pray the Our Father at Mass; at other liturgical services; at the beginning of each decade of the Rosary; for the Pope’s intentions. Sometimes the assembly of people gathered for Mass sing the Our Father. Usually, as a mark of respect for God, we stand or kneel to pray Our Father.

VERITAS provides free resources online for prayer, which includes the Our Father/ An Phaidir. It also provides Lenten resources. The Children’s Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé e-book is also available.

Logon www.growinlove.ie

Email trial@growinlove

Password growinlove

 

INVITATION

PRAY

  • Our Father/an Phaidir
  • Pray a decade of the Rosary for people who are sick with Covid-19
  • Say another decade of the Rosary for those who care for the sick
  • Read Awut’s story on the Trócaire box

 

READ

  • From your Bible read the Our Father/ An Phaidir from Matthew 6:7-15

TASK

  • Take one phrase of the Our Father/An Phaidir. Write the words on a page to make a poster. Decorate it and display it at home
  • Invite a family member to pray the Our Father/ An Phaidir with you
  • Draw a picture of Jesus teaching the Our Father to the disciples
  • What do you think Jesus spoke to his Father about?

 

Sr Anne Neylon

22 FEBRUARY 2021, THE CHAIR OF ST PETER, APOSTLE

|

Author John Maxwell, described a leader as ‘one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.’ There are many books written on leadership. The qualities of leaders’ have a huge influence and impact on peoples’ lives.  It is good to take time to reflect on how leadership styles affect citizens’ lives on a personal, national and international level. In this time of Covid-19, we see the importance of leadership to guide and implement day-to-day living and to have a vision for the future. It is a well-known fact that ‘without a vision, the people perish.’ Every day during the pandemic people wait to hear the leaders’ decisions on lifting restrictions, opening schools, administration of vaccines etc.

Who is a good leader? Scripture shows many styles of leadership throughout the Old and New Testaments. Jesus was one who knew the way to the Father, went the way of the cross and showed the way to the disciples. Jesus was more than a leader.

The Church celebrates an important feast today, ‘The Chair of St Peter.’ This feast celebrates Peter as bishop of Rome. The Gospel (Mt 16:13-14) traces the role of Peter’s leadership back to where the encounter between Jesus and Peter took place in Caesarea Philippi

The reading proclaimed at Mass today (1 Peter 5:1-4) comes from St Peter’s first letter. Peter addressed the letter to the communities of the different Roman provinces, which were located in what we know as Turkey today. Peter encourages the people by showing them the example of Christ. Throughout the letter, Peter describes two of the hallmarks of a disciple, persecution and partaking in Christ’s suffering.

Peter states that he is a witness to Christ and his suffering. Through suffering, he hopes to share in Christ’s glory, which is the resurrection. He instructs the elders to shepherd the flock entrusted to him by God. They must lead with a willing and generous heart, not from obligation or duty. They lead by example and service. In that way, their leadership will not be oppressive, abusive or dictatorial. Jesus modelled a servant leadership.

The Gospel (Mt 16:13-14) proclaims the Church, which has faith in Jesus Christ, Son of God as its foundation. Simon, later called Peter proclaims his faith in God. Jesus praises him for acknowledging the faith revealed to him by God the Father. Jesus addressed him as Simon Bar jona (son of John) and because of his faith, Jesus called him Peter the rock. Jesus foresaw that Peter would be a foundation for his Church. The change in name indicates that Peter is receiving a mission. The Church will always have a leader. In the Old Testament, God always chose leaders for his people. Jesus chose Peter as leader. The Church recognises Peter as the first Pope.

When Jesus appointed Peter and his successors as leaders, he ensured that they had the last word about what is or what is not the faith of the Church. In spite of their flawed characters, Christ gave them power and said, ‘whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.’

In the Bible, we get to know Peter as a colourful character through his encounters and experiences with Jesus and the disciples. In prayer and reflection, we learn about discipleship.

There are many resources in the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Religious Education programme dealing with the theme of Church, Bible stories about Peter, leadership and discipleship. VERITAS provides free access to helpful online resources including the Children’s Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé e-book.

