Some resources to use for assembly or class work / worship.

Manresa Advent Videos:

Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality in Dublin has re-released videos from last year for Advent 2021. The free material is offered to support people who wish to take a day or a few days retreat in their own place. The reflective talks are followed by some pointers for thought and prayer and guided prayer sessions are also offered. Click here for the Advent videos ».

Epiphany : A Simple Classroom Blessing ( From Jesuit School Resources)

The Kings arrive in each classroom, accompanied by children carrying lights/candles, and announce their arrival by ringing a bell or singing the first verse of We Three Kings.

A reader reads from the gospel of Matthew (use the symbolism of reading from the Bible book instead of from a sheet of paper):

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came from the east. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was.  The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage.  Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

The kings take around the gifts of a sweet for each child.

Then the chaplain (or one of the kings) takes chalk and marks up the blessing on the door of the classroom. (If it is difficult to do this on the paint of the door it is an idea to use a strip of black sugar paper attached to the top of the door or above it).

20 + C + M + B + 19

The prayer is spoken as the chalk marks are made above the door:

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, followed the star to where Jesus was born two thousand and nineteen years ago. They did him homage and offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

May Christ bless this classroom and all those who teach and learn in it this year. May it be a place of joy and peace. Amen.

Then the chaplain blesses the classroom and the people in it by sprinkling holy water. And the procession of kings departs for the next room. (Don’t forget to include the staff room and offices too!)

Welcoming our New Year 2022

“Week of Witness” will take place from Sunday 21 Nov – Saturday 27 November 2021. During the week, we will remember all who have given great witness to their faith in the past and those who continue to give witness today, and all who will continue to give great witness in the future.

On Wednesday 24^th November (Red Wednesday) Archbishop Eamon will celebrate a special Liturgy in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at 7.30pm. As part of the Liturgy, the Archbishop will speak with two young people who give great witness to their faith today.

Aidan Forker is from the Parish of Loughgall, Co Armagh, a teacher in St John’s Primary School, Kingsisland. A well-known sportsman who plays with Maghery GAC and he’s also a member of the Armagh Senior Football Panel. He’s married with two sons.

Ciara Donnelly is from the parish of Eglish, Co Tyrone, a teacher of Mathematics in St Catherine’s College, Armagh. Ciara is also a well-known sportsperson who plays camogie with her local club in Eglish and she’s also a member of the Armagh Senior Camogie Team. She also plays Ladies Football with Killeeshil GFC and is engaged to get married next year. 

People are invited to wear something red on the evening as we remember all who have given and all who continue to give great witness to their faith today.

After the Liturgy, Archbishop Eamon will launch a new book in The Synod Hall titled “In His Master’s Footsteps – The Way of the Cross in the company of St Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop and Martyr” edited by Canon Benedict Fee.

All are welcome to join in the evening.

ACN WEEK OF WITNESS ( INFO FOR SCHOOLS) https://www.acnireland.org/witness

Every year Aid to the Church in Need hosts the Week of Witness, a week of campaigning and prayer for persecuted Christians around the world. Red Wednesday is the central event of the Week of Witness.

By ACN Ireland

Red Wednesday is a day to gather and draw attention to the plight of those who are persecuted and oppressed for their religious beliefs. Cathedrals, churches and public buildings around the world will light up in red to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Red Wednesday is an initiative of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Catholic charity dedicated to the support of suffering and persecuted Christians. This year, Red Wednesday will take place on the 24th of November.

Christians are the most persecuted people in the world

It is clear that the persecution of Christians is reaching a crisis point. In terms of the number of people involved, the gravity of the acts committed, and their impact, not only are Christians more persecuted than any other faith group, but ever-increasing numbers are experiencing the worst forms of persecution.

The purpose of Red Wednesday is to join together and raise a strong voice in support of the persecuted who are unable to speak freely, and who look to us – their brothers and sisters in Christ – to speak on their behalf.

How can I get involved with Red Wednesday? 

Pray: Prayer is the bond that unites us in love and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who suffer and are persecuted for their love of Jesus. Join us in praying throughout November for persecuted Christians. You may also want to offer a Mass for the Persecuted Church. 100% of Mass offerings are sent to poor priests who will celebrate Mass for your prayer intentions.

Awareness: The persecution of Christians if too often ignored. You can change this by knowing the stories of those who suffer and making those stories known. Join our mailing list to receive our weekly newsletter by email, follow us on social media and subscribe to receive our Mirror publication.

Donate: By making a donation to Aid to the Church in Need you are helping us to fund projects that support Christians that are being persecuted, oppressed or are suffering. Each year we receive 7500 requests from around the world but we can only help with about 5000 requests due to a lack of funds.