‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’(Invitatory antiphon)

When Pope Francis visited Ireland for the World Meeting of Families in 2018, he spoke to the Irish people with the message of hope of God’s constant and personal love for all God’s people. God’s desire is that the hope and presence of God’s love will sustain and nourish peoples’ trust, faith and confidence during this time of pandemic and for eternal life.

The Marian Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo is a place of pilgrimage. It is the site of an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1879. St Joseph, St John the Evangelist, a lamb representing Jesus, the Lamb of God and the Cross, the angels and the altar were also visible at the apparition. Pilgrims travel there annually. Pope Francis once said that, ‘pilgrimage is a way of believers expressing their faith in God.’ Pilgrimages are integral to many world religions – Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Jews.

In the Apparition Chapel in the Marian Shrine, Knock, Co Mayo, Pope Francis through the intercession of Our Lady prayed for the families of the world and particularly for families in Ireland. He acknowledged that Mary our Mother knew ‘the joys and struggles’ within each family. He assured those listening of Mary’s love for them. He spoke confidently that Mary would bring these ‘joys and struggles’ to her Son.

Pope Francis gifted the people of Ireland with ‘a golden rosary’, in Knock, aware of the tradition of the family rosary in Ireland. Today, during this time of pandemic, the Pope urges us to pray the rosary, knowing that in times past, many people drew ‘comfort and strength’ from ‘Our Lady’s participation in the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of Christ’s life!’

Concluding his prayer, Pope Francis invited the people to pray the Angelus prayer.

In the Easter season, the prayer, ‘O Queen of Heaven’ is recited instead of The Angelus Prayer. This is in hymn form in the Grow in Love, Fourth Class /P6 programme (Theme 7, Lesson 3).

ABOUT PILGRIMAGE AND THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME

The Grow in Love programme for Third Classes/P5 and the Fourth Classes/P6 introduces children to the concept of Christian pilgrimage. Many children may have experienced going on a pilgrimage with their families. It may have been a pilgrimage to a local well, a Christian site associated with a saint, or the Marian Shrine, Knock or even further afield e.g. Lourdes.

A pilgrimage is a journey and it is different to a holiday though sometimes a pilgrimage and a holiday are combined. People go on pilgrimage to express their faith, to say thank you to God or to pray for a special intention. The Marian Shrines introduced in Grow in Love to these classes are located in Knock, Lourdes and Guadalupe.

Christians are pilgrim people. On a pilgrimage one leaves behind the sense of what’s familiar and walks the path with God and possibly seeks a new perspective, insight or outlook on life. In ancient times, pilgrims walked for hundreds of miles carrying little with them. In modern times, pilgrims still journey to sacred places but with modern amenities the journey may not as strenuous.

In the Scripture, children explore Abram’s journey (Gen 12:1), the journey of the Israelites (Book of Exodus) and Mary’s journey to visit Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth (Lk 1: 39-56). A pilgrimage is a journey.

Children learn to identify Lourdes as a place of pilgrimage and a place of healing. They hear the story of how Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette and how Our Lady became known as Our Lady of Lourdes. The lesson is taught in the context of ‘The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.’ Children pray for people who are sick and those who care for them. They also learn the Angelus prayer which honours the story of the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38), at which time Mary identified herself as servant of the Lord. They sing ‘The Bells of the Angelus’.

Children are also taught the story of the apparition of Our Lady at Knock and they discuss its relevance for their lives. They discuss journeys and the differences between a ‘tourist and a pilgrim’. They pray to ‘Our Lady of Knock’ and sing ‘When Creation was Begun’. They view the image of the mosaic in the Basilica of Our Lady of Knock and relate it to the story of the apparition. They discuss the place of the prayer during a pilgrimage.

The children hear the story of ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ and her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531.

Children continue to pray to Mary and allow her to lead them to her Son, Jesus. They also honour her as Mother of God and our Mother. They begin to read and sing ‘The Magnificat (Lk 1: 46-55), Mary’s great song of praise to God marvelling at the great things God has done for her. ‘The Regina Coeli’ replaces the Angelus prayer during the Easter season. This song expresses the joy of Mary being the mother of Jesus. We sing and pray Alleluia. The prayer ‘The Memorare’ is also introduced gently to the children where they grow in confidence that Mary is one in whom they can confide in prayer.

The children in these middle standards also learn the ‘Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary’. They revise the story of The Annunciation and the Scripture passages included in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

A number of resources are available on the VERITAS website to help teach the content of these lessons e.g. ‘The Story of Lourdes’, ‘The Story of ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’, a vimeo on ‘Pilgrims at Guadalupe’, ‘A virtual Tour of Lourdes’ a vimeo on ‘the Rite of The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick’, an icon of St Kevin and prayers used at a Prayer Service. The Grow in Love e-books are also accessible.

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

SONGS to sing at this time, ‘Mary’, ‘Mary our Mother’, ‘Magnificat’, ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’, ‘The Bells of the Angelus’, ‘Alleluia’ ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘When Creation Was Begun’ ‘A Celtic Blessing’. All are available as lyrics and video lyrics on the website.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

O, QUEEN OF HEAVEN (pray from Easter Sunday to Pentecost instead of the Angelus)

O Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia;

For He whom you were worthy to bear, Alleluia;

has risen as He said, Alleluia.

Pray for us to God, Alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.

Because our Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.

Let us pray.

O God, who by the Resurrection of Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,

didst deign to give joy to the world:

grant we beseech You, that through His Mother, the Virgin Mary,

we may obtain the joys of everlasting life.

Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

‘The disciple is not above his master; but the fully trained disciple will be like his master, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

I am the shepherd of the flock; I have come so that they may have life, and have it in all its fulness‘, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘I will sing forever, O Lord, of your love and proclaim your faithfulness from age to age.’ (Psalm 88:2)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Our Lady of Knock, pray for us.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

From the time of Pope Francis’ appointment as Pope, he shows a remarkable devotion to Our Lady. He wrote prayers in Mary’s honour, he intercedes through Mary and he regularly visits Marian Shrines. One of the highlights of Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland in August 2018 was the visit to the Marian Shrine, Knock, Co Mayo.

Pope Francis wrote a letter to the people of the world on 25-4-2020. He encouraged them to pray the Rosary at home during the month of May. Furthermore, he gave pointers as to how people might to do this, always using an invitational tone. He suggests that this be done in a simple way and he encourages the use of ‘good models of prayers’ on the internet.

Additionally, the Pope gave two prayers to say each day with the Rosary to pray for an end to the pandemic. If and when we choose to pray the Rosary, the Pope promises, ‘I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you.’ (Pope Francis, 25-4-2020). To conclude the letter, Pope Francis sent a blessing and asked us please, to pray for him.

