‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

Numerous young people prepared to receive the sacrament of Confirmation during these weeks and months. However, because of restrictions put in place due to Covid-19, the celebration of the sacrament was temporarily postponed. Naturally, this is a great source of disappointment for the young people, their families, friends and all associated with the conferring and celebration of the sacrament. These young people in partnership with their parents/guardian, families, priests and teachers worked diligently for this great event of the coming of the Holy Spirit with the sevenfold gift.

This preparation is ongoing from the time that the young person received Baptism. In Baptism, the first sacrament of initiation, a person becomes a member of God’s family and receives the Holy Spirit and the gift of faith. Confirmation is the second sacrament of initiation which by a ritual enables a baptised person to confirm the baptismal promises made on their behalf at baptism. Confirmation signifies the strengthening of a person’s faith enriching it with the sevenfold gift which helps bear fruits of love in daily life.

In the Gospel proclaimed at Mass today (Jn 14:21-26), which can be heard on the webcam or read in the New Testament, tells of the coming of the Holy Spirit. We hear that the Holy Spirit is the Helper who will be sent by the Father in the name of Jesus. He will teach the disciples all things and remind them of that Jesus has told them. (Jn 14: 26).

What a blessing to have the Holy Spirit as a helper! The Holy Spirit is also a teacher. The Gospel tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of all Jesus has taught us. That is why it is important to pray to the Holy Spirit.

Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation, Christus Vivit, encourages young people when he invites them, ‘to ask the Holy Spirit each day to help you experience anew the great message….the Holy Spirit can change your life, fill it with light and lead it along a better path….the Holy Spirit helps you find all that you need in the best possible way… let yourself be prompted by the Holy Spirit.’ (CV, no.131).

In these days of lockdown, perhaps young people and their families might continue to prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation by praying to the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit is a helper they might ask the Holy Spirit to remind the people of the world to pray for an end to the pandemic. By way of preparation, they might also continue to do acts of love at home and be patient and kind.

The Fifty days of Easter concludes with the celebration of Pentecost Sunday. This year the Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday on 30 May 2020. At Pentecost, ‘the Church was made manifest to the world, by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.’ (CCC, 1076).

THE GROW IN LOVE PROGRAMME AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

From Junior Infants/P1 of the Grow in Love Religious Education programme, the children are taught about the Holy Spirit.

From the Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland (2015), Level 1, the children engage with the following concepts in learning about the Holy Spirit; that Christians are baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; view the objects in the church such as holy water, holy water font and baptismal font; that when children are baptised they become members of the Church family; that at Baptism water is poured on the person’s head and the priest says, ‘….. I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’; that blessing oneself with holy water reminds a person of their Baptism.

From Junior Infants/P1 there is much to be learned about the Holy Spirit. What is taught at this class standard will be reinforced as children progress through the school.

In Junior Infants/P1, children are taught about Baptism and the pouring of holy water on the person’s head; they will describe the uses of holy water; they will bless themselves with holy water and they will pray. Some of the children in the class are baptised. Though they may not remember the experience, it may be recalled through chat with family or prompted by images taken on the day of Baptism.

At school in Junior Infants/P1, children hear stories about water and Baptism which are central to the experience of the sacrament. Children pray the Sign of the Cross and Glory be to the Father. They engage in the ritual of blessing themselves with holy water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. They are taught about the priest who blesses holy water. They can bless themselves with holy water by dipping their finger in the holy water font in the church or at home. On a visit to the church, the children may have seen the baptismal font. They will sing the song ‘Water’.

At home with their families/parents/guardian the children can chat about their Baptism. They might have photos of people who were at the celebration and shared a meal. The Grow in Love e-book for Junior Infants will be helpful for discussion, prayer and activity. This e-book and other resources are available on the VERITAS Grow in Love website.

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Resources on the dashboard of the website that may help in understanding Baptism include, a vimeo on ‘Enestina’, lyrics for songs ‘Quiet and Still’, and ‘Water’; a link to ‘Water Conservation for Kids’, and an interactive online activity on ‘Caring for Water’

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

SIGN OF THE CROSS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

COMHARTHA NA CROISE

In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Áiméan.

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER

Glory be to the Father,

And to the Son,

And to the Holy Spirit;

As it was in the beginning,

Is now, and ever shall be,

World without end. Amen.

GLÓIR DON ATHAIR

Glóir don Athair,

Agus don Mhac,

Agus don Spiorad Naomh,

Mar abhí ó thus,

Mar atá anois

Agus mar a bheas go brách,

Le saol na saol. Áiméan.

PRAYER TO THE TRINITY

Praise to the Father,

Praise to the Son,

Praise to the Spirit,

The Three in One.

PAIDIR DON TRÍONÓID NAOFA

Moladh do Athair,

Agus don Mhac,

Agus don Spiorad Naomh,

An Triúr ina aon.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.

Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.

Guide me.

Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.

Teach me.

PAIDIR CHUIG AN SPIORAD NAOMH

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dhéanamh.

Cabhraigh liom.

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireachtáil mar a mhair Íosa.

Treoraigh mé.

A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom

guí mar a ghuigh Íosa. Múin dom é.

‘Work not for the food that cannot last, but work for food that endures to eternal life, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, for the sake of your love and faithfulness.’ (Psalm 113B:1)

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

A number of people currently live and work in Ireland, and are now far from their homeland. Some are health care workers struggling on the frontline in hospitals, nursing homes and in private homes. Family life is difficult for them because they always live in fear of Covid-19. Quality of life deteriorates and families are challenged in such circumstances. These same families are worried about their own families ‘back home’. On coming to Ireland originally, they said goodbye to family and friends and promised to return. Please God they will return. Hope prevails.

The opening words of the Gospel (John 14:1-12) proclaimed at Mass today are, ‘Do not be troubled! Trust in God and trust in me! These words Jesus spoke to his apostles. He told them he would leave them and ‘go to prepare a place’ for them, but he would return again and he would ‘take’ them to him. He wanted them to know he would be always with them. Thomas claimed ‘we don’t know where you are going; how can we know the way?’ Philip asked Jesus ‘to show us the Father’. They were slow to believe in Jesus’ words.

Pope Francis spoke recently about the way ‘the Lord wants to comfort and console’ God’s people, by ‘drawing near to them’, by speaking ‘the truth gently without wounding’ and offering them ‘hope’. Pope Francis acknowledged that ‘it is not easy to allow ourselves be comforted by the Lord.’ Such was the situation for the apostles.

Jesus gently tries to tell the disciples that he remains near to them. He asked them, ‘Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?’ He urges them to believe in him because he is doing the works of the Father (Jn 14:11). Those who believe in Jesus will do the same works. Jesus promises that, ‘anything you ask in my name, I will do.’ (Jn 14:14). Disciples are invited to believe that Jesus is the way and to follow him. Jesus is always with them.

THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME AND FINDING THE WAY OF LOVE

The Grow in Love Religious Education programme explores Jesus’ desire to show the way of love to the disciples. Jesus wants to remain close to each one and wants them to believe in him. Believing in Jesus means believing in God and doing God’s work. He promises them the gift of eternal life.

