Archbishop Eamon Martin and Bishop Michael Router invite you during February to take part in the consultation for the Universal Synod of the Church.  Your response, and the responses of various groups and organisations, across the archdiocese, will be very helpful and will contribute greatly to a listening process that is taking place around the world. To help you take part in the process the Synodal Core Group in the Archdiocese of Armagh has organized a virtual consultation that will broadcast twice a day 3pm and 8.30pm, Monday to Friday, from the 7^th February to the 25^th February on the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Webcam. The presentation lasts 45 minutes and it can be accessed through the Armagh Parish Website at www.armaghparish.net/cathedral-webcam, on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch/S3scX2xCX0Y or on the www.armaghprays.com

I recently emailed Rel Ed Heads regarding a possible approach with 6th Formers or members of Staff.

“I was asked if I had an angle on looking at the Holy Father’s plan to open up the way decisions and discernment happen in our Church.  At present, there is a process of consultation taking place.  It might be worth considering opening this to senior students and staff members. 

I hope this helps situate the process for you.
Declan”
Bishops announce initial submission phase of Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland
Bishops announce initial submission phase of Synodal Pathway for the Cat…Submissions can be made on www.catholicbishops.ie/synod

Utube    Welcome to the Synod of Synodality


Welcome to the Synod of SynodalitySynod on Synodality- All You Need to Know (through Sketches and images) || Rahai


Synod on Synodality- All You Need to Know (through Sketches and images) …

As we leave January behind us We see longer days and the first stirrings of buds and bulbs!

Spring Nothing is so beautiful as Spring – When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing; The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.   What is all this juice and all this joy? A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning In Eden garden. – Have, get, before it cloy, Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning, Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy, Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning. (‘Spring’, Gerard Manley Hopkins)

FEBRUARY 1st ST BRIGID’S FEAST DAY

Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated in schools across the island of Ireland from Sunday 23 January – Sunday 30 January. The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2022 is ‘Catholic Schools: Living Life to the Full’.

Primary National Resources Follow links from Doc attached.

Primary School Resources 

CSW2022 Primary Flyer
CSW2022 Primary Flyer Irish

Primary Junior and Senior CSW2022
Primary Junior and Senior CSW2022 Irish
First and Second Class CSW2022
First and Second Class CSW2022 Irish
Third and Fourth Class CSW2022
Third and Fourth Class CSW2022 Irish
Fifth and Sixth Class CSW2022
Fifth and Sixth Class CSW2022 Irish

Post-Primary School National Resources 2022

CSW2022 Post Primary Flyer
CSW2022 Post Primary Flyer Irish

Daily Themes and Resources

Monday: Living Life to the Full With God
Monday Resource Post Primary CSW2022
CSW2022 Monday PowerPoint
Monday Resource Post Primary CSW2022 Irish
Monday Powerpoint CSW 2022 Irish

Tuesday: Living Life to the Full Together 
Tuesday Resource Post Primary CSW2022
CSW2022 Tuesday PowerPoint
Tuesday Resource Post Primary CSW2022 Irish
Tuesday PowerPoint CSW2022 Irish

Wednesday (Grandparents’ Day): Celebrating Being Together Again
Wednesday Resource Post Primary CSw2022
CSW2022 Wednesday PowerPointpptx
Wednesday Resource Post Primary CSW2022 Irish
Wednesday PowerPoint CSW2022 Irish

Thursday: Living Life in Wonder and Awe
Thursday Resource Post Primary CSW2022
CSW2022 Thursday PowerPoint
Thursday Resource Post Primary CSW2022 Irish
Thursday PowerPoint CSW2022 Irish

Friday: Living Life and Facing the Future
Friday Resource Post Primary CSW2022
CSW2022 Friday PowerPoint
Friday Resource CSW2022 Irish
Friday PowerPoint CSW2022 Irish

Social Media 

Share what’s happening in your school on social media using the hashtag #CSW2022

DIOCESAN RESOURCES

ASSEMBLY for schools in the Archdiocese of Armagh and the Diocese of Dromore.

We have recorded an 18 minute long Assembly for schools to view and pray during CSW 2022.

Here is the link to ” wetransfer ” where you can download the file.https://we.tl/t-KMtPJ8V0rH

Text of the Assembly Catholic Schools Living Life to the Full.

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Archbishop Eamon has kindly recorded a personal message to Students and Staff.

We hope you might share this on school media. It would be lovely to show this message in class just before you view and pray the Assembly ” Catholic Schools – Living Life to the Full. “

In case you prefer to viw or download from Utube I have arranged to have this video hosted there to help you.

The link is https://youtu.be/_8TiC2a6D_g

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)

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.

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2022 is ‘Catholic Schools: Living Life to the Full’. As we look forward to and begin our preparations for celebrating CSW2022, it is important for each of us to remember those who have gone before us in the hope of the resurrection promised by Jesus.

Ahead of the celebration of CSW2022 a November Moment is offered to both Primary and Post Primary Schools. These resources aim to assist primary and post-primary schools with activities and lesson ideas for November – ‘The Month of the Holy Souls’, the month in which we remember the faithful departed.

More than most years, this November will be especially poignant as we remember all those who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic. In light of this, the Moment of November recalls to us God’s love for us, a love that conquers all things, even death. The November Moment also encourages us to examine the role that remembrance has played and continues to play for us as we journey through the Covid-19 pandemic.

To download this year’s Resources for Primary and Post-Primary Schools click here 

These resources aim to assist post-primary schools with activities and lesson ideas for November – ‘The Month of the Holy Souls’, the month in which we remember the faithful departed.

The Moment of November Resource:

I wanted to draw to your attention a new website with free downloadable resources for Religious Education.  It’s called ‘Missio Ireland’ and aims to promote awareness of the work of missionaries overseas and in particular ‘World Mission Sunday’ which is on the 24th October this year.  The address is: https://missio.ie/I’ve attached some of the resources that it offers relating to October as Mission Month and World Mission Sunday.  This includes a poster, a Booklet with lovely reflections for each day of October, a Mission toolkit, and a Children’s Resource with a useful Activity Calendar.  I would encourage you to explore the website and the amazing and uplifting stories that are there that really bring home the importance of the work of missionaries.  They have a section just for schools. The daily reflections/prayer service could be used in an assembly or during class for prayer time. If any of your schools has an overseas project in place already, they could use photographs or videos of this to highlight the work of student/staff volunteers overseas and perhaps do a special assembly/display during the month of October. 

This year’s Day for Life will be celebrated in Ireland on Sunday 3 October. In the context of the recent proposal to introduce assisted suicide, both in Ireland and the UK, this year’s Day for Life message invites Catholics to consider a more positive and compassionate response to the care of people who are in the final stages of life.

Resources in support of the theme attached as follows:

• The text of this year’s message in plain text
• The text of the pastoral message in PDF format for printing
• A set of prayers of intercession
• Two web and social media images we are using to promote this year’s day and theme
• Three visuals of pull quotes from the pastoral message
• Parish newsletter notices  

Additional resources are available to download from www.catholicbishops.ie and www.councilforlife.ie. An article on this year’s Day for Life also appears in the current issue of Interom Magazine

The Crocus Project is an annual initiative of the Holocaust Education Trust Ireland to commemorate the victims of Nazi persecution in World War II.  The Crocus project is confined to one group per school, and takes a few classes concerning the persecution of the Jews in the Second World War.  Participants sow bulbs in the school garden/ lawn in the shape of the Star of David.  The application form, for delivery of the bulbs in October is available at:  https://hetireland.org/programmes/crocus-project/