THE ROSARY AND THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME

There are many children and families who know how to pray the Rosary, but there are some who may not. The Grow in Love programme for First Classes/P3 and Second Classes/P4, introduces the Rosary to the children and their families. These lessons in the two class standards are taught as Seasonal Lessons in the month of October. This month in the Catholic Church is dedicated, as is the month of May to praying the Rosary. In addition, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary annually on the 7 October. Besides these Seasonal lessons, the children are taught about Mary, Mother of God at other stages of the Liturgical Year i.e. Advent, Christmas, Easter and Feast days.

It is hoped that with the foundation built in Grow in Love Junior Infants/P1 and Senior Infants/P2 that, children and their families will come to see that the Church is a community of people; that Mary loves and cares for us; that Mary is a model for all Christians.

During these two years in First Class/P3 and Second Class/P4, the children will be taught the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Additional Mysteries of the Rosary will be introduced in middle and senior standards. In all the children are taught, they are accompanied by their families and by their parish. The school supports the home and the parish.

The Rosary is an ancient prayer in the Catholic Church. As people pray the Rosary, Mary accompanies them in the life events of Jesus. To pray the Joyful Mysteries, we recall five events in Jesus’ life; the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, the Nativity (the birth of Jesus), the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.

These five stories are found in St Luke’s Gospel and families might do a Bible Search to find them.

To pray a decade of the Rosary, we say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and one Glory be to the Father. When children use the Rosary beads to pray a decade of the Rosary their finger/thumb co-ordination develops. The Rosary is also a meditative prayer and with each mystery of the Joyful Mysteries, one can reflect on an event in the life of Jesus.

So, in learning the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, it is hoped that children will identify the joyful moments in Jesus’ life. Children can name the Joyful Mysteries and explain how to pray a decade of the Rosary and how to use Rosary beads. They can participate in saying a decade of the Rosary with family or friends. Through regular praying of the Rosary the children will grow in appreciation of prayer and the life of Jesus.

The e-books for all classes are available on the VERITAS Grow in Love website.

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

The Grow in Love e-books for GIL First Classes/ P3 and Second Classes/P4 provide helpful child friendly resources for learning how to pray the Rosary. The prayers required i.e., The Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father may be accessed at the back of the Grow in Love e-book.

The Grow in Love dashboard on the VERITAS website provides the following resources for GIL First Class/P3 and Second Class/P4; vimeo of ‘The Presentation in the Temple’, slideshow of Jesus’ life, vimeo of children praying the ‘Hail Mary’ using gestures, vimeo of the Joyful Mysteries’, lyrics of ‘Grow in Love’, ‘Quiet and Still’ and ‘Mary Our Mother’, Colouring page of the ‘Rosary’ and ‘the Visitation’ and also an Art Activity and reflective music.

SONGS to sing from Grow in Love during the month of May: ‘Mary our Mother’, ‘Quiet and Still’, ‘Mary’, ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’, ‘The Magnificat’, ‘Regina Coeli’. All these are available on the VERITAS website.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

SIGN OF THE CROSS

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

COMHARTHA NA CROISE

In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Áiméan.

OUR FATHER

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass

against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. Amen

AN PHAIDIR

Ár nAthair ata ar neamh,

go naofar d-ainm,

go dtaga do ríocht, go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh

mar a dhéantar ar neamh.

Ár naran laethúil tabhair dúinn inniu,

agus maith dúinn ár bhfaicha,

mar a mhaithimindne dár bhféachúna

féin,

is ná lig sinn i gcathú,

ach saor sinn ó olc. Áiméan.

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

‘S É DO BHEATHA, A MHUIRE

‘S é do bheatha a Mhuire,

atá lán do ghrásta,

tá an Tiarna leat.

Is beannaithe thú idir mhná,

agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne,

Íosa.

A Naomh Mhuire,

a mháthair Dé,

guigh orainn, na peacaigh,

anois agus ar uair ár mbáis. Áiméan.

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER

Glory be to the Father,

and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning,

is now and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen

GLÓIR DON ATHAIR

Glóir do Athair,

agus don Mhac

agus don Spiorad Naomh,

mar abhí ó thús,

mar atá anois,

mar a bheas go brách,

le saol na saol.

Áiméan.

‘I, the Light, have come into the world, so that whoever believes in me will stay in the darkness no more, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘May the peoples praise you, O God, may all the peoples praise you.’ (Psalm 66:4).

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

In the month of May, the earth bursts into bloom and during this Covid-19 lockdown time, people make use of added time to work in the garden, being adventurous to plant vegetables, shrubs and flowers.

May is also the month the Catholic Church for centuries has set aside to honour Mary, Mother of God. There are a variety of ways in which people honour Mary, God’s Mother in homes, parishes and school.

Some people choose to recite the Rosary during this month and some display a May altar in their homes. This might include a statue or an image of Mary. Usually the altar is decorated with seasonal blossoms and May flowers. Remembering Mary, Mother of God at home fosters a spirit of prayer. An environment of prayer is an incentive to pray.

To give Mary a special place in our homes is significant, not just because it is a long standing tradition in the Church but because Mary is Mother of God and our Mother. Mary is everyone’s Mother and she intercedes for us daily with her Son, Jesus. Mary leads us to Jesus.

It was because of Mary’s ‘yes’ to God that Jesus came into the world. Mary was disturbed at the message of the Angel Gabriel, sent by God (Lk 1:26-38) but she trusted God and the power of the Holy Spirit and declared herself as the servant of the Lord. We honour this great act of faith and love when we pray the ‘Angelus Prayer’.

This month of May 2020, Pope Francis invites people to pray the Rosary to end the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, he invites people to pray two additional prayers for this intention daily. The prayer includes, ‘We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God; do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.’

ABOUT MARY AND ‘GROW IN LOVE’

Mary, Mother of God is central in the Grow in Love programme from Junior Infants/P1 to Sixth Class/P8 that is, through the four levels of the ‘Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland’ (2015).

Children have a fondness for Mary and can in faith willingly build a relationship with her. This relationship is fostered and nourished through prayer and devotion to her during the month of May in each of the class standards. As pupils move from one class standard to the next, they build on what has already been taught in the earlier stages in their growth in faith.With God’s grace, they draw closer to Mary.

At Level 1, which encompasses Junior Infants/P1 and Senior Infants/P2, the children are taught in a Seasonal lesson from the Grow in Love programme, that God chose Mary to be the Mother of God. They identify Mary as Mother of Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem at Christmas and grew up in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph. They are also taught that Mary is God’s Mother and Our Mother. As always, children reflect on their own experience of life in relation to those who love them and care for them.

It is then they identify May as a special month in which to remember Mary and there are many suggested ways to do this. As they grow in faith and love of Mary, they recognise that Mary, Mother of God is someone in whom they can confide. In Junior Infants/P1 the children are taught the prayer, ‘Hail Mary’/ ‘Sé do bheatha a Mhuire’. This prayer is one of the formal daily prayers people pray each day to honour Mary. When we pray, the ‘Hail Mary’, we ask Mary to pray for us also. We say, ‘Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.’

