Holocaust Memorial Day takes place each year on 27 January. Although everyone is facing challenging circumstances, the need to mark HMD locally has never been greater, with recent times seeing a rise in identity-based hostility. HMD provides an opportunity for schools and communities to reflect on how they can make a better, safer future for everyone by learning from the past.
The following resources and ideas may be all you need to get involved. Any activity would be great as even putting up a poster in the school reception area can raise awareness and have an impact. The scope is endless, but the following are things you could do:
- have a time of reflection or prayer in a service/assembly maybe including a life story of a survivor or victim
Prayer by Philip Hall
Prayer of Penitence
Life Story Pastor Niemolle The Council of Christians and Jews has produced the attached resource on this year’s theme, One Day.
A prayer for Holocaust Memorial Day
Loving God, we come to you with heavy hearts, remembering the six million Jewish souls murdered during the Holocaust. In the horrors of that history, when so many groups were targeted because of their identity, and in genocides that followed, we recognize destructive prejudices that drive people apart. Forgive us when we give space to fear, negativity, and hatred of others, simply because they are different from us.In the light of God, we see everyone as equally precious manifestations of the Divine and can know the courage to face the darkness. Through our prayers and actions, help us to stand together with those who are suffering, so that light may banish all darkness, love will prevail over hate and good will triumph over evil. Amen
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CHURCH UNITY WEEK 2022
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an annual initiative of the World Council of Churches will take place from January 18-25. The theme for this year’s prayer is “we saw his star in the East, and have come to worship him” (Mt2:2) The Magi came from a distant land and gave the homage to Jesus that was reserved to God.
This years’ resources have been prepared by the Christian Churches of Lebanon, where Christians hold on to a hopeful attitude despite social conflict, the Beirut explosion of 4 August 2020 and the pandemic. There are resources for this week at:
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022
The theme for this year explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loexQQY5w-8
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NEWS FOR TEACHERS Knock Reopens to School Retreats:
“We are delighted to announce that the Youth Ministry at Knock Shrine will resume school retreats throughout 2022. School retreats are available to both primary and secondary schools and offer students a meaningful, spiritually uplifting day to reflect within themselves and experience quality time with their fellow students. Retreat programmes are flexible and can be tailored to suit your group’s needs or time limitations. If you would like to plan a school retreat, please get in touch with a member of our Youth Ministry team:
T: (094) 93 75321 E: youthministry@knockshrine.ie
or find out more at www.knockshrine.ie/news” (Maria)
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