Sixth Class - 11th - 15th of May

Take time for prayer.

This week you are invited to read the prayer provided below each morning. The prayer imaginatively and powerfully focuses on gratitude. Gratitude is something which holds unrivalled importance. Through being grateful we can truly recognise and register each person, thing or place we are fortunate enough to be somewhat connected to or with. Gratitude has no price but it certainly does have strength. It has the power to remind us of the positives, uplifting us in times of sadness, stimulating our happiness and grounding us in the present moment.

This week, pick one morning where you and a family member sit down together to watch an online mass offering. By setting a specific day and time you are ultimately taking initiative, responsibility and ownership of your schedule. Also, by viewing a mass offering with a family member you are nurturing your relationship with someone special to you, all the while connecting with your faith and possibly absorbing a key message the priest shares within the sermon.

https://www.churchservices.tv/ - Website Link.

Reflection work;

We are going to strongly continue with our reflective practice through facing another new set of questions. Again, much like before meet the questions with an open canvas, think mindfully and always be truthful in your approach and reasoning. Through continuing this reflective practice we are staying healthily connected to our faith but also growing and learning as people. So, here it goes, give these questions your utmost attention and enjoy;

1. Do you think churches have a special and safe quality within them? Could you say that you personally feel at peace when entering, sitting and praying within a church environment?

2. Would you like to visit a place which has religious history and subsequently learn something about a moment or period whereby your faith’s journey was influenced and shaped?

3. In moments of hardship, would you turn to the power of prayer as a comforting release of energy and a call for hope?

4. Do you have a prayer that you most favour? If you do, why does that prayer stand out? Is it the words, message, meaning or a combination of all of those aspects?

5. Can you recall a moment in your life whereby you were grateful for your faith? This could be during a special mass offering, anniversary mass or a gathering in school where a religious practice was being carried out.

Finally, as we always do, continue to pray for those who are sick, vulnerable, lonely, isolated, anxious, hungry, uncertain, upset, grieving, worried, bothered, distressed , troubled and so on. The following prayer, read with a slow calm, recognise and reflect upon the words. The prayer seeks to give strength to those on a quest to find themselves, feel approved and value their own individuality. Here is to a week of contentment, health and happiness.