There are many opportunities for chatting, prayer and art work, including making paper flowers for a May altar. Children engage in a prayer service based on ‘The Annunciation’ (Luke 1:26-38).The children begin to sing, ‘When Creation Was Begun’ a familiar hymn used in parish liturgies.

A prayer space at home might include a blue/ white cloth, image or statue of Mary, Rosary beads or any other items that might be appropriate.

In addition to the Seasonal lesson taught, children meet Mary in the Grow in Love programme during other times of the Liturgical Year e.g. Advent, Christmas and Easter. They hear stories about Mary read in the Sacred Scripture.

SONGS from the Grow in Love programme that children might sing during the month of May include: ‘When Creation Was Begun’, ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘The Bells of the Angelus’, ‘Magnificat’ ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’,’Mary’ ‘Regina Coeli’- available as video lyrics/ lyrics on the VERITAS website:

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

On the website dashboard, one can access the e-books for all class standards; and in relation to Junior Infants/P1, and Senior Infants/P2, the following are available: an image of Mary and Jesus, a poster of Mary, quiet reflective music, lyrics for songs, ‘Quiet and Still’ and ‘When Creation Was Begun’; a colouring page to download and an image of a May prayer space and a slideshow of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

‘S É DO BHEATHA, A MHUIRE

‘S é do bheatha a Mhuire,

atá lán do ghrásta,

tá an Tiarna leat.

Is beannaithe thú idir mhná,

agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne,

Íosa.

A Naomh Mhuire,

a mháthair De,

guigh orainn, na peacaigh,

anois agus ar uair ár mbáis. Áiméan.

From the song, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’

‘Bring flowers of the rarest,

bring blossoms the fairest,

from garden and woodland

and hillside and dale.

Our full hearts are swelling,

our glad voices telling

the praise of the

lower of the vale.

Chorus:

O Mary we crown thee with

blossoms today,

Queen of the Angels and

Queen of the May.’

‘The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon).

‘I know my sheep and they follow me. I give them eternal life, alleluia.’(Magnificat antiphon)

‘Praise the Lord, all you nations; all you people praise him.’ (Psalm 116:1)

Bl. Edmund Rice, (1762-1844), Pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord is truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

A good shepherd cares for his sheep. He feeds them and gives them water to drink. The shepherd protects them and is attentive to all their needs. With his staff, he defends them from any obstruction or attack. The shepherd waits around while they graze and watches them lovingly as one sheep follows another. He knows each one and probably calls each by name. When a sheep strays or loses its way he rescues it and brings it safely back in his arms to the sheep fold. Because the shepherd spends a long time with his sheep they trust their shepherd and they recognise his voice. Sometimes a shepherd might prefer to do something else rather than take care of his sheep, but he chooses to stay with them.  A shepherdess would care in the same way!

What a lovely and appropriate image for Jesus- The Good Shepherd! Jesus grew up among shepherds and sheep so he knew their life and customs. Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd. He said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd’.

God is the Good Shepherd, though there is only One shepherd. Jesus is One with the Father, though distinct from the Father. The Father and Son are equal. Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him. That is why there is only One shepherd-The Good Shepherd.

Today the priest proclaims the ‘Parable of the Good Shepherd’ (Jn 10:11-18) at Mass which can be heard on the webcam or personally read in the New Testament. Children are familiar with this parable from the Grow in Love programme (Luke 15:2-7).

“ALL OR NOTHING”

An excellent film, available on YouTube that illustrates what one good shepherd might look like in the world today is “All or Nothing”. The film describes the life of an Irish nun, Sister Clare Crockett from Brandywell Co. Derry who was killed in an earthquake in 2016 in Ecuador. She was 33 years of age. Sister Clare was a well-loved, gifted and popular young woman who responded to God’s call and invitation to enter the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother in 2001, at eighteen years of age.

With her guitar in hand, a great deal of energy and a remarkable love and appreciation for God, she lived her vocation to the full. She had “a special gift to reach the souls of children and young people” and she spent much of her time in the company of young people and her Sisters, working in schools and organising youth camps. Young people loved her and many of them are interviewed in the film sharing her wonderful witness and joy. This film is inspirational and inspires hope in young and not so young. Sister Clare was described as an “all or nothing” person and worked wholeheartedly for God and the mission. Life wasn’t a bed of roses for Sister Clare but she trusted in Jesus Christ who was the love of her life.

Though the film is not included in the Grow in Love programme, children would like to see the joy, friendship, energy and zeal  Sister Clare had for people. Young people already have discovered a great role model in her. Her love for God and her spirit of joy lives on in her family, her community, her friends and the youth who knew her.  There are clips of Sister Clare preparing children to receive Holy Communion and the sacrament of Reconciliation. She also worked with candidates who were discerning their call to religious life.  She loved to shepherd the youth and encourage them to hear God’s call and invitation to love and trust.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD IN THE GROW IN LOVE PROGRAMME

Both ‘The Parable of the Lost Sheep’, (Luke 15:2-7), and Psalm 23 are explored throughout the Grow in Love Programme from GIL First Class/P3. This Parable and Psalm 23 in the Sacred Scripture are central to the preparation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Chatting experiences help children to identify the ‘shepherds’, people who lovingly care for them in their day to day life.  It is hoped that children will consider the meaning of the parable in the context of their own lives. They will identify God as the shepherd who will always seek out those who are lost. They will empathise with the feeling of the shepherd who loses the sheep, and the sheep who has strayed. Reflecting on the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep they are invited to see and understand that as the Good Shepherd seeks out the lost sheep. God seeks out God’s people with love, compassion and mercy so each is invited to return to God. In turn, children will grow in these loving values through prayer and reflection.

With regular reading of the parables introduced in the Grow in Love programme, the children will identify the Kingdom of God in the reality of the world. They will recognise these parables in Sacred Scripture and hear them proclaimed during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass.

When studying the Books of the Bible the Psalms are introduced in Grow in Love. Psalms are prayers which people prayed to God in ancient times. Psalms of thanks, sorrow, praise and psalms in time of need are included in the Grow in Love e-books. The psalms use images and words to describe God, e.g. shepherd, rock, shield. Psalm 23 is a lovely prayer for children in helping them to know and trust God.

As the children reflect and listen to the proclamation of the Word of God they deepen their relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Children are encouraged to write and pray their personal psalms.

A variety of attractive vimeos, online resources and art and craft activities on the theme of the Good Shepherd and Shepherding, can be accessed on the dashboard of the VERITAS website.

