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