Logon: www.growinlove.ie

Email: trial@growinlove

Password: growinlove

 

INVITATION

PRAYER:

  • Pray St Patrick’s Breastplate/ Lúireach Phádraig

READ:

  • ‘Who do you say I am?’ (Mark 8:27-9) from Grow in Love/I nGrá (Fifth Class) e-book or from a Bible
  • Read Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’

TASK:

  • You may like to logon to the Grow in Love website, read the prayers, and do the online activities related to this story. Sing the song with the video lyric, ‘Who do you say that I am?’

THINK AND REFLECT:

  • Name any leaders you know in your country, on the sports field, in the government, on the world stage
  • What qualities do leaders require?
  • Who do you think is a good leader in your parish, your school, your class or in your club?

FIND OUT:

  • St Peter was the first Pope. Do you know any Bible story about Peter?
  • Pope Francis is Pope today. Find out some facts about Pope Francis. Pray for Pope Francis today.

 

Sr Anne Neylon

19 FEBRUARY 2021, FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

|

During this Lenten journey, it might be appropriate to take a close look at the Trócaire box.  Families take a Trócaire box for the six weeks of Lent. They place it in their home and save money. With the money that they save together, the families make a sacrifice. They give up buying treats and give the money to Trócaire instead, so that families in poor countries like Sudan can have their basic needs met.  Every year the Trócaire Lenten campaign helps a different area of the world that is suffering from food poverty, war, violence, deprivation of human rights or other injustices. This year 2021, the Trócaire Lenten Campaign will help the people of Sudan.

The first reading (Isaiah 58:1-9) proclaimed at Mass today focuses on the theme of fasting. Isaiah was a prophet called by God in the Old Testament to proclaim God’s word and to speak out in defence of people, marginalised and oppressed. Isaiah spoke to the people and explained to them what kind of fasting pleases God. Isaiah explains that when the people fast in a way that pleases God, that God will hear them when they cry out to him. God will say, ‘I am here.’

Fasting pleases God. Fasting is not only about giving up food or alcohol. It is about working to create a just society. To fast is very different to going on a diet. It is worthwhile to reflect on the difference between fasting and dieting.

Pope Francis wrote a list to suggest ways in which people can fast on this Lenten journey.

God desires people to work for justice. God wants the faithful who are fasting to eradicate poverty and to free people, enslaved and oppressed. God also wants the people to share their ‘bread with the hungry’, to ‘shelter the homeless poor’ and to clothe the naked.

God sent Jesus to show and to teach his followers how to care for people on the margins of society. This was Jesus’ mission and we as disciples continue that mission today.

In Psalm 50 proclaimed at Mass today, the psalmist begs God for mercy for his sins. The psalmist is not afraid to acknowledge his sins because he knows that God is a merciful God, a God full of mercy and compassion. The psalmist recognises that sin means breaking the loving relationship with God and the psalmist wants to be reconciled with God and with other people. God’s love is unconditional.

Today, God seeks reconciliation with all his creation. God invites us to turn to him with a ‘humble and contrite heart.’ That means a heart that is sorry and one that desires peace.

The Church assigns today on the calendar as ‘The Worldwide Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Abuse.’ In setting aside this day, we pray for survivors of sexual abuse and victims of sexual abuse. We pray

  • that every person will respect his/her own dignity
  • that all people may understand the dignity of every other human person, made in the image and likeness of God.
  • that people will show respect to all God’s creation so all living beings will live in harmony in the web of life.

The Lenten them is explored in each standard of the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Religious Education programme for Catholic Primary Schools. The programme incorporates the annual Trócaire Lenten Campaign and its work for justice. God continues to call disciples to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. The means to do this during Lent are fasting, praying and giving alms. Pope Francis celebrated the World Day of the Poor in 2020 and he invited everyone to, ‘Stretch forth your hand to the poor.’ The Pope encourages his people to ‘listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.’

VERITAS publications provides online resources relating to these themes from the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Religious Education programme. The Children’s Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé e-book is also available.