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Emai: trial@growinlove.ie

Passsword: growinlove

Today might be a good day to sing songs  which can be accessed on the website that are related to God’s care, love and protection; “ The Lord he is my Shepherd’, ‘Quiet and Still’,’ Grow in Love’ ‘Circle of Friends’, ‘Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks’, ‘The Bible Rap’, ‘Sing Praise’(Psalm 148), ‘I Am Sorry God’.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

ACT OF SORROW

O my God, I thank you for loving me.

I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving

others and not loving you.

Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen.

GNíOMH DÓLÁIS

A Dhia, gabhaim buíochas leat as ucht do ghrá dom.

Ta brón orm faoi mo pheacaí uile:

Nach raibh grá agam duitse ná do dhaoine eile.

Cabhraigh liom mo shaol a chaitheamh

ar nós Íosa agus gan peaca a dhéanamh arís.

Áiméan.

PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

O my God, help me to remember the times when I didn’t live

as Jesus asked me to.

Help me to be sorry and try again. Amen.

PAIDIR AG IARRAIDH MAITHIÚNAIS

A Dhia, ár nAthair, cabhraigh liom

cuimhneamh ar na huaireanta

nár mhair mé mar a d’iarr Íosa orm.

Cabhraigh liom brón a bheith orm

agus iarracht eile a dhéanamh. Áiméan.

PRAYER AFTER FORGIVENESS

O my God, thank you for forgiving me.

Help me to love others.

Help me to live as Jesus asked me to.

Amen.

PAIDIR TARÉIS MAITHIÚNAIS

A Dhia, ár nAthair, go raibh maith agat

faoi mhaithiúnas a thabhairt dom.

Cabhraigh liom grá a thabhairt

do dhaoine eile.

Cabhraigh liom maireachtáil mar a

d’iarr Íosa orm.

Áiméan.

‘I am the good shepherd; I feed my sheep and I lay down my life for them, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘I have these sheep that are not of this fold and these I must also lead. They too will listen to my voice and there will be only one flock and one shepherd.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘My soul thirsts for God, for the loving God. Where shall I go and see the face of God?’ (Psalm 42:3)

St Conleth, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

People set aside days annually to remember special events such as wedding anniversaries, anniversaries of death, birthdays and other important personal / family moments. It is good to remember and recall. Lest we forget, it is important to highlight milestones and memories.

Today 4 May 2020 International World Dawn Chorus is marked. Unfortunately because of Covid-19 the programme won’t go ahead as planned. However, at this moment in time, the birdsong continues, giving a sense of calm and relaxation.

The Church arranges the Liturgical Year so the people of God can remember and celebrate Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension and associated events. This Sunday of the year is dedicated to pray for vocations. ‘Good Shepherd’ Sunday is an international day set aside for Catholics to pray and encourage vocations from families and parishes to the priesthood and religious life. Pope Francis wrote a letter ahead of this day for the 57th World day of Prayer for Vocations, which can be accessed on the Vatican website.

At 11.00 a.m. today, RTE 1 television will broadcast Mass in honour of this intention. All God’s people are invited “to join with Pope Francis in asking the Church to continue to promote vocations. The Holy Father asks us to find courage to say ‘yes’ to God, to overcome all weariness through faith in Christ.” (Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI))

ABOUT GROW IN LOVE AND VOCATION

In the Grow in Love Religious Education programme, children are encouraged to tune their ear to the calls in their lives. They hear their parents/guardians, grandparents, friends, teachers and neighbours calling them on a daily basis. They can respond to the call or ignore the call. Saying ‘yes’ to a call requires a spirit of discernment, availability and generosity e.g. a parent who asks  his/her child for help with housework, shopping, gardening or caring for a sibling. Sometimes the familiar response is, ‘hang on. I’ll do it when I’m ready…or when this film is over…or when I’m finished on my phone’ etc… It is an appropriate day to highlight God’s gift of creation in the 2020 International World Dawn Chorus.

The Grow in Love programme, in themes and lessons provides opportunities to view resources on the theme of ‘Christian vocation’, accessible on the VERITAS website:

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

In Sacred Scripture, children explore God’s call and invitation to Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Samuel and others in the Old Testament. In the New Testament they read of the call of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the apostles and disciples. They said ‘yes’ to God’s call. Through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit these people recognised that God loved, chose, invited and sent each one to do a special task. In everything God invited the person to do, God promised the grace to help. God fulfilled this promise in moments of joy and sorrow. Those God called, learned to be patient and to trust in God. Psalm 139 (GIL), reflects God’s personal love for and intimate knowledge of each person. Through the generations, in God’s own way, God called and invited the saints and many holy people who responded with their best efforts.

God continues to call the faithful. The children hear of how may Christian people lived out their lives carrying on the work of Jesus; individuals who said ‘yes’ to God’s invitation, because each person loved God and wanted to reach out in love, especially to those who lived on the margins. Such people desired to share God’s love in many different ways. The Holy Spirit prompted them in particular ways according to their gifts and abilities.

The lives of a number of saints are introduced in the Grow in Love in Grow in Love. Christian heroes and heroines are included in Sixth Class/P8. These lives are accessed in the e-book for Sixth Class/P 8 on the VERITAS website.

Children identify Baptism as the primary source of Christian vocation. God continues to call and invite men and women to love and serve God’s people today. God sent Jesus to witness and to teach his disciples about love.  By his words and actions Jesus showed the disciples how to live the commandments of love and the ‘Beatitudes’. Jesus asks us, his disciples to live by these attitudes of love in loving God and serving others. Mary, Mother of God was the first disciple. She too prays for the disciples and accompanies them.

Children are taught to explore the ‘Christian vocation’ as God’s personal call and invitation to live in a particular way. They recognise that God always gives a choice of response. God offers each one the gift of freedom. It is through prayer and silence that children listen for the voice of God, inviting them to live a life of love. Over time, the children grow in readiness to answer God’s call. They are taught that Christians are called to work for Social Justice today.

Opportunities for reflection, chatting, slideshows, Sacred Scripture, journal activities, online activities, vimeos, role play, and poetry – all help children to explore God’s call. Children also learn by example and they read the lives of Venerable Nano Nagle, foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation, Willie Bermingham, founder of ALONE, and many others who led lives of holiness.

Children throughout the programme are invited to explore their parish community and the diocese to which they belong. They are taught about the ministry of the Bishop and the priest/s in the diocese and how each one is called by God through the Sacrament of Holy Orders to love God and serve and shepherd God’s people.

Children learn to understand that they too with their families are called to be actively participative in their local parish by using their gifts and talents. The invitation is for everyone.

SONGS related to the theme of vocation include, ‘The Summons’, ‘The Lord He is my Shepherd’ ‘Who Do You Say That I Am?’ ‘They’ll Know We Are Christians By our Love’, ‘Tar Anuas, A Spioraid Naoimh’, ‘Where Your Treasure Is’, ‘Make A Good Choice’, ‘Whatsoever You Do’, ‘Use What You’re Given’. All available as /lyrics video lyrics

SING from the song ‘The Summons’

‘Will you come and follow me

if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t

know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown; will you let my

name be known;

Will you let my life be grown

in you and you in me…?’

