St Carthage, bishop<\/p>\n
\u2018The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.\u2019(Invitatory antiphon)<\/p>\n
Various forms of media provide daily updates during this time of Covid-19 on the number of persons who died in the pandemic. These include people who work and minister in professional and pastoral services. Such people gave their lives in serving persons who are sick. Among them internationally are, health care workers, nurses, priests, chaplains, volunteers, doctors and others who died while working on the front line. Covid-19 continues to spread around the world mercilessly. The pandemic leaves workers in a very vulnerable position.<\/p>\n
We pray for all who have died. We pray for families who are bereaved and mourn the loss of a loved one. We pray for a spirit of courage, perseverance and trust for those who dedicate their lives to the care of the sick and dying. We pray for all who are suffering right now through war, violence, hunger, thirst and all forms of poverty and injustice. May our eyes and hearts be opened to their every need.<\/p>\n
Sadly, many people die alone, and some deaths will never be recorded due to people dying in poor circumstances and lives of poverty.<\/p>\n
We thank God for those who are cured from the coronavirus and are now reunited with their families.<\/p>\n
The Gospel (Jn 15:12-17) the priest proclaims today at Mass may be heard via the webcam or read from the New Testament. Jesus commands the disciples to love one another. He says, \u2018There is no greater love than this, to give one\u2019s life for one\u2019s friends; and you are my friends, if you do what I command you.\u2019 Jesus explained to the disciples that he will not call them servants any more. He calls them friends. This is an endearing term because he says he has \u2018made known to them everything I learned from my Father.\u2019 It was Jesus who personally chose each one of them, \u2018to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.\u2019 (Jn 15: 16). As the Father and Jesus are one, Jesus assures them that \u2018everything you ask of the Father in my name, he will give you.\u2019 (Jn 15:17). What the disciples are invited to do as friends of Jesus is \u2018to love one another.\u2019(Jn 15: 17). This is a big challenge, and Jesus promises his friends that he will be with them always to the end of time.<\/p>\n
\u2018GIVING ONE\u2019S LIFE FOR ONE\u2019S FRIENDS\u2019 AND THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME<\/p>\n
In Christus Vivit, the Apostolic Exhortation to the Young People and the Entire People of God, Pope Francis writes that \u2018the heart of the Church is full of young saints who devoted their lives to Christ, many of them even dying a martyr\u2019s death\u2019 (no.49). These \u2018young saints\u2026in their day have been real prophets of change. He says, \u2018Their example shows what the young are capable of, when they open themselves up to encounter Christ\u2019 (no. 49). The Pope recalls some of the young people \u2018who each in his or her own way, and at different periods in history, lived lives of holiness.\u2019 (no.49).<\/p>\n
The young people who prepare in Fifth Class\/P7 and Sixth Class to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, using the Grow in Love Religious Education programme are introduced to a number of people who lived lives of holiness. Some of these were very young when they died. Many never received sainthood. Some did. Short passages about the lives of a selection of Christian heroes\/ heroines and saints are accessible on the VERITAS Grow in Love website in the e-books.<\/p>\n
Logon: www.veritas.ie<\/p>\n
Email: trial@growinlove.ie<\/p>\n
Password: growinlove<\/p>\n
A series of questions about each hero\/heroine\/saint accompanies each short life story which allows for reflection on the life of the person and their contribution to life. Then the pupils reflect on their lives in the light of Christian values.<\/p>\n
The final question about each Christian hero\/heroine\/saint is, \u2018How might his\/her life and the things he\/she did and said inspire you?\u2019 Pupils find this exercise very helpful and with discussion, prayer and reflection they come to a greater understanding and knowledge of themselves.<\/p>\n
Pupils reflect on the variety of gifts and visions of these people: appreciation of the gift of life; giving up one\u2019s life for others; do the ordinary things in life with an extraordinary love; dedicate their lives to prayer; work to promote unity; promote justice and fairness; cherish the gift of faith; cherish forgiveness and reconciliation; reach out to those who live in poverty and with injustice; care for persons who are homeless; are ecologically aware; values education; are ambassadors for peace; are loving parents and grandparents; and proclaim the Good News.<\/p>\n