Jesus was a witness to God’s love and surrendered to God’s will. In proclaiming the Good News, Jesus taught the apostles and the disciples about love, about being loved and about loving.

The children always begin contemplating God’s love by reflecting on the experience of love in their own lives among family, friends, parish and school. Gradually, they learn and experience God’s love in their daily lives. God created the world from love for love. God sent Jesus to proclaim the Good News of God’s love. On reading Sacred Scripture hearts and minds are opened through the Holy Spirit to the power of God’s love. In time, children learn how to love God and others. They make choices about love and live the consequences of the choices they make. In prayer, they learn to communicate with God.

In teaching the disciples about love, Jesus taught the new commandment, ‘And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples’ (Jn 13:34-35).

The disciples heard the Great Commandment, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbour as yourself.’

(Lk 10:27)

Jesus also taught them the Golden Rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ (Mt 7:12).

The way of Jesus is love. The Holy Spirit teaches children to pray and give thanks to God for the gifts they have. They learn to use these gifts to bring joy and gratitude to their lives and to others. Children witness to and reflect on role models in life who lead lives of holiness.

Children are taught the call of justice to look after those who are in need in our society and those who live in poverty because of war and famine in other countries. They engage in the work of Trócaire and the Society of Missionary Children, the mission where ‘children help children.’

Social justice is a very important part of GIL and children explore the values of justice, charity and mercy.

They also explore the letter from Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, On the Care of our Common Home’.

Resources on the theme of love and working for social justice are accessible on the VERITAS website. From the e-books and the Bible, the children read the Scripture passages about Jesus and about how he shared the Good News by loving, healing, teaching and forgiving.

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A Sample of resources that may help are: ‘A Vox Pop with Young Travellers’, a vimeo on ‘The Good Samaritan’, An Interactive Activity on ‘Human Rights’, ‘Climate Change Stories’, ‘Climate Justice Explained’, a vimeo on ‘Greta Thunberg, Climate Activist’, a slideshow on the ‘Rescue of Migrants’, a poster on ‘A map of Israel’, and a vimeo on ‘Working Together for Social Justice’.

SONGS related to the theme of love include: ‘Whatsoever You Do’, ‘God Has Given Us the Earth’, ‘The Summons’, ‘Love’ ‘They’ll Know We Are Christians By our Love’, ‘The Great Commandment’, ‘Where Your Treasure Is’, ‘Make A Good Choice’, ‘Whatsoever You Do’, ‘Use What You’re Given’. All are available as /lyrics video lyrics.

SING from the song ‘The Summons’

‘Will you come and follow me

if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t

know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown; will you let my

name be known;

Will you let my life be grown

in you and you in me…?’

PRAY with Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

PRAYER ON OPENING THE BIBLE

Bless me, O God, so that

in opening this Bible

I may open my mind and heart

to your Word.

May it nourish me

as it nourished Jesus. Amen.

PAIDIR AR AN MBÍOBLA A OSCAILT

Beannaigh mé, a Dhia, ionas

nuair a osclaím an Bíobla seo

go n-osclóidh mé m’intinn agus

mo chroí

do do Bhriathar.

Go gcothaí sé mé

faoi mar a chothaigh sé Íosa.

Áiméan.

PRAYER ON CLOSING THE BIBLE

Bless me, O God, so that

in closing this Bible

I may enclose your Word

in my heart and in my mind

as Jesus enclosed it in his. Amen.

PAIDIR AR AN MBÍOBLA A DHÚNADH

Beannaigh mé, a Dhia,

agus an Bíobla seo a dhúnadh agam

go gcoinneoidh mé do Bhriathar

i mo chroí agus i m’intinn

faoi mar a rinne Íosa.

Áiméan.

‘Whoever remains in me, and I in him, bears fruit in plenty, says the Lord, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon).

‘I give you a new commandment: love one another, as I have loved you, says the Lord, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘May your love be upon us O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.’ (Psalm 32:22)

Sr Anne Neylon

St Louise de Marillac, Patroness of Social Workers

‘The love of Jesus crucified urges us.’

It is delightful and challenging to read Pope Francis’ writings. In his recent Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Christus Vivit’ addressed to ‘Young People and to the Entire People of God (2019), the Pope writes with a very youthful heart, mind and disposition.

ABOUT POPE FRANCIS AND THE SYNOD, ‘YOUNG PEOPLE FAITH AND VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT’

Pope Francis wrote, ‘I have let myself be inspired by the wealth of reflections and conversations that emerged from last year’s Synod.’ This Synod, the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops took place in 2018, with its theme ‘Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment’. In this document, the Pope echoed ‘the myriad voices of believers who made their opinions known to the Synod’ and the young people who, were not believers ‘shared their thoughts’ and ‘raised issues ‘that led’ the Pope ‘to ask new questions’ (Christus Vivit).

The Pope focused on ‘Jesus, Ever Young’ in Sacred Scripture and continued to say to the readers ‘You, are the Now of God.’ This is powerful Good News. He praised the work of many young saints and encouraged the youth saying, ‘Through the holiness of the young, the Church can renew her spiritual ardour and her apostolic vigour.’ (no. 50). Young saints are introduced in this chapter of the Exhortation.

CHRISTIAN HEROES AND HEROINES IN THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Throughout the Grow in Love programme, a variety of saints’ lives are explored. In Grow in Love 8, Sixth Class, a new feature emerges, which briefly describes the life of A Christian hero/heroine. These heroes/heroines include recognised saints and people who lived their lives in holiness. The condensed accounts are accessible on the VERITAS Grow in Love website in the e-book for Sixth Class.

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The Church honours the saints, firstly, because each one loved God and loved other people in daily life. Secondly, saints are honoured because they are exemplars to imitate. Several saints became saints because their lives were influenced by the lives of the saints they read.

St Thérèse of Lisieux wrote, ‘I love to read the lives of the saints very much. The account of their heroic deeds inflames my courage and spurs me on to imitate them.’ (catholicism.org)

Today, 9 May, the Church honours St Louise de Marillac (1591-1660), co-foundress of the Daughters of Charity with St Vincent de Paul. She is one of the Christian heroines included in Grow in Love. The children read a brief account of the life of St Louise. Louise allowed Jesus to show her the way, (this lesson is entitled, ‘Jesus Shows Us the Way’). Jesus continues to shows his disciples the way. This is the way of love. Helpful resources on the dashboard of the Grow in Love website include, the songs ‘Use What You’re Given’, ‘Who Do You Say That I Am’? and a vimeo of ‘The Parable of the Three Servants’ (Mt 25:14-30).

ST LOUISE DE MARILLAC, PATRONESS OF SOCIAL WORKERS

St Louise de Marillac was born in Paris in 1591. Louise never knew her mother, which caused her sadness and suffering, but her Dad loved her. She attended school in the Dominican Abbey at Poissy, and received a very good education. Later, she went to live in a boarding house with other young girls. The mistress of the house was poor so Louise helped with daily housekeeping and encouraged the other girls in residence there, to engage in craftwork to assist in the upkeep of the boarding house. Louise was always willing to help those in need and she used her skills and talents to recruit the assistance of her colleagues.