From the song ‘Without Seeing You’

‘The sparrow will find a home,

near to you O God;

How happy we who dwell

with you,

forever in your house…’

PRAY with Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

Prayers to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.

Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.

Guide me.

Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.

Teach me.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.

Enkindle in us the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and we shall be

created.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who has taught the hearts

Of the faithful

By the light of the Holy Spirit,

Grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise

And ever to rejoice in his consolation,

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Paidir chuig an Spiorad Naomh

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dhéanamh.

Cabhraigh liom.

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireachtáil mar a mhair Íosa.

Treoraigh mé.

A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom

guí mar a ghuigh Íosa. Múin dom é.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

And blessed  is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

‘I am the shepherd of the flock; I am the way, the truth and the life; I am the good shepherd; I know my own and mine know me.’ (Benedictus antiphon).

‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; and I, the Lord know them, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’ (Psalm 23:1)

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’(Invitatory antiphon)

It is estimated on google that on average, the human person makes 35,000 choices per day. During this Covid-19 time, restrictions limit choice. Therefore, personal freedom is curtailed. Such a time of change brings hardship, disturbance and anxiety to people facing unemployment and close of businesses. However, people haven’t lost the ability to make choices. It is essential to maintain a spirit of hope and faith on a day to day basis.

The priest concludes chapter six of St John’s Gospel today at Mass which will be read via webcam. Alternatively, this Scripture can be read from the Bible (Jn 6:60-69). In the Scripture the disciples are offered a choice by Jesus-to follow him or not.

Jesus is teaching the Jews and they find what he is saying very difficult. Many of the followers said, “This language is very hard! Who can accept it?” Jesus told them why he came-so that later he would ascend to where he was before with his Father. Jesus came from God to share with us the life of God. He will bring those who believe back to God for eternal life. Meanwhile on earth, Jesus is present to those who believe and he gives himself to them in the Eucharist. Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of life’ (Jn 6:48). He promised, ‘The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day’ (Jn 6:54). We hear after that teaching of Jesus, many disciples went away and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the twelve, “Will you also go away?” Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus must have been smiling and happy when he heard Peter saying these words. Jesus didn’t coerce the disciples into following him. He left them a choice. They freely chose to follow him.

In the Grow in Love programme, children begin from an early age to recognise the choices they make and the consequences of the choices. In the middle and senior classes they are taught about choice and the formation of conscience. They learn in the context of the experiences of their lives by reflecting on choices taken. Reflection on Gospel stories helps children learn Gospel values. To make good choices, for their personal lives, their lives with others and the environment is key to help children become disciples of Jesus. The Holy Spirit guides disciples to make good choices. So prayer is an important part of a child’s daily timetable to keep them in tune with God’s will and working for the common good. They learn to choose that which is right and that which is not right or good for themselves or others. The Eucharist helps the disciples to nourish their lives and to live, love and pray like Jesus. It is Jesus’ desire that disciples today will also say, ‘We now believe and know you are the Holy One of God.’ Prayer sustains faith in God.

Stories, poems and journal activities with the Grow in Love e-books are accessible to families to help them discern choices, available on VERITAS website.

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

Children slowly mature in their relationship with God, learning to trust, love and serve God and other people. In Fifth and Sixth Classes as young people prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. they see the Holy Spirit as guide, Advocate and Paraclete. They learn to pray the Examen, where they hear Jesus gently speaking to them, helping them to review their day. They take time to reflect on their feelings in a quiet atmosphere of trust and calm. They pray to the Holy Spirit in preparation to receive the sevenfold gift. These gifts help to bear the fruit of love in daily life.

Popular songs on video lyrics from the Grow in Love website help the children to learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives e.g. ‘ Make a Good Choice’, ‘Send Forth Your Spirit’, ‘Welcome Holy Spirit, Welcome’, ‘Spirit- Filled Day’, ‘Tar Anuas, a Spioraid Naoimh’, ‘Spirit Anthem’, ‘The Great Commandment’ ‘Trust in the Lord’ Psalm 37.

PRAY from Grow in Love/InGrá Dé

Act of Faith

O my God, I believe in you

and in all that your holy Church teaches

because you have said it

and your Word is true.

You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God.

Lord, I believe; increase my faith. Amen.

Act of Hope

O my God, I put my hope in you

because I am sure of your promises.

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and

grant us peace in our day,

as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour,

Jesus Christ, Amen.

Act of Love

O my God,

I love you with all my heart,

with all my soul, and with all my strength.

Lord, increase our love.

Help us to love one another. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.

Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.

Guide me.

Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.

Teach me.

Paidir chuig an Spiorad Naomh

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dhéanamh.

Cabhraigh liom.

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireachtáil mar a mhair Íosa.

Treoraigh mé.

A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom

guí mar a ghuigh Íosa. Múin dom é.

from the song ‘ Welcome Holy Spirit, Welcome’

‘Holy Spirit help my judgement

to know how to do what’s right.

Welcome, Holy Spirit, here.

Help me day and night.

‘Simon Peter said, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Christ, the Son of God”, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘I am the door, says the Lord. Anyone who enters through me shall be safe and he will find a place of pasture, alleluia.’

(Magnificat antiphon)

‘How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?’ (Psalm 116:12)

St Athanasius, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’(Invitatory antiphon)

During Covid-19, residents in urban areas greatly appreciate the wide green spaces for the daily 2km exercise. I personally benefit from the work of the members of Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council who planned a great acreage with paths, fields and sportsgrounds all of which are currently a great help to citizens. In addition, these spaces are regularly maintained to a very high standard by the Councils keeping them safe and attractive.

It is such a pleasure to walk each day with adequate social distance and notice the trees, the blossoms, the river and the hedgerows. It’s equally delightful to see families and young people make full use of the amenities-cycling, playing, walking dogs, exercising, picnicking and chatting as they enjoy and spend time together. Mams and Dads gaze at their children with love and cheer them on in their new ventures of cycling, athletics, games and running. This gaze is a reminder of the gaze of love that God has on all God’s creation. It also speaks of Mary and Joseph’s gaze of love on Jesus.

Today, the 1st May, we remember St Joseph, The Worker. We pray in his name for people whose work is to care for those who are sick with the corona virus, that they and their families may be safe and have the courage to persevere. This month we honour Mary, Mother of God and our Mother. We pray for her protection.

What does God ask in return for the constant gaze of love? I am left with the question the psalmist asks, ‘How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?’ (Psalm 116). God gives all creation life to the full. God desires to give Godself to everyone who believes in Jesus. God loves each one unconditionally. We strive to trust and surrender to God’s will.

