St Augustine of Canterbury, bishop, (1515-1595), Memorial
‘Christ the Lord has promised us the Holy Spirit: come, let us adore him, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon).
People regularly ask others to pray for them; for example, in sickness, at exam time, birth of a baby, searching for employment, during a life crisis, family difficulty, situation of domestic violence, addiction issues and many more situations. Many pray in thanksgiving for what they have received. Some say thanks to God for the person who prayed for their intention. Some people may never have their prayer answered but they don’t give up on God. God doesn’t give up on them either. This month of May, Mary, Mother of God and our Mother invites us to pray the Rosary daily. Pope Francis issues that invitation also.
At this time of Covid-19, priests via the webcam when celebrating Mass, on occasion tell the parishioners they are remembered in prayer.
The Gospel proclaimed by the priest at Mass today (John 17:11b-19) can be heard via webcam or read in the New Testament.
The Word today is Jesus’ prayer to the Father. Jesus is going to the Father. He will be no longer in the world. He prays for protection for his people from the evil one. He prays that his apostles and all who believe may become a new people dedicated to God. Jesus is entrusting his mission to God’s people so they will be able to share the Good News of God’s love in the world. Jesus will ask the Father to send a Helper, the Holy Spirit. Jesus prays that his people will know God. This requires taking the Word of God into their hearts and spending time in prayer. With the power of the Holy Spirit, they will do good works. Jesus prays that they will be all united together in God. Jesus asks the Father that the disciples will be a joyful people.
Disciples might thank Jesus for remembering them in prayer and thank the Father for praying, knowing the Father and Jesus are one.
SEEK GOD IN THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Last week, (16-24 May 2020), the church celebrated Laudato Si’ Week, the theme of which was ‘Everything is Connected.’ Whatever children are taught in school, there are always links to the Good News. We believe that God is ever present and always draws God’s people close to him. That is why the Good News is central to family life and the home/parish/school partnership.
In school, children listen to God’s Word. While these verses of Sacred Scripture (John 17:11b-19), are not included in the Grow in Love programme, children might recognise aspects of Jesus’ life and mission reflected therein, for example, from the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed they identify that Jesus is in heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father.
From concrete experiences of life, children know people who leave home for one reason or another. Families pray for their safety. They understand that Jesus, because he was going to the Father had to leave his friends behind. He asks God to protect them.
At the Ascension, children read in Sacred Scripture that Jesus is going to the Father and that he will not leave the disciples without a Helper. The Helper is the Holy Spirit. In time, from the experience of their own Baptism, children believe that they have received the Holy Spirit and they are welcomed into God’s family. In the sacrament of Confirmation, they receive the sevenfold gift of the Spirit which helps them live fruit filled lives.
The Holy Spirit teaches God’s people how to pray, to love and to live like Jesus. Very shortly, the church will celebrate the feast of Pentecost.
We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our common home.
As children spend time praying in school throughout the day, they learn to be quiet and still and listen to God in the silence of their hearts. They gradually come to believe and know God by reading and meditating on Sacred Scripture. They acknowledge thanks for God’s love and the gift of faith. In the Bible, they read how Jesus taught his disciples to love. Like Jesus, they too are invited to love God, love themselves, love one another and respect the environment.
The prayers the children learn in school and at home, including the Prayers of the Mass are accessible in the Children’s Grow in Love e-book on the VERITAS website. Many more resources are also available. The prayers and songs addressed to the Holy Spirit are significant at this time of the Liturgical year as is the account of Pentecost found in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-13).
Logon: www.veritas.ie
Email: trial@growinlove
Password: growinlove
PRAY with Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé
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 don Athair,
Agus don Mhac,
Agus don Spiorad Naomh,
Mar abhí ó thus,
Mar atá anois
Agus mar a bheas go brách,
Le saol na saol. Áiméan.
PRAYER TO THE TRINITY
Praise to the Father,
Praise to the Son,
Praise to the Spirit,
The Three in One.
PAIDIR DON TRÍONÓID NAOFA
Moladh don Athair,
Agus don Mhac,
Agus don Spiorad Naomh,
An Triúr ina aon.
COME HOLY SPIRIT
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.
TAR CHUGAM, A SPIORAID NAOIMH
Tar, a Spioraid Naoimh, líon croíthe
na bhfíréan.
Agus las ionainn tine do ghrá.
Cuir amach uait do Spiorad agus
cruthófar muid,
Agus déanfaidh tú aghaidh na talún a
athnuachan.
‘Let us thank God who has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon).
‘Christ will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon).
‘Sing to God, O kingdoms of the world; sing praises to the Lord.’ (Psalm 67:33)
St Augustine of Canterbury, please pray for us.
Sr Anne Neylon