Logon www.growinlove.ie

Email trial@growinlove

Password growinlove

INVITATION

PRAY:

  • The Mission Prayer/ Ár bPaidir Misiúnta
  • Lamb of God/A Uain Dé

READ:

  • The story of Awut and Ajuk that is written on the Trócaire Box

FIND OUT

  • In what continent is Sudan? Find out 10 facts about Sudan
  • What organisations work for people who are homeless in Ireland?
  • Find out all you can about the work of Trócaire.
  • Look up on the internet the suggested ways Pope Francis gives for fasting this Lent

REFLECT AND THINK

  • Pope Francis says ‘Fast from hurting words and say kind words.’ What words do you like to hear when people speak kind words?

Sr Anne Neylon

18 FEBRUARY 2021, THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

|

‘Choice’ was the operative word in pre-Covid time. ‘What film or play will I choose and where will I view it? Where will we go on holidays? Will my sports training interfere with some other plan I made? Will we go away for a weekend?’ How often did we make choices saying things like, ‘I think I will visit my sister in the country next week? I am going to take a week’s holidays and go to the sun. I feel like going for a stroll on the beach but its 20 km away; so what, I have the car.  Where will we go for a meal tonight to celebrate your birthday?’

Such were the choices people made without having a second thought. The world was the oyster for many. People were free to choose what they wanted in life. People exercised choice about most things from daily choices, to sports fixtures, to sacramental celebrations to decision-making.

Alas, the restrictions clipped our wings. Restrictions limited daily choices about life. For better? For worse?  Moreover, in this current time and in the months following, consequences follow for people who make improper choices. Choice invites freedom.

The reading proclaimed at Mass today (Deut 30:15-20) offers God’s people a choice about their lives. God sets before us ‘life and prosperity, death and disaster.’ Choice has consequences. To obey the commandments, to love the Lord our God, to follow his ways will bring God’s blessings. On the other hand, not to obey, to refuse to listen, to worship other gods will have consequences. The Word encourages God’s people to choose life. Choosing life means that God’s people will live in God’s love, obey God’s voice, and cling to him.

The psalms in today’s liturgy of the Word, Psalm 1 for verses, Psalm 39 as response, proclaim that the one who trusts God will be happy. The psalmist uses the image of the one who chooses ‘the law of the Lord.’ That person is like a healthy tree that is ‘planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season.’

When Jesus speaks to his disciples in the Gospel today (Luke 9: 22-25), he understands that to live by God’s commandments is not always easy. Jesus knew that suffering, rejection and death awaited him. He also knew what lay ahead for the disciples. In following Jesus and in doing God’s will they would have to make sacrifices by taking up their cross every day to follow him. In Lent when we make a promise and commit to it, we make a sacrifice and by God’s grace, we commit to it.

Jesus’ words are challenging as he teaches about freedom and choice. The Holy Spirit prompts us to choose wisely in keeping the commandments. Jesus gave us the new commandment; ‘love one another as I have loved you.’ God’s love is unconditional.

On this Lenten journey, we follow Jesus as we pray, fast and give to those who are in need. When disciples act in this manner, they respond to God’s call to ‘come back to me with all your heart.’

Choice is a popular theme in the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Religious Education programme for Catholic primary schools especially in the Fifth/P7 and Sixth P/8 classes. The lessons on the theme of ‘Choice’ link to the formation of conscience and the sacrament of Confirmation.

VERITAS publications provide free access to the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé resources on its website. These resources include interactive activities, prayers, video lyrics and access to the Children’s Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé e-books.

Logon www.growinlove.ie

Email: trial@growinlove

Password: growinlove

INVITATION

PRAY

  • Prayer to the Holy Spirit/ Paidreacha chuig an Spiorad Naomh

READ

  • Read what Jesus taught the disciples about choosing life in the Bible (Lk/ Lúcás 9:22-25)
  • Read the Ten Commandments from your Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé e-book or from the Book of Exodus in the Bible.

FIND OUT

  • The names of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Can you remember a story about any of these apostles?
  • The Holy Spirit brings us the sevenfold gift in the sacrament of Confirmation. Can you name these gifts? You will find them in your Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé e-book.
  • Why might the Holy Spirit think we might need the gift of courage? Do you know anyone who has courage? Have you watched a film or read a book where you encountered a courageous person?

REFLECT

  • Before you go to bed tonight, think about the times today that you chose life by obeying your parents/guardian. Say ‘thank you’ to God. Ask God to help you to be a more loving person tomorrow
  • In what ways have your choices been limited because of the pandemic?
  • What do you wish for most in life right now?

 

Sr Anne Neylon

17 FEBRUARY 2021, ASH WEDNESDAY

|

A new springtime awaits Christians as they embark on a fresh journey. Travellers taking the journey will not measure the distance in steps, miles or kilometres. During lockdown, travel restrictions are limited to 5 km.  These restrictions present huge challenges for individuals and family life.  Consequently, people feel lonely, isolated, angry, sad, and disappointed. In spite of these feelings, deep in their hearts they have faith, hope and a spirit of love which will help them travel the Lenten journey, beginning today Ash Wednesday.

Normally, Ash Wednesday begins with the distribution of ashes. This year because of Covid-19 and maintaining social distance, parishes will distribute ashes in a variety of ways. In whatever way we receive ashes God calls each one to a greater love in their lives.

In the reading proclaimed at Mass today (Joel 2:12-18), God speaks to each person, through the prophet Joel. God invites him/ her to ‘come back to me [God] with all your heart.’ Why does God call them to do that?  Because God wants everyone to know and experience that, he is all ‘tenderness and compassion…slow to anger and ready to relent.’

As we receive the ashes each year, we hear the priest say, ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.’ Today, we hear these same words but due to social distancing, we imagine the priest or the extraordinary minister of the Eucharist marking our own foreheads with the cross. We pray silently as we feel the print of the cross, ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.’

We turn away from sin and grow in faithfulness to the Gospel by doing what Jesus taught us. He instructs us to pray, fast and to give alms. We cannot do this alone but Jesus will help us. In response to Jesus’ call, we commit ourselves in a new way to God.

We pray to God by giving time to say thanks, to ask for help and say sorry; we fast by giving up selfishness and being generous, by giving up unkind words and speaking kind words; we give alms by sharing our money with Trócaire, the Society of St Vincent de Paul or some other charity. All these activities take lots of effort, not just for one day but forty days. We seek our help ‘one day at a time’ as we trust God.

God blesses our journey as we follow Jesus with all our heart, our soul and mind. The Gospel (Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18) calls us to travel the journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in a calm and gentle manner as God ‘who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’

Enjoy the journey and know you are not alone. The Word of God spurs us on every day.

VERITAS publications offers free access to the Lenten resources in the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Lessons from Junior Infants to Sixth Class; available on the Grow in Love / I nGrá Dé website. This includes the Children’s Grow in Love /I nGrá Dé e book.

Logon: www.growinlove.ie

Email trial@growinlove

Password growinlove

 

INVITATION

PRAY:

  • Our Father/Ár nAthair
  • Make the threefold Sign of the Cross as you sign your forehead, your lips and your heart, expressing your faith in God

READ:

  • From the Children’s Grow in Love /I nGrá Dé textbook or e-book or from the Bible read from the Gospel of Matthew. (Mt 6:1-6, 16-18).

FAST:

  • Take one of Pope Francis’ suggestions, draw a picture and try to do what he suggests. You will find the Pope’s message for Lent on the Vatican website.

ALMSGIVING:

  • Have you collected your Trócaire box from the Church? What happens the money that we put in the Trócaire box?

Sr Anne Neylon

TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2021, SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE 1

|

On the news yesterday, listeners heard about the Irish Seal Sanctuary’s (ISS) investigation into the deaths of eight seals on beaches in Co Wexford.  Members of the ISS are not exactly sure what happened. It is likely that “harsh conditions or entanglement” could have played a part in their deaths.  Something in the environment might be responsible either. Investigation is essential because the ISS think what happened ‘might affect us all.’ Due to the ravages of pollution in the oceans and loss of biodiversity, changes are happening in our common home. Discarded plastic and other dumped materials, which Pope Francis says is the result of a ‘throwaway culture’ have devastating consequences for marine life and the ocean itself.

The first reading proclaimed at Mass today from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 6) tells what happens God’s people when they turn away from God. They get lost.  In the reading it seems like God will punish them but that is not the case. When God’s people sin they separate themselves from God’s love. God saw that ‘the wickedness of man was great on earth.’  God’s heart grieved.  God’s heart still grieves today when God sees the mutilation of the planet, the destruction of the forests, the effects of climate change on people living in poverty, the loss of biodiversity, the lack of respect for the environment and the destruction of the web of life. When God created the earth God saw, all that he made was good. God created humankind and gifted them with life and love. God continues to do that.

God also sent his Son Jesus to show God’s love on earth. In the Gospel (Mark 8:14-21) proclaimed today, Jesus knows how difficult it is to teach the disciples because of their lack of understanding and insight. He asks them a myriad of questions, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember?’ Then he reminds them of the miracle he worked with the loaves and fish. Finally, he says ‘have you no perception?’

Today Jesus asks the faithful the same questions. It is time for us to open our eyes to see what is happening in the world and recognise the Creator, the source of all life. God loves us unconditionally and continually seeks those who stray from his love.  This is a sign of hope.

Pope Francis calls every person in the whole world to an eco-conversion.

Tomorrow, the Church begins the season Lent, a particular time in the liturgical year to turn our hearts towards God. Today is Pancake Tuesday

For families who accompany their children in faith,  you may like to know that Pope Francis’ teaching on care of our common home is a dominant theme in the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Religious Education programme.

VERITAS publications gives free access during these days of pandemic and home schooling to the public who wish to use the online interactive activities, including the Children’s Grow in Love/I nGrá Textbook or e-book. Access is available.

Logon www.growinlove.ie

Email trial@growinlove

Password growinlove

INVITATION

PRAY: Care for the Earth/ Cúram don Domhan Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé

READ:

  • In your Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé textbook or e-book for your class standard read what Pope Francis says about caring for our common home
  • Help to make the pancakes at home

 FIND OUT:

  • What type of environment is most suitable for seals?
  • Find out why there is such a day as Pancake Tuesday.

REFLECT: In what ways are you caring for the environment in your family home?

DRAW: You might like to draw a poster to remind your family of caring for our common home. Display it for everyone to see.

SING:

  • An Áit Álainn seo… I nGrá Dé Rang V
  • God has Given us the Earth Grow in Love Fifth Class/ p7. Sixth Class

 

 

Sr Anne Neylon

THURSDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2021, FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE 1 – OUR LADY OF LOURDES

|

The world’s deepest desire currently is for an end to the pandemic. There is an urgency expressed to receive the vaccine; while simultaneously there is a muttering about new variants of the disease, against which the vaccine may not protect a person. This causes anxiety in the public arena. Where can people turn for help? The Government, HSE, WHO and NPHET all strive to collaborate in their work of eradicating the pandemic. Meanwhile the public try to co-operate as best they can living their lives.  The media reveals the ongoing strain placed on frontline workers.

However, the Good News always brings hope.  Where is God at this time? God is present. God desires the fullness of life for his creation. God sent Jesus so we might know God’s love, care and protection. Our faith in God is a gift received at Baptism. Parents and godparents witness this at Baptism as they hold the lighting Baptismal candle.

At the Annunciation when Gabriel invited Mary to become the Mother of God, Mary disturbed at first, said ‘yes’ in faith to what God asked of her. Mary received assurance from God that ‘with God nothing is impossible’ (Lk 1:37).

In faith, God’s people also believe that ‘with God nothing is impossible’. They believe that Jesus is with them until the end of time, because Jesus made that promise to the disciples (Mt 28:20). God asks us to trust in his goodness and his love.  The first disciple was Mary, Mother of God.

When we reflect on Mary, the Mother of God as portrayed in Scripture it is evident that she was a woman of few words. She was a joyful person who enjoyed a deep relationship with God. In her prayer of praise, the Magnificat, Mary recognised the great things that God did for her. She trusted God and she taught Jesus as a child to trust in God. She lived a quiet life with Joseph and Jesus in Nazareth. As a Jewish family, they went to the synagogue and celebrated the Feast of Passover. Mary knew how to love and serve. It is evident in the way she went to visit Elizabeth and when she accompanied Jesus throughout his life.

In his public life, Mary saw Jesus heal the sick, share the Good News and work miracles.  She was present with Jesus to the point of his death. Mary endured great suffering as Jesus made his final journey to Calvary.  She was a faithful Mother and continues to be a Mother to God’s people today.

Today, 11 February the Church celebrates the World Day of the Sick. In 1992, Pope John Paul 11 instituted this day dedicated to persons who are sick.   The day coincides with the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. On 11 February 1858, Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette Soubirous who was fourteen years old. Bernadette gave an account of Our Lady’s appearance to her at Lourdes. She saw Our Lady wearing a white dress with a blue sash. On each foot, she had a yellow rose; her Rosary was also yellow. Bernadette began to say her Rosary and Our Lady stayed as long as Bernadette prayed. In the weeks that followed, Our Lady spoke to Bernadette three times and she asked her to ask the priests to have a chapel built, to wash in the spring of water and to pray for the conversion of sinners.

Bernadette was curious as to who this woman was who visited her. Each time Bernadette asked her, she smiled. Mary said ‘I am the Immaculate Conception’.

God’s people reflect on Mary in Scripture. Mary ‘was betrothed to Joseph’, mother, disciple, friend and one who listened to God’s word. As she accompanied Jesus on life’s journey, she pondered all she saw and heard in her heart.

The Church inculcated a devotion to Mary through the centuries. We read of apparitions of Mary for example, at Lourdes, now a place of pilgrimage. Pilgrims receive a blessing and the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

At present due to the pandemic, pilgrims attend virtual pilgrimages to the various shrines dedicated to Mary throughout the world. People in need of healing believe that Mary will lead them to her Son Jesus who will heal them.

Today wherever God’s people are, they pray for healing. They pray for strength and courage for frontline workers who care for the sick. In this extraordinary time of pandemic, they pray for scientists in their work of medical research.

The Church offers God’s people the gift of the Eucharist, the gift of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the gift of prayer for example novenas, prayers, the Rosary and more.

Let us pray especially today, The World Day of the Sick to Our Lady of Lourdes for healing for all who are sick in our world.

VERITAS publication provides a wide range of free online resources on the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Religious Education programme to explore this theme today. Mary, the Mother of God is central to the programme. There are hymns, prayers, video links, and virtual tours of pilgrim sites, interactive activities and the Children’s Grow in Love-e book to support home schooling. Access the Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé website:

Logon: www.growinlove.ie

Email: trial@growinlove

Password: growinlove

 

INVITATION

THINK AND REFLECT:

  • How has Covid affected you and your family?

ACTIVITY:

  • Browse through your Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé textbook or e- book and find out all you can about Mary, Mother of God

PRAY:

  • Invite your family to pray a decade of the Rosary today
  • Our Father/Ár nAthair, ‘Sé do bheatha a Mhuire/Hail Mary, Glory be/ Glóir don Athair
  • Say: Our Lady of Lourdes’. Pray for us.

READ:

  • Draw a picture of Our Lady of Lourdes. You can find an image on the website. You may have a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in your house or maybe your grandparents might have one. Do you know anyone who has been on pilgrimage to Lourdes?

SING:

  • The Bells of the Angelus (Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé Rang III/P5)

Sr Anne Neylon

WEDNESDAY, 10 FEBRURY, 2021, FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE 1 – ST. SCHOLASTICA

|

There is a fascination about twins. They can be a source of curiosity. Twins have much in common. Questions arise about twins. Do they share the same birthday?  Do they have similar fingerprints? Do they speak their own language? Do they think in the same way? Do they enjoy similar experiences of life? What are their stories of coincidence? Do they sense each other’s feelings when separated? Today the Church celebrates St Scholastica who was a twin.

Scholastica is not a very common name. It is of Latin origin and the name means ‘scholar’. Scholastica was the twin sister of St Benedict.  They both loved God, liked to talk about God and prayed together.

Scholastica and Benedict lived c. 480 in Nursia, Umbria and came from a wealthy family. They grew up together until Benedict went to study in Rome and decided to spend his life in search of God. He established a very important monastery at Monte Cassino.  A monastery is a place where monks live. Later Scholastica helped her brother Benedict found a community of religious women about five miles south of his monastery. St Brigid also founded a group of religious women in Co. Kildare, Ireland, the Brigidines, called after St Brigid.

Scholastica and Benedict visited each other only once a year. One day Benedict visited Scholastica in the monastery. They prayed and spoke of God, shared a meal and chatted about life in the monastery. When it was time for him to return to his own monastery, Scholastica begged him to stay with her for a while longer. Benedict refused because the rule in the monastery said he was to come back before a certain time. Scholastica was heartbroken. She put her head on the table, cried, and prayed. As she was praying, a big storm arose. It was so wild that Benedict couldn’t go out. Scholastica told Benedict when he said ‘no’ to staying with her, she asked God for something to happen to make him stay. Hence, they continued their chat and prayer until the morning. God heard Scholastica’s prayer and thought it right that Benedict should stay with his sister! St Gregory the Great said of her, ‘She who loved more could do more.’

Three days later, Scholastica died in the year 547. Brother and sister, Benedict and Scholastica enjoyed their final conversation. Benedict thanked God for her and buried Scholastica in the tomb he had built for himself. They now share ‘a common resting place just as in life their souls had always been one in God.’

The reading proclaimed at Mass today is from the book of Genesis (Gen 2:4-9. 15-17). This reading gives an account of how the Lord God created the first man, from ‘dust of the soil and he breathed into his nostrils a breath of life, and man became a living being.’ The reading then describes the beautiful garden that God made in Eden.  God planted many trees there. He told the man to take care of the garden and to cultivate it. God also told the man that he could eat fruit from all the trees in the garden except ‘from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.’  God’s people wait until tomorrow to find out what happened next.

In the Gospel proclaimed today (Mark 7:14-23) Jesus called the people together and twice he told them to listen and understand.  He wanted them to understand that the hearts of humankind are not always loving and kind. He named out different ways that persons break the relationship with God and others by sinning.

The Good News is that Jesus will help us to love others if we pray and follow his way of love. When we are truly sorry, God forgives our sins. Jesus desires our peace. At Mass, we offer one another a sign of peace and we pray for peace in our hearts and in our world.

VERITAS publications offer free access to all the online Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé Religious Education programme resources during this time of pandemic. This includes the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Children’s e-book. There is much to read from Junior Infants/ P1 to Sixth Class/P8 on the lives of the saints. Saint Scholastica is not included.

Logon: www.growinlove.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

INVITATION

PRAY

  • Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us. Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world have mercy on us. Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.
  • A Uain Dé, a thógann peacaí an domhain, déan trócaire orainn. A Uain Dé, a thógann peacaí an domhain, déan trócaire orainn. A Uain Dé, a thógann peacaí an domhain, tabhair dúinn síocháin.
  • Act of Faith/Gníomh Creidimh Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Sixth Class/Rang a Sé

FIND OUT:

  • The name Scholastica consists of 11 letters and 4 syllables. Name the letters. Write the syllables. How many letters in your name and how many syllables?
  • Find out the meaning of your name
  • Find out where there are Benedictine monasteries in Ireland. Pope Benedict XV1 took St Benedict as his patron. Do you know that St Benedict is still alive?
  • Find out some facts about Pope Benedict XV1
  • Find out where Monte Cassino is located

READ:  Psalm 103 from your Bible

ACTIVITY:

  • Find ways to do acts of love and kindness in your home today
  • Look out from your front/back door or from a window. Can you see any trees? What do you notice about any one of them? Are they all the same?