Today’s Gospel (Jn 6: 52-59) heard at Mass via the webcam or it can be read personally in the New Testament. When Jesus says, ‘I am the bread of life’ he gives the gift of himself. Food is important for sustenance in this life, like the manna was in the wilderness for the Jewish ancestors. They died but ‘the one who eats this bread [of life] will live forever.’ Jesus promises eternal life to those who eat his flesh and drink his blood. There is no better gift given than eternal life, ‘to know you the One true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.’ Jesus is alive and will live in those who eat his flesh and drink his blood. The Father sent Jesus and Jesus lives because of the Father. In the same way, Jesus says, ‘whoever eats me will live because of me.’ This is food for eternal life. Jesus desires that we live with him now and forever in love. These words Jesus spoke ‘while he was teaching in the synagogue’. We follow Jesus as his disciples and believe he is living in us. This is Good News of hope and joy and it’s why we pray ‘alleluia’.

FOR THE CHILDREN

The children first experience love shown by their parents/guardians, grandparents, families and friends. They learn to appreciate this gift of love. As children grow they come to know God’s gaze of love and they deepen their relationship with God. They develop a personal friendship with Jesus and they encounter him in the Eucharist when they receive Holy Communion for the first time. Children learn to thank God for the concrete experiences of love through prayer and sharing love.

Holy Communion, the bread of life nourishes and strengthens the love within. Preparation to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion is a shared responsibility between home, parish and school. The Grow in Love programme supports this partnership. Following the liturgical year, children are taught about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The children grow in faith through regular experiences of prayer in the home, in the parish and in the school. Prayer is central to the faith formation of children and their families who are preparing to meet the risen Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time.

These days of the Easter season children are home/ schooled and it may be helpful to look through the various programmes of Grow in Love and use the helpful resources to learn more about the Eucharist. Prayers, poems and stories are included in the e-books. Resources are accessible on the VERITAS Grow in Love website

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

There also online resources relating to the Mass. The post resurrection stories help children to see that Jesus was given a new life after he died, called the resurrection. When he came back he met his friends but they did not recognise him at first but they eventually did when he shared a meal with them. There were full of joy at seeing Jesus. It may be a good time to read the stories of Mary Magdalene at the tomb, the disciples ‘On the Road to Emmaus’ and other stories about the disciples meeting the risen Jesus.

Children are taught that when they go to Mass that they too share a meal with Jesus. Jesus is present in four ways; in the assembly of the people; in the priest; in the Word; and under the appearance of bread and wine. Perhaps they might like to look at the webcam for a celebration of Eucharist and notice what is happening.

SING WITH GROW IN LOVE

Children enjoy the Grow in Love songs and pray as they sing with the lyrics/video lyrics: ‘Eat This Bread’, ‘Ithigí an t-Arán Seo’, ‘We Come to You Lord Jesus’, ‘Céad Míle Failte Romhat’, ‘The Last Supper’, ‘We Come To Your Feast’, ‘The Welcome Table’, ‘The Beatitudes’, ‘Who Do You Say That I Am?’ ‘O Sacrament Most Holy’, ‘Go Tell Everyone’, ‘Whatsoever You Do’, ‘Gircle of Friends’, ‘This Little Light of Mine’, ‘Christ Be Our Light’.

PRAY with Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

COMMUNION RITE

Invitation to Holy Communion

Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God,

behold him who takes away the sins of the world.

Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

People: Lord, I am not worthy

that you should enter under my roof,

but only say the word

and my soul shall be healed.

When Receiving Holy Communion

Celebrant: The Body of Christ.

People: Amen.

Prayer before Holy Communion

Lord Jesus, come to me.

Lord Jesus, give me your love.

Lord Jesus, come to me and give me yourself.

Lord Jesus, friend of children, come to me.

Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Paidir roimh Chomaoineach

A Thiarna Íosa, tar chugam.

A Thiarna Íosa, tabhair dom do ghrá.

A thiarna Íosa, tar chugam agus

Tabhair tú féin dom.

A Thiarna Íosa, a chara na bpáistí, tar

chugam.

A Thiarna Íosa, is tú mo Thiarna agus mo Dhia.

Moladh leat, a Thiarna Íosa Críost

Prayer after Holy Communion

Lord Jesus, I love and adore you.

You’re a special friend to me.

Welcome, Lord Jesus, O welcome,

Thank you for coming to me.

Thank you, Lord Jesus O thank you

for giving yourself to me.

Make me strong to show your love

wherever I may be.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all of us children in your loving care

and bring us to heaven to live with you there.

Paidir taréis Comaoineach

A Thiarna Íosa, gráim agus adhraim thú.

Is tú mo chara dílis.

Fáilte romhat, a Thiarna Íosa.

Go raibh maith agat as teacht chugam.

Go raibh maith agat, a Thiarna Íosa,

as ucht tú fein a thabhairt dom.

Cabhraigh liom do ghrá a léiriú

cibé áit a mbím.

Bí taobh liom, a Thiarna Íosa,

fan in aice liom go deo.

Beannaigh sinn, na páistí atá faoi do chúram

agus tabhair ar neamh sinn chun cónaithe leat féin.

Táim reidh anois, a Thiarna Íosa,

tá grá agam go leor.

Taim reidh anois le do ghrá a thabhairt

sa bhaile is don saol mór. Áiméan.

From Sixth Class, Grow in Love

O SACRAMENT MOST HOLY

‘O Sacrament most holy,

O Sacrament divine,

all praise and all thanksgiving

be every moment thine.’

‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation’. (Mk 16:15)

‘He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘Christ died on the Cross and rose again from the dead to redeem us, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

St Joseph, the Worker, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

FEAST OF ST PIUS V, (1504-72)

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’(Invitatory antiphon)

There are many among us who enjoy reading a good story or book. The Bible is one of, if not the most popular book in the world. It is a myriad of stories in a library of books.

Without a doubt, in my experience, one of the most interesting sections of the Grow in Love Religious Education programme for children is Sacred Scripture. Children love the stories from both the Old and New Testaments. From Grow in Love Junior Infants/P1 right through to Grow in Love Sixth Class/P8, children with their teachers listen to and read many of the stories repeatedly. This helps children deepen their knowledge, understanding, appreciation, faith and love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. With prayer and conversation, reading Scripture helps form conscience and guides life choices.

Today’s first reading, ‘Philip baptises the Ethiopian’
(Acts 8:26-40) read at Mass can be heard via the webcam or personally read from the New Testament. This Scripture passage is not included in the Grow in Love programme. Nevertheless, the story will hold a child’s interest and there are aspects to the story with which a child will be familiar.