These two characteristics of Louise- a willingness to help those in need and her skill in collaboration were instrumental, as well as her deep love for God, in her contribution to founding the Company of the Daughters of Charity.

Prior to her marriage, Louise desired to join the Capuchin nuns. She was refused on the grounds of ‘delicate health.’ On 5 February 1613, Louise married Antoine Le Gras and later they were blessed with the birth of their son Michel Antoine. They were happily married but Antoine got sick. He required constant nursing care and Louise devoted herself entirely to him. Antoine died in December 1625.

Louise struggled greatly for some years. She spent time at spiritual reading, prayer, writing and she took care of Michel and provided for him, until he could do so for himself. She reflected arduously on what God wanted her to do with her life. St Vincent de Paul was her spiritual director and over time, Louise ‘devoted herself to prayer and works of mercy among the poor.’ On Pentecost 1623, Louise in her prayer was enlightened by the Holy Spirit and was cleared of doubts which she experienced.

In 1629, Louise began her work in earnest with St Vincent de Paul and the Confraternities of Charity that were set up in parishes around Paris and in the country areas. She worked with the Ladies of Charity and helped them in their mission of corporal and spiritual works of mercy for the poor.

In 1633, St Louise de Marillac and St Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul to assist the Ladies of Charity in their work of alleviating poverty. Originally some of these girls were servants of the Ladies of Charity. Sometimes the Ladies, instead of visiting the sick and the poor in their homes sent their servants instead.

The Company of the Daughters of Charity began with some of these servants of the Ladies. Louise gathered a small number of women to live in community to serve the sick and poor people. Initially, like the mustard seed, numbers were small but increased with time.

St Vincent and St Louise were ‘two persons whose hearts and souls’ saw Jesus Christ in every person who was poor. The Sisters identified those who lived in poverty with Christ. This was the founding spirit and it still lives on today. The Sisters still strive to give themselves to God, to live in community and to serve those who live in poverty.

The first Sisters visited the sick poor in their homes and the young girls who lived in poor circumstances needed to be educated. Gradually, the Sisters extended the ministry to include hospital visits, galley slaves, the foundlings, the soldiers on the battlefields, those who suffered in war torn villages and those with mental health issues.

Throughout her life, St Louise prayed to the Holy Spirit for guidance and enlightenment. She was devoted to Mary, Mother of God. She encouraged the Daughters of Charity to imitate Mary’s virtues so that they could better love God in community and in their neighbour, especially those who lived on the margins of society. The motto of the Daughters of Charity is, ‘The Charity of Jesus crucified urges us.’

Today, by God’s grace, the ministry of the Daughters of Charity continues internationally and the Vincentian Family includes a wider collaborative membership, including the Daughters of Charity.

St Louise de Marillac is the patron saint of sick people, widows and orphans, and in 1960, Pope John XXIII, now St John XX 111 proclaimed her the Patroness of Social Workers.

SING from the video lyrics of the Grow in Love website: ‘Who Do You That Say I Am?’, ‘Go Tell Everyone’, ‘Whatsoever You Do’, ‘Use What You’re Given’, ‘They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love’, ‘Christ Be Our Light’, and ‘Where Your Treasure Is’.

PRAY with Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

SIGN OF THE CROSS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

COMHARTHA NA CROISE

In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Áiméan.

ACT OF FAITH

O my God, I believe in you

and in all that your holy Church teaches

because you have said it

and your Word is true.

You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God.

Lord, I believe; increase my faith. Amen.

ACT OF HOPE

O my God, I put my hope in you

because I am sure of your promises.

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and

grant us peace in our day,

as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour,

Jesus Christ, Amen.

ACT OF LOVE

O my God,

I love you with all my heart,

with all my soul, and with all my strength.

Lord, increase our love.

Help us to love one another. Amen.

‘All will recognise you as my followers when they see the love you have for one another, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

“I tell you most solemnly, what you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘He has not forgotten his love nor his faithfulness to Israel. The furthest ends of the earth all have seen God’s saving power.’ (Psalm 98:2)

‘We must have continually before our eyes our model, the exemplary life of Jesus Christ. We are called to imitate this life.’ (Louise de Marillac, Spiritual Writings, (L. 217, p.261).

St Louise de Marillac, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’(Invitatory antiphon)

What is in a name? A person’s name identifies him/her personally. A name is the most important word about a person. To call someone by her/his name is a way of recognising them. A person’s name is used with respect and dignity. The Lord called the prophet Isaiah and said, ‘I have called you by your name. You are mine’ (Is 43:1).

During the month of May, the Catholic Church honours Mary, Mother of God by showing devotion to her in many ways such as engaging in ritual, reading Sacred Scripture, expression in art form and through song and prayer.

Many prayers invoke Mary including the ‘Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary’. These invocations describe Mary as a loving, faithful Mother of all. Mary is ‘Our Mother of Perpetual Help’. We intercede through her by naming her as, ‘Holy Mary’, ‘Holy Mother of God’, Mother of Christ’, ‘Mother of Divine Grace’, Mother of Good Counsel’ and many others.

For example, by taking one title we can pray, ‘Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us.’

Mary is also given the title of Queen, for example, ‘Queen of Apostles,’ ‘Queen of Martyrs’, Queen of All Saints’, ‘Queen of the Most Holy Rosary’, ‘Queen of All Saints’, ‘Queen of Peace’

We can pray, by just taking one title, ‘Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.’

From the litany we also appreciate Mary’s virtues. Mary is admirable, prudent, merciful, faithful and just.

Mary is described by attractive images. For example, we invoke her by calling on her as, ‘Mirror of Justice’, ‘Cause of our Joy’, ‘Spiritual Vessel’, ‘Mystical Rose’, ‘Gate of Heaven’, ‘Morning Star’, ‘Health of the Sick’, ‘Refuge of Sinners’ and ‘Comforter of the Afflicted’. Mary is also the ‘Help of Christians’. Just to chat or reflect on any one of these images gives one a sense of Mary’s all embracing, inclusive love for God and every person.

THE GROW IN LOVE PROGRAMME

In addition to what the children have already been taught in junior classes, the Grow in Love programmes for Fifth Classes/P7 and Sixth Classes/P8, use two additional lessons to teach about Mary, Mother of God. The children reflected on Mary, Mother of God from Junior Infants/P1 in Sacred Scripture, song and prayer.

At these senior class standards in the Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland (2015) GIL is written to the Strands and Strand Units in Level Four.

It is hoped that the children will recognise in Mary’s life, that God graced Mary in a special way for her mission; that Mary accepted her role in God’s plan of salvation when she willingly became the Mother of God; that Mary was a woman of faith, obedience and wisdom; that Mary grew in faith and she devoted herself to the person and work of her Son; that Mary was totally preserved from the stain of original sin and she remained pure from all personal sin throughout her life (Immaculate Conception); Mary was taken up body and soul into heaven when her earthly life was finished (Assumption).

In addition, students will read passages from Sacred Scripture about Mary and they will pray in her honour. Building on prior knowledge, teachers will introduce the pupils in Fifth Class/P7 to the Polish Mary: the Black Madonna of Czestochowa.

In Sixth Classes/P8, GIL introduces the Mysteries of Light (the Luminous Mysteries). St John Paul 11 introduced these mysteries to help people meditate on significant moments in Jesus’ life.