Pupils identify that people like St Oscar Romero (1917-1980) and St Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) willingly gave up their lives for others and consequently they died. Jesus was the first to give up his life for all. He died on the Cross on Calvary. He is our Redeemer and Saviour.<\/p>\n
Children learn that they too have to sacrifice their lives in small ways for example, sometimes putting other people before themselves; by sharing something they would like to keep for themselves; by listening to their parents and teachers. Through the guidance of their parents\/guardian\/teachers and the help of the Holy Spirit, children learn to make good choices.<\/p>\n
Pupils are encouraged to see that the world needs them and their gifts and talents. Each one is chosen by God to follow Jesus and his way of love. Disciples are \u2018sent to bear fruit, fruit that will last.\u2019 God\u2019s promise to them is, \u2018And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.\u2019 (Jn 15: 17).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SONGS from Grow in Love that support this theme: \u2018Whatsoever You Do\u2019, \u2018Go Tell Everyone\u2019, \u2018Love\u2019, \u2018Connected\u2019, Circle of Friends\u2019 \u2018Spirit Anthem\u2019, \u2018Spirit Filled Day\u2019, \u2018Make a Good Choice\u2019. All are available as video lyrics.<\/p>\n
From GROW IN LOVE\/ I NGR\u00c1 D\u00c9<\/p>\n
SIGN OF THE CROSS<\/p>\n
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/p>\n
COMHARTHA NA CROISE<\/p>\n
In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. \u00c1im\u00e9an.<\/p>\n
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT<\/p>\n
Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.<\/p>\n
Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.<\/p>\n
Guide me.<\/p>\n
Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.<\/p>\n
Teach me.<\/p>\n
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.<\/p>\n
Enkindle in us the fire of your love.<\/p>\n
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be<\/p>\n
created.<\/p>\n
And you shall renew the face of the earth.<\/p>\n
O God, who has taught the hearts<\/p>\n
Of the faithful<\/p>\n
By the light of the Holy Spirit,<\/p>\n
Grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise<\/p>\n
And ever to rejoice in his consolation,<\/p>\n
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.<\/p>\n
PAIDIR CHUIG AN SPIORAD NAOMH<\/p>\n
A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dh\u00e9anamh.<\/p>\n
Cabhraigh liom.<\/p>\n
A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireacht\u00e1il mar a mhair \u00cdosa.<\/p>\n
Treoraigh m\u00e9.<\/p>\n
A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom<\/p>\n
gu\u00ed mar a ghuigh \u00cdosa. M\u00fain dom \u00e9.<\/p>\n
\u2018S \u00c9 DO BHEATHA, A MHUIRE<\/p>\n
\u2018S \u00e9 do bheatha a Mhuire,<\/p>\n
at\u00e1 l\u00e1n do ghr\u00e1sta<\/p>\n
t\u00e1 an Tiarna leat.<\/p>\n
Is beannaithe th\u00fa idir mhn\u00e1,<\/p>\n
agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne,<\/p>\n
\u00cdosa.<\/p>\n
A Naomh Mhuire,<\/p>\n
a mh\u00e1thair De,<\/p>\n
guigh orainn, na peacaigh,<\/p>\n
anois agus ar uair \u00e1r mb\u00e1is. \u00c1im\u00e9an.<\/p>\n
\u2018This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you, alleluia.\u2019 (Benedictus antiphon)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u2018A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.\u2019 (Magnificat antiphon)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u2018I will give thanks to you O Lord among the people; I will sing praise to you among the nations.\u2019 (Psalm 56:11).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
St Carthage, pray for us.<\/p>\n
Sr Anne Neylon<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
St Carthage, bishop \u2018The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.\u2019(Invitatory antiphon) Various forms of media provide daily updates during this time of Covid-19 on the number of persons who died in the pandemic. These include people who work and minister in professional and pastoral services. Such people gave their lives in serving persons who are sick. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5172\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}