The story, ‘Philip baptises the Ethiopian’ (Acts 8:26-40) is interesting and child friendly. The angel told Philip to go in the direction of Gaza, which he did. An Ethiopian was passing along the way sitting in his carriage reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip to ‘go and catch up with the carriage’. Philip approached the Ethiopian and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked him, ‘Do you really understand what you are reading?’ The Ethiopian replied, ‘How can I unless someone explains it to me?’ He invited Philip to get into the carriage with him and they travelled together. The Ethiopian asked Philip was the prophet speaking of himself or was it someone else? Philip then began to tell him the Good News about Jesus, using the text the Ethiopian was reading. They travelled along the road and came to a place where there was water. The Ethiopian on seeing the water said to Philip, ‘Look, here is water; what is to keep me from being baptised?’ He ordered the carriage to stop; Philip and the Ethiopian went to the water and Philip baptised him. After this, the Spirit prompted Philip to go away. The Ethiopian went on his way full of joy. Philip continued to announce the Good News.

POSSIBLE POINTS OF INTEREST
Philip used his gift of faith to share the Good News with the Ethiopian. The Ethiopian was not afraid to ask questions about what he read from the prophet Isaiah.
Hearing the Good News brings joy and listening to the Good News can even bring greater joy to one’s life.

This story has huge possibilities for learning: about the Bible; the Acts of the Apostles; the dialogue that could be dramatised; opportunities to talk about sharing the Good News with everyone; witnesses to Philip’s listening to God and how he acted on what God asked him to do, through the angel who was the messenger and also the Spirit.

The Third Mystery of Light, The Proclamation of the Good News prayed in the Rosary, a prayer dedicated to Mary, Mother of God might be recited today. It is possible to reflect on Philip and the Ethiopian travelling in the carriage. The dialogue initiated by Philip opens the possibility for evangelisation, ‘Do you really understand what you are reading?’ The response is straightforward and direct, ‘How can I, unless someone explains it to me?’ Many people have a desire to come to know God and God’s word. In praying a decade of the Rosary one can reflect on sharing the Good News. To pray a decade of the Rosary, using the Rosary beads, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and one Glory be to the Father.
All the Mysteries of the Rosary are explored in the Grow in Love programme. There are support resources on the VERITAS website including those in the Grow in Love e-books.

This story also presents a prompt for discussion about the sacrament of Baptism and to chat about Baptism in the life of the family. At Baptism we become members of God’s family and we are blessed with the gift of faith and with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This sacrament helps us to answer Jesus’ call to follow him, to pray and to love God and our neighbour.

Many of the SONGS in the Grow in Love programme relate to the theme of the Word of God and Baptism and the Holy Spirit : ‘Grow in Love’, ‘Bible Rap’, ‘Use What You’re Given’, ‘Christ Be Our Light’, ’Alleluia’, ’Send Forth Your Spirit’, ‘Water’, ’Tar Anuas, a Spioraid Naomh’, ‘Trust in the Lord (Psalm 37)’, ‘They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love’, ‘Come, Holy Spirit’, ‘Sing Praise’(Psalm 148), ’Our Father’, ’I Have a Name’, ‘Jesus Prayed to God’, ‘Baptism Song’, ‘The Church’, ‘Parish Anthem’, ‘Shalom Aleichem’. All are available as lyrics/video lyrics.

There are many resources related to the Bible, Baptism and the sacraments available on the VERITAS website.
Logon: www.veritas.ie
Email: trial@growinlove.ie
Password: growinlove

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

LITURGY OF THE WORD
After the Readings
Reader: The word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

LIOTÚIRGE AN BHRIATHAIR
I ndiaidh na Léachta
Léitheoir: Briathar an Tiarna.
Pobal: Buíochas le Dia.

Prayer on Opening the Bible
Bless me, O God, so that
in opening this Bible
I may open my mind and heart
to your Word.
May it nourish me
as it nourished Jesus. Amen.

Paidir ar an mBíobla a oscailt
Beannaigh mé, a Dhia, ionas
nuair a osclaím an Bíobla seo
go n-osclóidh mé m’intinn agus
mo chroí
do do Bhriathar.
Go gcothaí sé mé
faoi mar a chothaigh sé Íosa.
Áiméan.

Prayer on Closing the Bible
Bless me, O God, so that
in closing this Bible
I may enclose your Word
in my heart and in my mind
as Jesus enclosed it in his. Amen.

Paidir ar an mBíobla a dhúnadh
Beannaigh mé, a Dhia,
agus an Bíobla seo a dhúnadh agam
go gcionneoidh mé do Bhriathar
i mo chroí agus i m’intinn
faoi mar a rinne Íosa.
Áiméan.

‘I tell you solemnly, everyone who believes in me has eternal life, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘I am the bread of life that has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever: and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world, alleluia.’
(Magnificat antiphon)

‘Cry out with joy to God, all the earth;’ (Psalm 66:1)

St Pius V, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

FEAST OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, PATRON OF EUROPE, (1347-80).

‘You feed the hungry in your sweetness, because you are gentle, without a trace of bitterness. O Eternal Trinity!’ St Catherine of Siena.

On these fresh, bright and beautiful mornings it is uplifting to awaken to the bird song, the sight of the blossom and the scent of the whitethorn. The psalmist addresses the whole of creation in Psalm 148, and invites every living creature to thank God. Each one can do that in his/ her/its unique way. God’s creation is a gift which calls for appreciation and recognition. Pope Francis calls each one to ‘care for our common home’.

Today as we look at the trees, hedgerows, flowers, weeds, insects, animals, mountains, sky, stars, moon, sun, clouds, water…we can imagine how they praise their Creator… just by being the best they can be. This pleases and brings joy to God. God created the world with love and for love. St Francis, patron saint of ecology is studied in the Grow in Love programme.

Celebrating the feast of St Catherine of Siena today, we recall her writing from the Dialogue ‘On Divine Revelation’. St Catherine addresses God using images of creation, ‘O Eternal Trinity, you are an abyss, a deep sea;…You are a fire ever burning and never consumed,…By your light you enlighten our minds…’ What a great tribute to God and an acknowledgement of her Creator.

The Gospel which the priest reads at Mass today (Mt 11:25-30), can be heard via webcam or can be read in the New Testament. Jesus offers a prayer of thanks to God and acknowledges how God is pleased. Jesus provides a model on how to pray. Out of this loving relationship with God, he invites the readers and listeners, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ The yoke Jesus gives to the disciples is good as it helps carry the load. Such a consolation Jesus wishes to offer the people of the world today, particularly in this time of Covid-19.

The Morning Prayer in the Grow in Love Religious Education programme contains a phrase that reads, ‘I’ll try to please you Father.’ One way to please God is to say thank you. There are also many other ways. This phrase echoes some words of St John’s Gospel (Jn 6). Jesus tells the crowd why ‘he has come down from heaven.’ He has come ‘not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.’ It is the will of the Father that that all who believe would have eternal life.

Jesus spent his whole life doing the Father’s will, doing what God wanted. This nourished and sustained his life even to the death on the Cross. Jesus shows the disciples another way to please God is to do his will. They recognise this when they pray the ‘Our Father’.