It may be a good idea to do a Bible Search on each of the Mysteries of Light; The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, The Wedding Feast of Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, The Transfiguration of Our Lord, and The Institution of the Eucharist.

GIL 8, also introduces the icon of ‘Our Mother of Perpetual Help.’ The prayer ‘Hail Holy Queen’ is also taught.

Families together recall and identify Marian Shrines where people go on pilgrimage to honour Mary. They recognise stories associated with these places of apparition.

Children will be taught the origins and significance of the Black Madonna.

Using the Grow in Love programme, families are invited to grow in appreciation of the variety of images of Mary by artists over time. Through this they will grow in a deeper understanding of Mary and her faith.

The Rosary becomes a familiar prayer that is central to all Marian devotions internationally.

The image of ‘Mary Undoer of Knots’ was made known to the world by Pope Francis. He saw the image in Augsburg while he was studying in Germany and brought it back to Argentina. He then spread devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots. Families are reminded on looking at this image that Mary will help us undo the knots, or problems in our lives. This is now a very popular devotion.

Listening to these songs and watching the video lyrics might be helpful in fostering devotion to Mary, Mother of God: ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’ ,’When Creation Was Begun’, ‘Mary’, ‘Mary our Mother’ ‘Hail Mary’, ‘Regina Coeli’, ‘Magnificat’.

On the dashboard of the VERITAS website there is access to resources which will help families learn about Mary, the Mother of God. Resources for prayer are accessible in the Grow in Love e-books, especially for Fifth/ P7 and Sixth Classes.

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Resources include a slideshow on the images of Mary, a slideshow and an online interactive activity on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary; prayer; video lyrics for ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’; a Multi lingual version of ‘Hail Mary’ and a Map of Marian Shrines.

There are a variety of journal activities, prayers and reading from Sacred Scripture to help pupils to pray, chat and grow in faith and love. Throughout the Liturgical Year in the various themes and lessons, students will come to understand and know that Mary is a role model for disciples. She is the first disciple.

Those who desire to imitate Mary’s attributes and virtues can ask her in prayer for that grace so as to grow more in love of God and others each day. Mary always leads us to Jesus as we grow in discipleship.

From GROW IN LOVE/ I NGRÁ DÉ

SIGN OF THE CROSS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

COMHARTHA NA CROISE

In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Áiméan.

HAIL HOLY QUEEN

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy.

Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope!

To thee do we cry,

poor banished children of Eve.

To thee do we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears!

Turn, then, O most gracious Advocate,

thine eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this, our exile,

show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary.

THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity (The Birth of Jesus)
4. The Presentation
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

The Mysteries of Light

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
2. The Wedding Feast of Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration of Our Lord
5. The Institution of the Eucharist

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning With Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
4. The Assumption of Mary
5. The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin as Queen of Heaven and Earth

‘I am going now to prepare a place for you, and I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you also may be, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘Before the mountains were formed, before you made the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity-you are God.’ (Psalm 88:2).

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’(Invitatory antiphon)

When Pope Francis visited Ireland for the World Meeting of Families in 2018, he spoke to the Irish people with the message of hope of God’s constant and personal love for all God’s people. God’s desire is that the hope and presence of God’s love will sustain and nourish peoples’ trust, faith and confidence during this time of pandemic and for eternal life.

The Marian Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo is a place of pilgrimage. It is the site of an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1879. St Joseph, St John the Evangelist, a lamb representing Jesus, the Lamb of God and the Cross, the angels and the altar were also visible at the apparition. Pilgrims travel there annually. Pope Francis once said that, ‘pilgrimage is a way of believers expressing their faith in God.’ Pilgrimages are integral to many world religions – Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Jews.

In the Apparition Chapel in the Marian Shrine, Knock, Co Mayo, Pope Francis through the intercession of Our Lady prayed for the families of the world and particularly for families in Ireland. He acknowledged that Mary our Mother knew ‘the joys and struggles’ within each family. He assured those listening of Mary’s love for them. He spoke confidently that Mary would bring these ‘joys and struggles’ to her Son.

Pope Francis gifted the people of Ireland with ‘a golden rosary’, in Knock, aware of the tradition of the family rosary in Ireland. Today, during this time of pandemic, the Pope urges us to pray the rosary, knowing that in times past, many people drew ‘comfort and strength’ from ‘Our Lady’s participation in the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of Christ’s life!’

Concluding his prayer, Pope Francis invited the people to pray the Angelus prayer.

In the Easter season, the prayer, ‘O Queen of Heaven’ is recited instead of The Angelus Prayer. This is in hymn form in the Grow in Love, Fourth Class /P6 programme (Theme 7, Lesson 3).

ABOUT PILGRIMAGE AND THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME

The Grow in Love programme for Third Classes/P5 and the Fourth Classes/P6 introduces children to the concept of Christian pilgrimage. Many children may have experienced going on a pilgrimage with their families. It may have been a pilgrimage to a local well, a Christian site associated with a saint, or the Marian Shrine, Knock or even further afield e.g. Lourdes.

A pilgrimage is a journey and it is different to a holiday though sometimes a pilgrimage and a holiday are combined. People go on pilgrimage to express their faith, to say thank you to God or to pray for a special intention. The Marian Shrines introduced in Grow in Love to these classes are located in Knock, Lourdes and Guadalupe.

Christians are pilgrim people. On a pilgrimage one leaves behind the sense of what’s familiar and walks the path with God and possibly seeks a new perspective, insight or outlook on life. In ancient times, pilgrims walked for hundreds of miles carrying little with them. In modern times, pilgrims still journey to sacred places but with modern amenities the journey may not as strenuous.

In the Scripture, children explore Abram’s journey (Gen 12:1), the journey of the Israelites (Book of Exodus) and Mary’s journey to visit Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth (Lk 1: 39-56). A pilgrimage is a journey.

Children learn to identify Lourdes as a place of pilgrimage and a place of healing. They hear the story of how Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette and how Our Lady became known as Our Lady of Lourdes. The lesson is taught in the context of ‘The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.’ Children pray for people who are sick and those who care for them. They also learn the Angelus prayer which honours the story of the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38), at which time Mary identified herself as servant of the Lord. They sing ‘The Bells of the Angelus’.

Children are also taught the story of the apparition of Our Lady at Knock and they discuss its relevance for their lives. They discuss journeys and the differences between a ‘tourist and a pilgrim’. They pray to ‘Our Lady of Knock’ and sing ‘When Creation was Begun’. They view the image of the mosaic in the Basilica of Our Lady of Knock and relate it to the story of the apparition. They discuss the place of the prayer during a pilgrimage.

The children hear the story of ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ and her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531.

Children continue to pray to Mary and allow her to lead them to her Son, Jesus. They also honour her as Mother of God and our Mother. They begin to read and sing ‘The Magnificat (Lk 1: 46-55), Mary’s great song of praise to God marvelling at the great things God has done for her. ‘The Regina Coeli’ replaces the Angelus prayer during the Easter season. This song expresses the joy of Mary being the mother of Jesus. We sing and pray Alleluia. The prayer ‘The Memorare’ is also introduced gently to the children where they grow in confidence that Mary is one in whom they can confide in prayer.

The children in these middle standards also learn the ‘Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary’. They revise the story of The Annunciation and the Scripture passages included in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

A number of resources are available on the VERITAS website to help teach the content of these lessons e.g. ‘The Story of Lourdes’, ‘The Story of ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’, a vimeo on ‘Pilgrims at Guadalupe’, ‘A virtual Tour of Lourdes’ a vimeo on ‘the Rite of The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick’, an icon of St Kevin and prayers used at a Prayer Service. The Grow in Love e-books are also accessible.

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Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

SONGS to sing at this time, ‘Mary’, ‘Mary our Mother’, ‘Magnificat’, ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’, ‘The Bells of the Angelus’, ‘Alleluia’ ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘When Creation Was Begun’ ‘A Celtic Blessing’. All are available as lyrics and video lyrics on the website.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

O, QUEEN OF HEAVEN (pray from Easter Sunday to Pentecost instead of the Angelus)

O Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia;

For He whom you were worthy to bear, Alleluia;

has risen as He said, Alleluia.

Pray for us to God, Alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.

Because our Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.

Let us pray.

O God, who by the Resurrection of Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,

didst deign to give joy to the world:

grant we beseech You, that through His Mother, the Virgin Mary,

we may obtain the joys of everlasting life.

Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

‘The disciple is not above his master; but the fully trained disciple will be like his master, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

I am the shepherd of the flock; I have come so that they may have life, and have it in all its fulness‘, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘I will sing forever, O Lord, of your love and proclaim your faithfulness from age to age.’ (Psalm 88:2)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Our Lady of Knock, pray for us.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

From the time of Pope Francis’ appointment as Pope, he shows a remarkable devotion to Our Lady. He wrote prayers in Mary’s honour, he intercedes through Mary and he regularly visits Marian Shrines. One of the highlights of Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland in August 2018 was the visit to the Marian Shrine, Knock, Co Mayo.

Pope Francis wrote a letter to the people of the world on 25-4-2020. He encouraged them to pray the Rosary at home during the month of May. Furthermore, he gave pointers as to how people might to do this, always using an invitational tone. He suggests that this be done in a simple way and he encourages the use of ‘good models of prayers’ on the internet.

Additionally, the Pope gave two prayers to say each day with the Rosary to pray for an end to the pandemic. If and when we choose to pray the Rosary, the Pope promises, ‘I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you.’ (Pope Francis, 25-4-2020). To conclude the letter, Pope Francis sent a blessing and asked us please, to pray for him.

THE ROSARY AND THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME

There are many children and families who know how to pray the Rosary, but there are some who may not. The Grow in Love programme for First Classes/P3 and Second Classes/P4, introduces the Rosary to the children and their families. These lessons in the two class standards are taught as Seasonal Lessons in the month of October. This month in the Catholic Church is dedicated, as is the month of May to praying the Rosary. In addition, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary annually on the 7 October. Besides these Seasonal lessons, the children are taught about Mary, Mother of God at other stages of the Liturgical Year i.e. Advent, Christmas, Easter and Feast days.

It is hoped that with the foundation built in Grow in Love Junior Infants/P1 and Senior Infants/P2 that, children and their families will come to see that the Church is a community of people; that Mary loves and cares for us; that Mary is a model for all Christians.

During these two years in First Class/P3 and Second Class/P4, the children will be taught the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Additional Mysteries of the Rosary will be introduced in middle and senior standards. In all the children are taught, they are accompanied by their families and by their parish. The school supports the home and the parish.

The Rosary is an ancient prayer in the Catholic Church. As people pray the Rosary, Mary accompanies them in the life events of Jesus. To pray the Joyful Mysteries, we recall five events in Jesus’ life; the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, the Nativity (the birth of Jesus), the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.

These five stories are found in St Luke’s Gospel and families might do a Bible Search to find them.

To pray a decade of the Rosary, we say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and one Glory be to the Father. When children use the Rosary beads to pray a decade of the Rosary their finger/thumb co-ordination develops. The Rosary is also a meditative prayer and with each mystery of the Joyful Mysteries, one can reflect on an event in the life of Jesus.

So, in learning the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, it is hoped that children will identify the joyful moments in Jesus’ life. Children can name the Joyful Mysteries and explain how to pray a decade of the Rosary and how to use Rosary beads. They can participate in saying a decade of the Rosary with family or friends. Through regular praying of the Rosary the children will grow in appreciation of prayer and the life of Jesus.

The e-books for all classes are available on the VERITAS Grow in Love website.

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Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

The Grow in Love e-books for GIL First Classes/ P3 and Second Classes/P4 provide helpful child friendly resources for learning how to pray the Rosary. The prayers required i.e., The Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father may be accessed at the back of the Grow in Love e-book.

The Grow in Love dashboard on the VERITAS website provides the following resources for GIL First Class/P3 and Second Class/P4; vimeo of ‘The Presentation in the Temple’, slideshow of Jesus’ life, vimeo of children praying the ‘Hail Mary’ using gestures, vimeo of the Joyful Mysteries’, lyrics of ‘Grow in Love’, ‘Quiet and Still’ and ‘Mary Our Mother’, Colouring page of the ‘Rosary’ and ‘the Visitation’ and also an Art Activity and reflective music.

SONGS to sing from Grow in Love during the month of May: ‘Mary our Mother’, ‘Quiet and Still’, ‘Mary’, ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’, ‘The Magnificat’, ‘Regina Coeli’. All these are available on the VERITAS website.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

SIGN OF THE CROSS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

COMHARTHA NA CROISE

In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Áiméan.

OUR FATHER

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass

against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. Amen

AN PHAIDIR

Ár nAthair ata ar neamh,

go naofar d-ainm,

go dtaga do ríocht, go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh

mar a dhéantar ar neamh.

Ár naran laethúil tabhair dúinn inniu,

agus maith dúinn ár bhfaicha,

mar a mhaithimindne dár bhféachúna

féin,

is ná lig sinn i gcathú,

ach saor sinn ó olc. Áiméan.

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

‘S É DO BHEATHA, A MHUIRE

‘S é do bheatha a Mhuire,

atá lán do ghrásta,

tá an Tiarna leat.

Is beannaithe thú idir mhná,

agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne,

Íosa.

A Naomh Mhuire,

a mháthair Dé,

guigh orainn, na peacaigh,

anois agus ar uair ár mbáis. Áiméan.

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER

Glory be to the Father,

and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning,

is now and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen

GLÓIR DON ATHAIR

Glóir do Athair,

agus don Mhac

agus don Spiorad Naomh,

mar abhí ó thús,

mar atá anois,

mar a bheas go brách,

le saol na saol.

Áiméan.

‘I, the Light, have come into the world, so that whoever believes in me will stay in the darkness no more, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘May the peoples praise you, O God, may all the peoples praise you.’ (Psalm 66:4).

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

In the month of May, the earth bursts into bloom and during this Covid-19 lockdown time, people make use of added time to work in the garden, being adventurous to plant vegetables, shrubs and flowers.

May is also the month the Catholic Church for centuries has set aside to honour Mary, Mother of God. There are a variety of ways in which people honour Mary, God’s Mother in homes, parishes and school.

Some people choose to recite the Rosary during this month and some display a May altar in their homes. This might include a statue or an image of Mary. Usually the altar is decorated with seasonal blossoms and May flowers. Remembering Mary, Mother of God at home fosters a spirit of prayer. An environment of prayer is an incentive to pray.

To give Mary a special place in our homes is significant, not just because it is a long standing tradition in the Church but because Mary is Mother of God and our Mother. Mary is everyone’s Mother and she intercedes for us daily with her Son, Jesus. Mary leads us to Jesus.

It was because of Mary’s ‘yes’ to God that Jesus came into the world. Mary was disturbed at the message of the Angel Gabriel, sent by God (Lk 1:26-38) but she trusted God and the power of the Holy Spirit and declared herself as the servant of the Lord. We honour this great act of faith and love when we pray the ‘Angelus Prayer’.

This month of May 2020, Pope Francis invites people to pray the Rosary to end the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, he invites people to pray two additional prayers for this intention daily. The prayer includes, ‘We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God; do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.’

ABOUT MARY AND ‘GROW IN LOVE’

Mary, Mother of God is central in the Grow in Love programme from Junior Infants/P1 to Sixth Class/P8 that is, through the four levels of the ‘Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland’ (2015).

Children have a fondness for Mary and can in faith willingly build a relationship with her. This relationship is fostered and nourished through prayer and devotion to her during the month of May in each of the class standards. As pupils move from one class standard to the next, they build on what has already been taught in the earlier stages in their growth in faith.With God’s grace, they draw closer to Mary.

At Level 1, which encompasses Junior Infants/P1 and Senior Infants/P2, the children are taught in a Seasonal lesson from the Grow in Love programme, that God chose Mary to be the Mother of God. They identify Mary as Mother of Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem at Christmas and grew up in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph. They are also taught that Mary is God’s Mother and Our Mother. As always, children reflect on their own experience of life in relation to those who love them and care for them.

It is then they identify May as a special month in which to remember Mary and there are many suggested ways to do this. As they grow in faith and love of Mary, they recognise that Mary, Mother of God is someone in whom they can confide. In Junior Infants/P1 the children are taught the prayer, ‘Hail Mary’/ ‘Sé do bheatha a Mhuire’. This prayer is one of the formal daily prayers people pray each day to honour Mary. When we pray, the ‘Hail Mary’, we ask Mary to pray for us also. We say, ‘Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.’

There are many opportunities for chatting, prayer and art work, including making paper flowers for a May altar. Children engage in a prayer service based on ‘The Annunciation’ (Luke 1:26-38).The children begin to sing, ‘When Creation Was Begun’ a familiar hymn used in parish liturgies.

A prayer space at home might include a blue/ white cloth, image or statue of Mary, Rosary beads or any other items that might be appropriate.

In addition to the Seasonal lesson taught, children meet Mary in the Grow in Love programme during other times of the Liturgical Year e.g. Advent, Christmas and Easter. They hear stories about Mary read in the Sacred Scripture.

SONGS from the Grow in Love programme that children might sing during the month of May include: ‘When Creation Was Begun’, ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, ‘The Bells of the Angelus’, ‘Magnificat’ ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’,’Mary’ ‘Regina Coeli’- available as video lyrics/ lyrics on the VERITAS website:

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Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

On the website dashboard, one can access the e-books for all class standards; and in relation to Junior Infants/P1, and Senior Infants/P2, the following are available: an image of Mary and Jesus, a poster of Mary, quiet reflective music, lyrics for songs, ‘Quiet and Still’ and ‘When Creation Was Begun’; a colouring page to download and an image of a May prayer space and a slideshow of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

‘S É DO BHEATHA, A MHUIRE

‘S é do bheatha a Mhuire,

atá lán do ghrásta,

tá an Tiarna leat.

Is beannaithe thú idir mhná,

agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne,

Íosa.

A Naomh Mhuire,

a mháthair De,

guigh orainn, na peacaigh,

anois agus ar uair ár mbáis. Áiméan.

From the song, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’

‘Bring flowers of the rarest,

bring blossoms the fairest,

from garden and woodland

and hillside and dale.

Our full hearts are swelling,

our glad voices telling

the praise of the

lower of the vale.

Chorus:

O Mary we crown thee with

blossoms today,

Queen of the Angels and

Queen of the May.’

‘The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon).

‘I know my sheep and they follow me. I give them eternal life, alleluia.’(Magnificat antiphon)

‘Praise the Lord, all you nations; all you people praise him.’ (Psalm 116:1)

Bl. Edmund Rice, (1762-1844), Pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord is truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

A good shepherd cares for his sheep. He feeds them and gives them water to drink. The shepherd protects them and is attentive to all their needs. With his staff, he defends them from any obstruction or attack. The shepherd waits around while they graze and watches them lovingly as one sheep follows another. He knows each one and probably calls each by name. When a sheep strays or loses its way he rescues it and brings it safely back in his arms to the sheep fold. Because the shepherd spends a long time with his sheep they trust their shepherd and they recognise his voice. Sometimes a shepherd might prefer to do something else rather than take care of his sheep, but he chooses to stay with them.  A shepherdess would care in the same way!

What a lovely and appropriate image for Jesus- The Good Shepherd! Jesus grew up among shepherds and sheep so he knew their life and customs. Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd. He said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd’.

God is the Good Shepherd, though there is only One shepherd. Jesus is One with the Father, though distinct from the Father. The Father and Son are equal. Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him. That is why there is only One shepherd-The Good Shepherd.

Today the priest proclaims the ‘Parable of the Good Shepherd’ (Jn 10:11-18) at Mass which can be heard on the webcam or personally read in the New Testament. Children are familiar with this parable from the Grow in Love programme (Luke 15:2-7).

“ALL OR NOTHING”

An excellent film, available on YouTube that illustrates what one good shepherd might look like in the world today is “All or Nothing”. The film describes the life of an Irish nun, Sister Clare Crockett from Brandywell Co. Derry who was killed in an earthquake in 2016 in Ecuador. She was 33 years of age. Sister Clare was a well-loved, gifted and popular young woman who responded to God’s call and invitation to enter the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother in 2001, at eighteen years of age.

With her guitar in hand, a great deal of energy and a remarkable love and appreciation for God, she lived her vocation to the full. She had “a special gift to reach the souls of children and young people” and she spent much of her time in the company of young people and her Sisters, working in schools and organising youth camps. Young people loved her and many of them are interviewed in the film sharing her wonderful witness and joy. This film is inspirational and inspires hope in young and not so young. Sister Clare was described as an “all or nothing” person and worked wholeheartedly for God and the mission. Life wasn’t a bed of roses for Sister Clare but she trusted in Jesus Christ who was the love of her life.

Though the film is not included in the Grow in Love programme, children would like to see the joy, friendship, energy and zeal  Sister Clare had for people. Young people already have discovered a great role model in her. Her love for God and her spirit of joy lives on in her family, her community, her friends and the youth who knew her.  There are clips of Sister Clare preparing children to receive Holy Communion and the sacrament of Reconciliation. She also worked with candidates who were discerning their call to religious life.  She loved to shepherd the youth and encourage them to hear God’s call and invitation to love and trust.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD IN THE GROW IN LOVE PROGRAMME

Both ‘The Parable of the Lost Sheep’, (Luke 15:2-7), and Psalm 23 are explored throughout the Grow in Love Programme from GIL First Class/P3. This Parable and Psalm 23 in the Sacred Scripture are central to the preparation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Chatting experiences help children to identify the ‘shepherds’, people who lovingly care for them in their day to day life.  It is hoped that children will consider the meaning of the parable in the context of their own lives. They will identify God as the shepherd who will always seek out those who are lost. They will empathise with the feeling of the shepherd who loses the sheep, and the sheep who has strayed. Reflecting on the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep they are invited to see and understand that as the Good Shepherd seeks out the lost sheep. God seeks out God’s people with love, compassion and mercy so each is invited to return to God. In turn, children will grow in these loving values through prayer and reflection.

With regular reading of the parables introduced in the Grow in Love programme, the children will identify the Kingdom of God in the reality of the world. They will recognise these parables in Sacred Scripture and hear them proclaimed during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass.

When studying the Books of the Bible the Psalms are introduced in Grow in Love. Psalms are prayers which people prayed to God in ancient times. Psalms of thanks, sorrow, praise and psalms in time of need are included in the Grow in Love e-books. The psalms use images and words to describe God, e.g. shepherd, rock, shield. Psalm 23 is a lovely prayer for children in helping them to know and trust God.

As the children reflect and listen to the proclamation of the Word of God they deepen their relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Children are encouraged to write and pray their personal psalms.

A variety of attractive vimeos, online resources and art and craft activities on the theme of the Good Shepherd and Shepherding, can be accessed on the dashboard of the VERITAS website.

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Emai: trial@growinlove.ie

Passsword: growinlove

Today might be a good day to sing songs  which can be accessed on the website that are related to God’s care, love and protection; “ The Lord he is my Shepherd’, ‘Quiet and Still’,’ Grow in Love’ ‘Circle of Friends’, ‘Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks’, ‘The Bible Rap’, ‘Sing Praise’(Psalm 148), ‘I Am Sorry God’.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

ACT OF SORROW

O my God, I thank you for loving me.

I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving

others and not loving you.

Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen.

GNíOMH DÓLÁIS

A Dhia, gabhaim buíochas leat as ucht do ghrá dom.

Ta brón orm faoi mo pheacaí uile:

Nach raibh grá agam duitse ná do dhaoine eile.

Cabhraigh liom mo shaol a chaitheamh

ar nós Íosa agus gan peaca a dhéanamh arís.

Áiméan.

PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

O my God, help me to remember the times when I didn’t live

as Jesus asked me to.

Help me to be sorry and try again. Amen.

PAIDIR AG IARRAIDH MAITHIÚNAIS

A Dhia, ár nAthair, cabhraigh liom

cuimhneamh ar na huaireanta

nár mhair mé mar a d’iarr Íosa orm.

Cabhraigh liom brón a bheith orm

agus iarracht eile a dhéanamh. Áiméan.

PRAYER AFTER FORGIVENESS

O my God, thank you for forgiving me.

Help me to love others.

Help me to live as Jesus asked me to.

Amen.

PAIDIR TARÉIS MAITHIÚNAIS

A Dhia, ár nAthair, go raibh maith agat

faoi mhaithiúnas a thabhairt dom.

Cabhraigh liom grá a thabhairt

do dhaoine eile.

Cabhraigh liom maireachtáil mar a

d’iarr Íosa orm.

Áiméan.

‘I am the good shepherd; I feed my sheep and I lay down my life for them, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘I have these sheep that are not of this fold and these I must also lead. They too will listen to my voice and there will be only one flock and one shepherd.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘My soul thirsts for God, for the loving God. Where shall I go and see the face of God?’ (Psalm 42:3)

St Conleth, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon

DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

People set aside days annually to remember special events such as wedding anniversaries, anniversaries of death, birthdays and other important personal / family moments. It is good to remember and recall. Lest we forget, it is important to highlight milestones and memories.

Today 4 May 2020 International World Dawn Chorus is marked. Unfortunately because of Covid-19 the programme won’t go ahead as planned. However, at this moment in time, the birdsong continues, giving a sense of calm and relaxation.

The Church arranges the Liturgical Year so the people of God can remember and celebrate Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension and associated events. This Sunday of the year is dedicated to pray for vocations. ‘Good Shepherd’ Sunday is an international day set aside for Catholics to pray and encourage vocations from families and parishes to the priesthood and religious life. Pope Francis wrote a letter ahead of this day for the 57th World day of Prayer for Vocations, which can be accessed on the Vatican website.

At 11.00 a.m. today, RTE 1 television will broadcast Mass in honour of this intention. All God’s people are invited “to join with Pope Francis in asking the Church to continue to promote vocations. The Holy Father asks us to find courage to say ‘yes’ to God, to overcome all weariness through faith in Christ.” (Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI))

ABOUT GROW IN LOVE AND VOCATION

In the Grow in Love Religious Education programme, children are encouraged to tune their ear to the calls in their lives. They hear their parents/guardians, grandparents, friends, teachers and neighbours calling them on a daily basis. They can respond to the call or ignore the call. Saying ‘yes’ to a call requires a spirit of discernment, availability and generosity e.g. a parent who asks  his/her child for help with housework, shopping, gardening or caring for a sibling. Sometimes the familiar response is, ‘hang on. I’ll do it when I’m ready…or when this film is over…or when I’m finished on my phone’ etc… It is an appropriate day to highlight God’s gift of creation in the 2020 International World Dawn Chorus.

The Grow in Love programme, in themes and lessons provides opportunities to view resources on the theme of ‘Christian vocation’, accessible on the VERITAS website:

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In Sacred Scripture, children explore God’s call and invitation to Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Samuel and others in the Old Testament. In the New Testament they read of the call of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the apostles and disciples. They said ‘yes’ to God’s call. Through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit these people recognised that God loved, chose, invited and sent each one to do a special task. In everything God invited the person to do, God promised the grace to help. God fulfilled this promise in moments of joy and sorrow. Those God called, learned to be patient and to trust in God. Psalm 139 (GIL), reflects God’s personal love for and intimate knowledge of each person. Through the generations, in God’s own way, God called and invited the saints and many holy people who responded with their best efforts.

God continues to call the faithful. The children hear of how may Christian people lived out their lives carrying on the work of Jesus; individuals who said ‘yes’ to God’s invitation, because each person loved God and wanted to reach out in love, especially to those who lived on the margins. Such people desired to share God’s love in many different ways. The Holy Spirit prompted them in particular ways according to their gifts and abilities.

The lives of a number of saints are introduced in the Grow in Love in Grow in Love. Christian heroes and heroines are included in Sixth Class/P8. These lives are accessed in the e-book for Sixth Class/P 8 on the VERITAS website.

Children identify Baptism as the primary source of Christian vocation. God continues to call and invite men and women to love and serve God’s people today. God sent Jesus to witness and to teach his disciples about love.  By his words and actions Jesus showed the disciples how to live the commandments of love and the ‘Beatitudes’. Jesus asks us, his disciples to live by these attitudes of love in loving God and serving others. Mary, Mother of God was the first disciple. She too prays for the disciples and accompanies them.

Children are taught to explore the ‘Christian vocation’ as God’s personal call and invitation to live in a particular way. They recognise that God always gives a choice of response. God offers each one the gift of freedom. It is through prayer and silence that children listen for the voice of God, inviting them to live a life of love. Over time, the children grow in readiness to answer God’s call. They are taught that Christians are called to work for Social Justice today.

Opportunities for reflection, chatting, slideshows, Sacred Scripture, journal activities, online activities, vimeos, role play, and poetry – all help children to explore God’s call. Children also learn by example and they read the lives of Venerable Nano Nagle, foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation, Willie Bermingham, founder of ALONE, and many others who led lives of holiness.

Children throughout the programme are invited to explore their parish community and the diocese to which they belong. They are taught about the ministry of the Bishop and the priest/s in the diocese and how each one is called by God through the Sacrament of Holy Orders to love God and serve and shepherd God’s people.

Children learn to understand that they too with their families are called to be actively participative in their local parish by using their gifts and talents. The invitation is for everyone.

SONGS related to the theme of vocation include, ‘The Summons’, ‘The Lord He is my Shepherd’ ‘Who Do You Say That I Am?’ ‘They’ll Know We Are Christians By our Love’, ‘Tar Anuas, A Spioraid Naoimh’, ‘Where Your Treasure Is’, ‘Make A Good Choice’, ‘Whatsoever You Do’, ‘Use What You’re Given’. All available as /lyrics video lyrics

SING from the song ‘The Summons’

‘Will you come and follow me

if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t

know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown; will you let my

name be known;

Will you let my life be grown

in you and you in me…?’

From the song ‘Without Seeing You’

‘The sparrow will find a home,

near to you O God;

How happy we who dwell

with you,

forever in your house…’

PRAY with Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

Prayers to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.

Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.

Guide me.

Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.

Teach me.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.

Enkindle in us the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and we shall be

created.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who has taught the hearts

Of the faithful

By the light of the Holy Spirit,

Grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise

And ever to rejoice in his consolation,

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Paidir chuig an Spiorad Naomh

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dhéanamh.

Cabhraigh liom.

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireachtáil mar a mhair Íosa.

Treoraigh mé.

A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom

guí mar a ghuigh Íosa. Múin dom é.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

And blessed  is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

‘I am the shepherd of the flock; I am the way, the truth and the life; I am the good shepherd; I know my own and mine know me.’ (Benedictus antiphon).

‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; and I, the Lord know them, alleluia.’ (Magnificat antiphon)

‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’ (Psalm 23:1)

Sr Anne Neylon

‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’(Invitatory antiphon)

It is estimated on google that on average, the human person makes 35,000 choices per day. During this Covid-19 time, restrictions limit choice. Therefore, personal freedom is curtailed. Such a time of change brings hardship, disturbance and anxiety to people facing unemployment and close of businesses. However, people haven’t lost the ability to make choices. It is essential to maintain a spirit of hope and faith on a day to day basis.

The priest concludes chapter six of St John’s Gospel today at Mass which will be read via webcam. Alternatively, this Scripture can be read from the Bible (Jn 6:60-69). In the Scripture the disciples are offered a choice by Jesus-to follow him or not.

Jesus is teaching the Jews and they find what he is saying very difficult. Many of the followers said, “This language is very hard! Who can accept it?” Jesus told them why he came-so that later he would ascend to where he was before with his Father. Jesus came from God to share with us the life of God. He will bring those who believe back to God for eternal life. Meanwhile on earth, Jesus is present to those who believe and he gives himself to them in the Eucharist. Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of life’ (Jn 6:48). He promised, ‘The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day’ (Jn 6:54). We hear after that teaching of Jesus, many disciples went away and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the twelve, “Will you also go away?” Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus must have been smiling and happy when he heard Peter saying these words. Jesus didn’t coerce the disciples into following him. He left them a choice. They freely chose to follow him.

In the Grow in Love programme, children begin from an early age to recognise the choices they make and the consequences of the choices. In the middle and senior classes they are taught about choice and the formation of conscience. They learn in the context of the experiences of their lives by reflecting on choices taken. Reflection on Gospel stories helps children learn Gospel values. To make good choices, for their personal lives, their lives with others and the environment is key to help children become disciples of Jesus. The Holy Spirit guides disciples to make good choices. So prayer is an important part of a child’s daily timetable to keep them in tune with God’s will and working for the common good. They learn to choose that which is right and that which is not right or good for themselves or others. The Eucharist helps the disciples to nourish their lives and to live, love and pray like Jesus. It is Jesus’ desire that disciples today will also say, ‘We now believe and know you are the Holy One of God.’ Prayer sustains faith in God.

Stories, poems and journal activities with the Grow in Love e-books are accessible to families to help them discern choices, available on VERITAS website.

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Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

Children slowly mature in their relationship with God, learning to trust, love and serve God and other people. In Fifth and Sixth Classes as young people prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. they see the Holy Spirit as guide, Advocate and Paraclete. They learn to pray the Examen, where they hear Jesus gently speaking to them, helping them to review their day. They take time to reflect on their feelings in a quiet atmosphere of trust and calm. They pray to the Holy Spirit in preparation to receive the sevenfold gift. These gifts help to bear the fruit of love in daily life.

Popular songs on video lyrics from the Grow in Love website help the children to learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives e.g. ‘ Make a Good Choice’, ‘Send Forth Your Spirit’, ‘Welcome Holy Spirit, Welcome’, ‘Spirit- Filled Day’, ‘Tar Anuas, a Spioraid Naoimh’, ‘Spirit Anthem’, ‘The Great Commandment’ ‘Trust in the Lord’ Psalm 37.

PRAY from Grow in Love/InGrá Dé

Act of Faith

O my God, I believe in you

and in all that your holy Church teaches

because you have said it

and your Word is true.

You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God.

Lord, I believe; increase my faith. Amen.

Act of Hope

O my God, I put my hope in you

because I am sure of your promises.

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and

grant us peace in our day,

as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour,

Jesus Christ, Amen.

Act of Love

O my God,

I love you with all my heart,

with all my soul, and with all my strength.

Lord, increase our love.

Help us to love one another. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.

Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.

Guide me.

Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.

Teach me.

Paidir chuig an Spiorad Naomh

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dhéanamh.

Cabhraigh liom.

A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireachtáil mar a mhair Íosa.

Treoraigh mé.

A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom

guí mar a ghuigh Íosa. Múin dom é.

from the song ‘ Welcome Holy Spirit, Welcome’

‘Holy Spirit help my judgement

to know how to do what’s right.

Welcome, Holy Spirit, here.

Help me day and night.

‘Simon Peter said, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Christ, the Son of God”, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘I am the door, says the Lord. Anyone who enters through me shall be safe and he will find a place of pasture, alleluia.’

(Magnificat antiphon)

‘How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?’ (Psalm 116:12)

St Athanasius, pray for us.

Sr Anne Neylon