THINK AND REFLECT

  • Tell someone today one thing you know about God. What would you like God to know about you?
  • Do you believe that God answers peoples’ prayers?
  • Do you think Scholastica and Benedict loved one another?

Sr Anne Neylon

TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021, FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE 1

|

LEGO is ‘a line of plastic constructive toys’. Adults and children work with the coloured Lego pieces sorting, assembling and connecting them to construct objects or buildings. The newspaper and the RTE news over the past days introduced Gianni Clifford, a well-known Lego fan to the public. He constructs buildings using Lego and his best interest is in constructing bars because he likes them and he says, ‘They are places I go, places I’m eager to get back to.’ His constructions are big on detail. Gianni advocates the use of Lego because it transcends age barriers. He appreciates ‘the benefits of play with a different lens, not just for the joy it brings but also for the mental health benefits.’ His work is amazing and brings joy to the lives of many.

When God created the world, God’s desire for his beloved was to bring joy, love and life.

The first reading proclaimed at Mass today from the Book of Genesis (Gen 1:20:2-4) continues the story of Creation from day five to seven. Everything God made, God saw that it was good. It took God seven days to create his masterpiece in a unique and loving way.  God created the world with love and for love. Healthy growth takes time and a popular phrase states that ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ Anything worthwhile takes time and patience. God teaches us that and more in the story of Creation.

The Psalm proclaimed (Ps 8: 4-9) offers the response ‘How great is your name O Lord our God through all the earth.’ The psalmist teaches the one who responds to the psalm to give praise and thanks to God. The psalmist also is in wonder that God loved man so much that God created the beauty for him. When God created man in his image, ‘male and female God created them.’  He blessed them and gave them a mission of stewardship.

When God gave the gift of stewardship, he did not mean humankind to dominate, endanger and exploit the earth or its resources. God lovingly gave them something precious that he created for them.  God supposed a plan of nurturance, tenderness, love, care and protection because they are God’s attributes.

When God completed God’s creation ‘with all their array’ at a particular time, God rested. The Word proclaims, ‘On the seventh day, God completed the work he had been doing.’  God blessed this seventh day and God made it holy, because he rested after his work. This day, the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day is a holy day. This day differs from all other days in the week. It is a time to encounter God within oneself and others.

Today, let us reflect on the greatness of God’s name throughout the whole world. Pope Francis always guides us through the Holy Spirit to seek God’s presence in the web of life.

VERITAS publications offers inspiring resources on the theme of God’s Creation. This theme continues through Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé through each class standard from Junior Infants/P1 right through to Sixth Class/P8. There is something worthwhile there for all on the online resources including the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé textbook or e-book .To access these free resources including stimulating interactive activities and videos:

Logon: www.growinlove.ie

Email: trial@growinlove

Password: growinlove

INVITATION

PRAY:  

  • Glory be to the Father/Glóir don Athair
  • Act of Love/Gníomh Grá (Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Sixth Class/Rang a Sé)

SING:

  • The Bible Rap
  • Fadó, Fadó I bhfad ó shin
  • Grow in Love Song
  • Psalm 148

READ:

  • From the Bible or from the Grow in love/ I nGrá Dé e-book Genesis (Gen 1:20-2:4)

ACTIVITY:

  • Look outside or go outside your door. Breathe in the air through your nose and let it go through your mouth. Think of the action of smelling a flower or blowing up a balloon. Thanks God for the gift of breath, the gift of life. Can you see from where you are anything of the world of nature? What is it?
  • Can you make something today using some recycled paper, cardboard, tin box or plastic container? Maybe you could use some construction toys or Lego.

In these days of Covid restrictions, we cannot blow out birthday candles on a cake nor can we light a candle to blow out for safety reasons. However, for our prayer time we can light the virtual candle from the Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé dashboard.

  • Light the virtual candle from the Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé dashboard and write a prayer of thanks to God.
  • Read the prayers of others from the virtual candles on the dashboard by clicking on them
  • You may like to look at Gianni Clifford’s construction work using Lego.

 

 

Sr Anne Neylon