How do disciples know what God wants of them? By communicating with God in prayer, by trusting God and listening to Jesus’ teaching and believing in him are just some of the ways of knowing what God wants. Jesus always helps the disciples along the way even especially when they find the going tough. By exploring the stories and poems in Grow in Love, children grow in God’s love and learn how to turn to God in happy and challenging times and how to share the love with others.

The psalmist in Psalm 37 calls each one ‘to trust in the Lord and to do good’.

Both Psalm 148 and Psalm 37 are available as video lyrics on the VERITAS website www.veritas.ie. Verses from these psalms can also be read from the Bible or the e-books for Third Class/P5 and Fourth Class/P6. Psalms 139, 23 and more are also taught in the Grow in Love programme. The children also learn that at Mass each day a psalm is read from the lectionary during the Liturgy of the Word. This is taught in the context of the lesson on The Mass in the Third class/P5, Fourth Class/P6 programme, Fifth Class/P7 programme.

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove.

Many of the SONGS in the Grow in Love programme relate to the theme of creation and thanksgiving: ‘Grow in Love’, ‘Thank You, God, for Our World’, ‘Caring for God’s World’, ‘Created by God’, ’Alleluia’, ’When Creation was Begun’, ‘Water’, ’We give Thanks’, ‘Trust in the Lord (Psalm 37)’, ‘Parable Song-The Mustard Seed’, ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’, ‘Sing Praise’(Psalm 148), ’Beginning Today’, ’Creation Story’, ‘God has Given us the Earth’ all are accessible as lyrics/video lyrics.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

Care For the Earth

God our Creator, you have given us

the earth, and the sky and the seas.

Show us how to care for the earth, not

just for today but for ages to come.

Let no plan or work of ours damage

or destroy the beauty of your creation.

Send forth your Spirit to direct us to

care for the earth and all creation. Amen.

Cúram don Domhan

A Dhia ár gCruthaitheoir, thug tú an

talamh, an spéir agus na farraigí dúinn.

Taispeáin dúinn conas aire a thabhairt

don domhan, ní hamháin don l atá inniu ann,

ach do na haoiseanna atá

le teacht freisin.

Ná milleadh aon phlean ná obair

againne áilleacht do chruthithe.

Seol do Spioraid chugainn chun

cabhrú linn aire a thabhairt don

domhan agus don chruthú ar fad.

Áiméan.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass

against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. Amen

An Phaidir

Ár nAthair ata ar neamh,

go naofar d-ainm,

go dtaga do ríocht, go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh

Mar a dhéantar ar neamh.

Ár narán laethúil tabhair dúinn inniu,

agus maith dúinn ár bhfaicha,

mar a mhaithimindne dár bhféachúna

féin,

is ná lig sinn i gcathú,

ach saor sinn ó olc. Áiméan.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.” (Mt 11:28-30).

‘The holy virgin, Saint Catherine, never ceased praying to God to let peace return to his holy Church, alleluia’ (Benedictus antiphon).

‘At all times and in all places, Catherine sought God. She found him and was united to him in love, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘With all my heart I praise the Lord

And with all that I am, I praise his holy name.’ (Psalm 103:1).

St Catherine of Siena, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

An email with a video attached came into my email this morning. It was from Emily’s Mam forwarding a video of Emily singing the song ‘Grow in Love’. It is delightful and as I observed it I drew my own conclusion. It spoke of the beauty and joy of a child giving thanks to God in song.  You will find the video on the Veritas Grow in Love website www.veritas.ie

The Gospel read by the priest at Mass today (Jn 6:30-35) which can be heard on the webcam or read in the New Testament, tells of the Jews asking Jesus about his work and for a sign that they might believe in him. They witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the 5000. On that occasion, they wanted to make him king but Jesus saw what was happening and withdrew to a quiet place to pray.   The Jews recall the manna Moses gave their ancestors in the desert. God is giving them a greater gift than manna.

God is giving them ‘true bread from heaven’, Christ, ‘who will give life to the world’ not only here on earth but for eternal life. To receive Christ one must believe in him sent by God and make a personal commitment to him. The crowd ask Jesus for ‘this bread always.’  Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.’ In the ‘I am’ statement, God gives Godself-the ‘I am’ refers to how God introduced Godself in the burning bush to Moses.

This is Jesus’ desire for the children as they explore the Grow in Love programme- that they will never hunger or thirst, because they are assured of Jesus’ presence with them always. Firstly, they experience God’s love in the love of their parents/ guardians, siblings, grandparents and teachers. They receive love, give love and perceive God’s love as they grow in love.

At this time of lockdown children waiting to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time are looking for a sign that this will happen. Children who wait to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and the coming of the Holy Spirit hope for a sign that this will take place. In the waiting, there is room for preparation, prayer and opportunities to deepen one’s personal relationship with Jesus.

Due to the restrictions of Covid-19 it is not possible for the faithful to receive Holy Communion at Mass. However, it is possible to receive a spiritual communion which is explained best in the words of the prayer itself (as below). Disciples continue to follow Jesus each day by seeking and finding him in other people and in the environment and by reaching out in an active love.

To help children prepare and deepen their commitment to Jesus there is access to the e-books to read Scripture, video lyrics and vimeos, sing songs and hymns, pray and chat about their life and friendship with Jesus. Throughout Grow in Love many online activities and journal exercises can be accessed on the VERITAS website:

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

SONGS to help us in our life with Jesus are available as lyrics video lyrics on the website: ‘Grow in Love Song’,  ‘Circle of Friends‘, ‘The Last Supper’, ‘Eat this Bread’, ‘Ithigí an t-Arán Seo’ ‘Close To You’, ‘The Spirit of God is Upon Us’, ‘Love’, ‘Take Off Your Shoes’, ‘The Summons’ ‘Gifts from God’, ‘Without Seeing You’, ‘The Servant Song’, ‘Christ Be Our Light’.

PRAYER-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.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

Invitation to Holy Communion

Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God,

Behold him who takes away the sins

of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper

of the Lamb.

People:

Lord, I am not worthy

that you should enter under my roof,

but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

When Receiving Communion

Celebrant: The Body of Christ.

People. Amen.

Prayers to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.

Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.

Guide me.

Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.

Teach me.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.

Enkindle in us the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and we shall be

created.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who has taught the hearts

Of the faithful

By the light of the Holy Spirit,

Grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise

And ever to rejoice in his consolation,

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Paidir chuig an Spiorad Naomh

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dhéanamh.

Cabhraigh liom.

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireachtáil mar a mhair Íosa.

Treoraigh mé.

A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom

guí mar a ghuigh Íosa. Múin dom é.

‘I tell you solemnly, Moses did not give you bread from heaven; it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon).

‘The bread of God is that which came down from heaven and gives life to the world, alleluia.’(Magnificat antiphon)

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716), Pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon