Hard to believe but as February as flashes past we are rapidly approaching the season of Lent once more.

Pope Francis has already issued his Message for Lent 2017

He writes

Shusaku Endo’s Silence

Martin Scorcese’s 2016 film, based on Shusaku Endo’s celebrated novel Silence, raises a wide range of faith-related questions. The story follows Fr. Sebastian Rodrigues, a seventeenth-century Jesuit priest from Portugal who sneaks into Japan in a time when Christians were brutally persecuted there.

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Seventeenth-century Japan: Two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to a country hostile to their religion, where feudal lords force the faithful to publicly renounce their beliefs. Eventually captured and forced to watch their Japanese Christian brothers lay down their lives for their faith, the priests bear witness to unimaginable cruelties that test their own beliefs. Shusaku Endois one of the most celebrated and well-known Japanese fiction writers of the twentieth century, and Silence is widely considered to be his great masterpiece.

October has always been a Marian Month. A time to rediscover Mary or Mother and to return and renew our comittment to praying the rosary.

Below are some resources to help you and your family do that.

doc how-to-pray-rosary

how-to-recite-the-rosary

prayers-of-the-rosary

rosary-lesson-slides

rosary-pdf

full-mysteries-of-the-rosary-to-colour

october-memorare-marian-prayers

reflection-on-hail-mary

Websites for Religious Education

This very comprehensive list of links and reviews was originally compiled in the 1990s by Máire Byrne, Milltown Institute.  It has been revised and updated by Susan Morgan, St Mary’s University College, Belfast.

You can download this as a pdf doc

list-of-catholic-websites-for-re-use

Recommended Catholic Websites

http://www.catholicblogs.com/

The largest Catholic blog website on the Internet and one of the easiest to use and to search. Search for articles from thousands of Catholic blogs, or browse the directory of Catholic blogs and RSS/Atom feeds. Hundreds of articles added daily to this website.

http://www.godtube.com/

God Tube is a free video sharing website much like the infamous YouTube but which specialises in Christian-themed videos. The website has a huge selection of themes, from Christian music videos to fascinating insights on how the liturgy is celebrated in other countries and cultures.

http://www.mycatholic.com/

Personalize your content, layout, and preferences. Choose from daily Mass readings, reflections, news, links, tools and more. http://www.catholicroom.com/ Catholic news, inspirational stories, articles and links presented by topics.

http://www.catholiccontent.com/

This website offers free content to Catholic blogs and other (non-profit) Catholic websites. By simply adding a few lines to your HTML code, you can easily provide Mass readings, reflections, and more to your readers.

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/

London-based daily Catholic news service.

http://www.catholictv.org/

For more than fifty years, Catholic TV has been providing programming for the Catholic community in Boston and beyond.

http://catholiccatechist.org/

Online curriculum support for catechists with discussion group, Catholic links etc. Some content requires subscription.

http://www.catholicparents.org/

Resources for parents who wish to educate their children (both home schooling and as a follow up to what their schools teach).

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/

An excellent resource website including information on saints and Catholic news. The link above is the prayer resource section on the website, including a good resource on the Stations of the Cross.

http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/

This is a beta site but contains lots of videos (many linked to YouTube) that may be used in a classroom setting. Information on prayer and youth groups is very good and there is a service where you can upload your own video masterpiece to share with other groups!

http://catholic-resources.org/

Does what it says on the tin!

General Resources for Religious Education

https://resource-ni.com/

RE Source is a website created to support the teaching in Post-Primary Religious Education in Northern Ireland. Contains a good variety of resources and is regularly updated.

http://www.reonline.org.uk/

English website-Good resource pages

http://www.theresite.org.uk

Information on all key stages and integration of ICT into RE lessons

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/?Subject=25

Religious Studies section of this website provides links to larger websites (such as the British Museum). You can search by age group.

www.bustedhalo.com

Love this resource – endless ideas or for keeping up with current trends in religion and spirituality. I particularly love the video/podcast section – especially ‘In Two Minutes’ – really brilliant short clips on a variety of topics – everything from Lent to WYD explained in (you guessed it…) 2 minutes.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith//

The London Times website on various faith centered topics. Superb articles and lots of up to date information.

http://www.worldprayers.org/

A random prayer generator that is a lot more sophisticated than it sounds!

http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/

Daily prayers that you can download as MP3s. Very useful for playing via a laptop in the classroom.

http://www.thinkingfaith.org/

The online journal of British Jesuits.

http://www.theway.org.uk/

The Way is an international journal of contemporary Christian spirituality, published by the British Jesuits.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm

The online Catechism.

