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Author Archives: RESOURCE
Gaudete et Exsultate The call to holiness in the world today.
‘Gaudete et Exsultate’, Pope Francis calls on us to ‘Rejoice and be Glad’
A Christian cannot think of his or her mission on earth without seeing it as a path of holiness, for “this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess 4:3). Each saint is a mission, planned by the Father to reflect and embody, at a specific moment in history, a certain aspect of the Gospel.
Pope Francis launches his new exhortation
GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN TODAY’S WORLD
.I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile.
To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.
.This holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures. Here is an example: a woman goes shopping, she meets a neighbour and they begin to speak, and the gossip starts. But she says in her heart: “No, I will not speak badly of anyone”. This is a step forward in holiness. Later, at home, one of her children wants to talk to her about his hopes and dreams, and even though she is tired, she sits down and listens with patience and love. That is another sacrifice that brings holiness. Later she experiences some anxiety, but recalling the love of the Virgin Mary, she takes her rosary and prays with faith. Yet another path of holiness. Later still, she goes out onto the street, encounters a poor person and stops to say a kind word to him. One more step.
Please download and read prayerfully the full text below. ENJOY
Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate ..The call to Holiness.
For a detailed article that explains this wonderful exhortation follow this link…
‘Gaudete et Exsultate’, Pope Francis calls on us to ‘Rejoice and be Glad’
SERVANT LEADERSHIP A Prayer by Declan
A colleague recently asked me if I had a reflection or prayer on Servant Leadership. I searched my files but didn’t find one. I have made a small attempt myself at writing what I believe lies at the core of servant leadership. I hope you may find it helpful Declan
Servant Leadership – a prayer
Lord as we thank you for the great gift of communion with you, we recall that at the Last Supper you rose from the table and taking a towel you set to washing the feet of your disciples. Having completed this task, the work of a servant or slave, you asked your disciples to imitate this action saying “If I your Lord and Master have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet”. Christian leadership is a leadership based on service. After the Resurrection, the Risen Jesus had breakfast with some of the disciples by the lakeshore. Simon Peter who as leader had failed his Master even denying he had ever known him, found himself reinstated to this task when Jesus told him “feed my sheep”. Christian leadership is about being called by the Master and following his example reaching out to those we meet in service, forgiveness and love. Lord like Simon Peter we are frail and all too human. Strengthen our resolve to be Easter people who through servanthood exercise Christian leadership believing that the Master comes to each of us in those we meet and serve each and every day, Amen.
4th Movement CSW 2018
In his homily at the last World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Pope Francis spoke about howwe experience ‘homely gestures’ in our families, such as a hug at the e nd of a day, or a meal readywhen we arrive home. He then goes on to say the following:
“We Christians, the Lord’s disciples, ask the families of the world to help us! How many of us are here at this celebration! This is itself something prophetic, a kind of miracle in today’s world, which is tired of inventing new divisions, new hurts, new disasters. Would that we could all be prophets!
Would that all of us could be open to miracles of love to benefit our own families and all the families of the world, and thus overcome the scandal of a narrow, petty love, closed in on itself, impatient of others! I leave you with a question for each of you to answer – because I said the word ‘impatient’: at home do we shout at one another or do we speak with love and tenderness? This is a good way of measuring our love”
CHURCH UNITY 2018
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2018
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will run as usual from 18 to 25 January. The theme this year is That All May Be Free. Resources are available as downloads from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website at www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer. An interdenominational Service for Christian Unity will be held in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, on Wednesday, 24 January at 7.30pm. The guest preacher will be
Fr Kieran McDermott, Administrator of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin. It is hoped that there will be a large attendance of clergy and people from the diocese at this service. .
Download pdf of this year’s booklet
Powerpoint for Service
Week-of-Prayer-for-Christian-Unity-2018-Powerpoint-for-service
ADVENT 2017
Archbishop Eamon Martin launches Advent Calendar
· “As Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of our Lord, I encourage the faithful, notwithstanding our hectic schedule over the coming weeks, to make time to pray – alone and with loved ones – and by so doing to draw nearer to Christ.”
Ahead of the first Sunday of Advent which takes place this Sunday, 3 December, Archbishop Eamon Martin has launched a specially commissioned 2017 online Advent Calendar. This date also marks the beginning of the Church’s new year.
The online Advent Calendar will offer the opening of a virtual door each day during the season of Advent. Behind each door there will be content aimed at assisting people to pray and to reflect on how best we can put Christ to the centre of our Christmas preparations during this special liturgical season. This year’s Advent calendar will provide a special focus on family as part of ongoing preparations for the hosting of the World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin next August. There will be family prayers and suggestions for acts of kindness or charity that family members will be encouraged to take on during the month of December.
The calendar will go live simultaneously on the Catholic Bishops and the World Meeting of Families 2018 websites (www.catholicbishops.ie and www.worldmeeting2018.ie) on the first Sunday of Advent.
Archbishop Eamon said “The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Catholic year and the time of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s coming at Christmas. It is a time of waiting, conversion and hope. Advent also prepares us for the second coming of Christ at the end of time. As Christians, we must always be prepared for the coming of the Lord – ‘You must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do no not expect’ [Mt 24:37-44]. Preparation does not happen at once but over time and so each day of Advent amounts to a period of time which allows us to journey and reflect on the joy of the Gospel. Our online calendar is a helpful resource in this journey.”
Archbishop Eamon continued, “Advent offers us a perfect opportunity to reflect on the Gospel of the Family as we continue our preparations for the World Meeting of Families 2018. Pope Francis has described the family as the first school, the nearest hospital and the best place to grow old. This Advent, many parishes are continuing to reflect on the Amoris Programme and the Amoris: Let’s Talk Family, Let’s Be Family pastoral programme for the WMOF2018. The season of Advent offers all of us a period of time out to reflect on the gifts of our families and what they offer to us in our parishes, schools and in society.
Lectio and other resources to download
1st Sun Advent B 2017 Lectio Resource.
Advent 2 Year B 2017 Lectio Resource
3rd Sunday Advent B 2017 Lectio Resource
4th Sunday Advent Yr B 2017 Lectio Resources
Advent Penance Reconciliation Service 17
ADVENT -CHRISTMASTIDE slides (PDF of PPt)
Blessing and Prayers for Advent Wreath
Child of promise come ( Lovely reflection)
carol service powerpoint ( Pdf version. Backdrop)
ADVENT Booklet 2017 Year B Great booklet of resources for family and school.
School Liturgical Resources
From time to time teachers share copies of year Masses and also Whole school Masses and Celebrations.
We are often asked for examples of these. It is great to have some resources on paper to work with.
Why re-invent the wheel ?
School Mass from St Killians Community School Ardee. (Thanks Sean)
St Joseph’s Grammar (Catherine)
Mass for the beginning of the New Academic Year
Retirement Mass (Member of staff)
RESOURCES ON FAMILY
Donna sent me this link for the utube adverts on Family ( Tesco & McCain)
Really lovely ideas. How about making a school based video on Family
check it out … video on family as intro for World Meeting of Families Dublin 2018.
Resources for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2018
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from the 18th to the 25th January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul. However, some areas observe it at Pentecost or some other time. https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2018/
Resources are available for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2018. Material for 2018 was produced in the Caribbean and uses Exodus 15, a song of triumph over oppression, as the motif of the Week of Prayer
RESOURCES TO DOWNLOAD …..
Intl-ENG-Final-Version-WeekOfPrayer2018
National Day of Prayer for Children
Friday, 13th October: National Day of Prayer for Children.
Countrywide but central celebration from the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow led by Bishop Denis Nulty.
Brilliant booklet of resources
- Let’s be Family Prayer Service
- Mass text for “Let’s be Family”
NDP 2017 (Booklet)
RE SOURCE 