https://lifestyle.tearfund.org/

Part of the TearFund website that deals with issues of global poverty and injustice which focuses on social justice

www.christianbook.com

A favourite website for buying “hard copy” resources. Though it is based in the US the shipping is quite reasonable and they offer good discounts on bulk buys.

http://www.oprah.com/app/inspiration.html

Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! Some useful video clips, for example, on a variety of life issues

Professional

https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/

Department of Education website for Northern Ireland

http://www.gtcni.org.uk/

General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland

http://onlineccms.com/

Catholic Council for Maintained Schools – access to information, advice and opinion on Catholic education and Catholic schools in Northern Ireland

http://www.eani.org.uk/

Education Authority

http://www.ncca.ie/

Website of Ireland’s National Council for Curriculum and Assessment

http://ccea.org.uk/

Website of Northern Ireland’s Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

http://www.ceist.ie/

Website of the trustee body for the voluntary secondary schools of the Daughters of Charity, the Presentation Sisters, the Sisters of the Christian Retreat, the Sisters of Mercy and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The newsletter of this website is especially useful and well designed.

http://www.catholiceducation-ni.com/

Resources for Catholic Schools in Northern Ireland.

http://www.sces.uk.com/

Access to information, advice and opinion on Catholic education and Catholic schools in Scotland. Useful section on RE Resources.

Some Irish Websites

www.catholicbishops.ie

Revised and updated!

www.catholicireland.net

The largest Catholic website based in Ireland. Most Irish websites with a Catholic slant are subsites of this website so it makes a good starting point on a search for resources. Content is varied however so navigation away from the main page should be undertaken with reserve. The Requiem subsite is particularly out of date and prone to crashing. The “Talk to God” link above this is very good for personal prayer for students. Note that the site contains a link to the pdf document of the Liturgical calendar for the year (on the right hand side of the page)

http://www.sacredspace.ie/

A huge and valuable resource site on prayer and reflection. Can easily be used in the classroom on PowerPoint, a handout, or in assigning roles to prayer leaders. Continuously updated and good on seasonal resources.

www.prayerandspirituality.com

Armagh Archdiocese website of Prayer and Spirituality Commission.  Good for down loads on prayer and Seasons of the Year.

www.kandle.ie

The website for the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin. An excellent resource site.

Other Resources on the Internet

Many of the larger Museums and Libraries have lots of resources that you can use in discussions of religious themes.

British Museum

http://www.britishmuseum.org/

British Library

http://www.bl.uk/

Jewish Museum New York

http://www.jewishmuseum.org/

Jewish Museum Berlin

www.vatican.va

is technical but having a snoop in the “secret archives” (Almost disappointingly linked from the home page!) is good fun-the site offers a virtual tour!

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/scheme

QCA schemes of work

http://www.ncaction.org.uk

National Curriculum in Action has exemplar pupils’ work linked to levels

World Religions

http://www.channel4.com/hajj

Hajj, The Greatest Trip on Earth – television programme screened by Channel Four

http://www.dharmathecat.com/

Buddhist philosophy via cartoons

http://www.islam.org

http://www.hindu.org

http://www.sikhs.org

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/world_religions/

Other useful websites

https://www.trocaire.org/

http://cafod.org.uk/

https://www.concern.net/en/

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/

https://www.goalglobal.org/

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/

http://education.crs.org/prayer_services.cfm

Website run by the Catholic Relief Services. Lots of resources for prayer services. Excellent links page.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/re/

http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/quiz/what-kind-of-catholic-are-you.aspx

What kind of Catholic are you? Answer 23 questions and find out!

http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/ccc.html#CATECHISM

Link to the Catechism of the Catholic Church online

https://udayton.edu/imri/all-about-mary/index.php

International Marian Research Institute – is one of the largest international centers of study, research and teaching on Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ – for all you ever wanted to know about Mary!

http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html

English version of the Vatican Website – a wealth of resources at your fingertips

http://www.appleseeds.org/religfav.htm

Franciscan run “link site” that is well updated. Lots of scholarly articles on a variety of Church documents.

http://www.christusrex.org/www1/Sistine/0-Sistine.html

Sistine Chapel – an extended visual tour – beautiful!

http://request.org.uk/life/art/

http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/

Current and historical information about bishops, cardinals, popes.

http://theolibrary.shc.edu/

Theology Library of Springhill College – well worth a look – comprehensive selection of Catholic teaching on a variety of issues

http://www.beliefnet.com/

An inspirational website includes quotations and prayers from all major religions

http://www.religioustolerance.org/glossary.htm

Glossary of religious terms

The Bible

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/

Here is the entire Bible online – 54 different versions in English. Just select book and chapter.

http://www.biblenotes.net/

Every book of the Holy Bible is summarized with easy-to-read review notes and keypoints, very useful for everyone and a resource for Bible study

http://biblehub.com/

Online Bible study suite

http://www.ntgateway.com/images.htm

Generally viewed as the New Testament website – has a wealth of every type of resource, (audio, video, books, articles, websites, etc) on the New Testament.

http://www.biblical-art.com/

Huge resource for biblical paintings and biblical art in general.

http://www.thebricktestament.com/

The one with the lego men. Check for age appropriate content.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/resources/maps/

PowerPoint slides (maps etc)

http://bibledudes.com/biblical-studies/

Vernacular descriptions of terms associated with Biblical Studies. Includes some raps and songs – good fun!

http://bible.oremus.org/

Online, searchable text of the NRSV Bible. What did we do before cut and paste!

http://www.godweb.org/atlasindex.htm

Links to bible maps which make for useful visual aids.

Google Earth is invaluable for locating the “weird and wonderful” place names in the Bible and world religions.

May in the Jubilee of Mercy                 

Archbishop Eamon wrote recently

In my Pastoral Message for the Year of Mercy, I indicated my wish for schools throughout the diocese to participate in a Rosary Crusade; this initiative has grown into the Rosary Relay. My vision is to unite the pupils of the Archdiocese of Armagh in prayer during the month of May in this Jubilee Year of Mercy.

My intention is for the young people across the Archdiocese, in their classrooms, to pray together a decade of the Rosary at 12 noon each day during the month of May.  The aim of this Rosary Relay is to engage the pupils and staff in the mysteries of our faith and to be part of what Pope Francis has described as an ‘extraordinary moment of grace and spiritual renewal’ in this Year of Mercy.

To assist schools, rosary resources will be available on the diocesan website at http://www.archdioceseofarmagh.com.  I am grateful to Méabh Carlin and Hannah McCauley, who, along with the expertise of iCatholic, have produced professional, child-friendly, engaging and spiritual videos of the Mysteries of the Rosary.

The schools of the diocese were contacted in February and invited to participate in the Rosary Relay during May.  I am delighted with the response from our schools; to date we have despatched 19,000 rosaries as well as 19,000 rosary prayer cards in readiness for 1 May. Many children will also bring their own rosaries into school.

To support the praying of the rosary see some resources attached to download for use with classes.

How to pray Rosary

Prayers of the Rosary

full-mysteries-of-the-rosary-to-colour

Here are some resources to help us all relax from the stress and business of daily living and in stillness come to know the God who loves each of us beyond our wildest dreams or imaginings.

Canticle-of-the-Creatures-ppt

Prayer for Strength John XXIII

Pope Francis Prayer for Jubilee.

The Jesus Prayer With Icons

THE JESUS PRAYER Handout

A Prayer to St Moninne

This time of year is cold and dark and for many depressing.  This 3 minute film shows us the beauty to found all around us in nature even in the cold of winter.

Some prayer services and resources for class and personal use in Lent and Easter.

Check out earlier years on right hand side for further materials.

Lectio for Sundays Lent 2016

Ash Wed & Lenten Services inc Penance Services and Stations of the Cross

School Liturgy for the Distribution of Ashes

stations-of-the-cross-examination-of-conscience

Ashes and Penance in Lent

Trocaire Service for Lent &  Care for the Earth

Mary takes us through the Stations of the Cross

We Have This Treasure – Holy Thursday Meditation

Pope Francis has issued his wonderful letter for Lent 2016. download text for personal reading or class discussion.

Lenten Message of Pope Francis 2016

Archbishop Eamon has sent this Letter for Lent 2016 to all parishes.

Year of Mercy Pastoral Lenten Letter from Archbishop Eamon – Leaflet Format

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will run as usual from 18 to 25 January.

The theme this year is ‘Salt of the Earth’.

The 2016 material was prepared for worldwide use by the Christians of Latvia, and adapted by the Britain and Ireland writers group, based around the verses 1 Peter 2:9-10. Peter’s first letter is an encouragement to the newly baptised to live holy lives and to answer the calling shared by all the baptised to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord.

Today, Latvia is a crossroads where Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox regions meet. Because of this unique location, it is home to Christians of many different traditions, but no single one of them is dominant. Gathered together by the Archbishop of Rīga, members of a variety of church communities and projects in Latvia were asked to reflect on the chosen theme and the experience of their work.

The main service is inspired by the verses from Peter’s letter and Jesus’ metaphors of salt and light which are important cultural themes for Latvia. Each of the days has been prepared by one of the diverse Church communities. The 8 Days are linked principally by the experience of being a Christian in Latvia.

WPCU-2016-English-OOS

WPCU-2016-English-pamphlet

WPCU-2016-Irish-OOS

WPCU-2016 SERVICE