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

Being despondent and disillusioned are very real feelings as the experience of the corona virus sweeps through our world. Yet in the midst of the death, loss, bereavement and grief, there are such great stories of hope. We continually hear and see the wonderful service and self-sacrifice offered by people who are working on the front line. We also see people reaching out to those who are hungry and those who lack life’s basic necessities. The element of surprise is felt with every new idea that is proposed and implemented to try to combat the pandemic. It is continually said, ‘I never thought “such and such” could be done in this new way. Every cloud has a silver lining.

This is exactly the pattern that today’s Gospel shows. The Scripture is ‘On the Road to Emmaus’ (Luke 24:13-35). The disciples were despondent and disillusioned because their friend Jesus was crucified. In the height of their pain and loss, Jesus walked with them on the way. They didn’t recognise him initially. Then the disciples began to lift their hearts as Jesus spoke to them. They asked him to stay with them. Jesus shared a meal with them and they recognised the Risen Jesus in the breaking of the bread. What a hope this story offers at this time to those who follow Jesus!

This Gospel story is very significant as a celebration of the Risen Lord in the Eucharist.

The priest reads this Gospel (Luke 24:13-35) today at Mass. It is possible to tune in to the webcam in the parish or to watch a televised Mass or to read this story in the New Testament.

The story is introduced in the Grow in Love 7, Fifth Class/P7 programme therefore, ‘On the Road to Emmaus’ can be read from the Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé, Fifth Class/P7, Children’s Book or e-book. The e-book can be accessed on the VERITAS website:

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There are many interactive resources accessible for different class levels related to this Gospel story on the website. Journal activities, exercises and also colouring sheets are available.

Exploring ‘On The Road To Emmaus’ in the Grow in Love, prompts children to reflect on special meals they share. Then they reflect on occasions Jesus shared meals with friends including the Last Supper. They are taught that the Risen Jesus is present at Mass. The key words introduced are ‘Eucharist’, which means thanksgiving and it is also another word for the Mass; ‘Consecration’ – that part of the Mass where the bread and wine are transformed (transubstantiation) into the Body and Blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. They are also taught that Christ is truly present and continues to be present in the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle. It is hoped that the children will grow in awareness of the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and that the Eucharist will nourish them in their life as disciples.

Today’s disciples are assured of Jesus walking with them on their path. Sometimes they may not recognise his presence but all Jesus asks is, that one is opened to awakening. We pray to the Holy Spirit for that awakening: ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Mt 22:37).

PRAY with Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé

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.

Prayer before Holy Communion

Lord Jesus, come to me.

Lord Jesus, give me your love.

Lord Jesus, come to me and give me yourself.

Lord Jesus, friend of children, come to me.

Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Paidir roimh Chomaoineach

A Thiarna Íosa, tar chugam.

A Thiarna Íosa, tabhair dom do ghrá.

A thiarna Íosa, tar chugam agus

Tabhair tú féin dom.

A Thiarna Íosa, a chara na bpáistí, tar

chugam.

A Thiarna Íosa, is tú mo Thiarna agus mo Dhia.

Moladh leat, a Thiarna Íosa Críost

Prayer after Holy Communion

Lord Jesus, I love and adore you.

You’re a special friend to me.

Welcome, Lord Jesus, O welcome,

Thank you for coming to me.

Thank you, Lord Jesus O thank you

for giving yourself to me.

Make me strong to show your love

wherever I may be.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all of us children in your loving care

and bring us to heaven to live with you there.

Paidir taréis Comaoineach

A Thiarna Íosa, gráim agus adhraim thú.

Is tú mo chara dílis.

Fáilte romhat, a Thiarna Íosa.

Go raibh maith agat as teacht chugam.

Go raibh maith agat, a Thiarna Íosa,

as ucht tú fein a thabhairt dom.

Cabhraigh liom do ghrá a léiriú

cibé áit a mbím.

Bí taobh liom, a Thiarna Íosa,

fan in aice liom go deo.

Beannaigh sinn, na páistí atá faoi do chúram

agus tabhair ar neamh sinn chun cónaithe leat féin.

Táim reidh anois, a Thiarna Íosa,

tá grá agam go leor.

Taim reidh anois le do ghrá a thabhairt

sa bhaile is don saol mór. Áiméan.

SONGS might include, ‘Quiet and Still’, ‘Jesus loves Children’, ‘The Welcome Table’. ‘The Lord, He is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)’, ‘Sing Praise (Psalm 148)’, ‘Miracle Song- The Loaves and the Fish’ ‘Go Tell Everyone’, ‘The Beatitudes’ ‘Where your Treasure Is’, Mass Setting (Bernard Sexton), ‘Without Seeing You’, ‘We Come to You Lord Jesus’, ‘Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat’ – All on VERITAS website as lyrics or video lyrics.

‘It was necessary that Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful’ (Psalm 15:11).

Sr Anne Neylon

FEAST OF ST MARK, EVANGELIST

‘The Lord is speaking to us in the Gospel: come, let us adore him, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)

Celebrations are an important aspect of life whether they be birthdays, anniversaries, sporting events, reception of sacraments etc. They are moments to be remembered. The Church celebrates particular Feast Days throughout the Liturgical Year. This time during Covid-19, celebrations take on a different shape.

Today (25 April) the Church celebrates the feast of St Mark. He was one of the four Evangelists. The other Evangelists are St Matthew, St Luke and St John. St Mark was a disciple of Jesus, though not one of the twelve apostles. St Mark’s Gospel is noted as the oldest and the shortest of the Gospels and as the most simple to read. St Mark accompanied Paul the Apostle and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. One can read about St Mark in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Bible. The message of St Mark’s Gospel is that if anyone desires to follow Jesus, he/she must accept the cross.

When studying the themes and lessons of the Grow in Love programme, the children read from the Gospel of St Mark. From today’s Gospel (Mk 16:15-20) children are familiar with Jesus’ message to the disciples, ‘Go and preach the Good News to everyone in the world.’ Jesus also encourages the disciples to believe in him and with God’s grace, they will be able to do great things e.g. love, forgive, pray, share, and use their gifts and talents. In this way disciples witness to the Good News.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was the first disciple. She recognised the great things that God did for her. Mary praised God in her ‘Magnificat’ when she prayed, ‘The Almighty has done great things for me: holy is his Name.’ (Lk 1:46-55). This prayer can be read in the Bible and in the e-books, accessible on VERITAS Grow in Love website.

Children are also taught about the Bible and the books therein. Resources for Bible study can be accessed on the website.

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Pupils are introduced to the Evangelists in GIL6, Fourth Class/P6. In the context of learning about the Bible, they learn about the four symbols commonly used to represent the Evangelists. These symbols were inspired by a vision that the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel (Ez 1:4-7,10) had from God. The four symbols are:

For Matthew- a winged man/ angel

For Mark: a winged lion

For Luke: a winged calf

For John: an eagle.

These four symbols are found in the e-book for Fourth Class/P6, available on VERITAS Grow in Love website.

Each of the four symbols point to the way the four Evangelists portrayed Jesus. Today’s Gospel is according to St Mark and because it is his feast day, the focus is on St Mark’s portrayal of Jesus. This Gospel gives a sense of the courage of Jesus in his suffering.

Children might like to search the e-books on the website and find familiar stories from St Mark’s Gospel. They might write down the Bible references.

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 gcionneoidh mé do Bhriathar

i mo chroí agus i m’intinn

faoi mar a rinne Íosa.

Áiméan.

SONGS might include, ‘Quiet and Still’, ‘Jesus loves Children’, ‘When Jesus was a boy’. ‘The Lord, He is my Shepherd (Psalm 23)’, ‘Sing Praise (Psalm 148)’, ‘The Bible Rap’, ‘There are many Rooms’, ‘Miracle Songs- The Loaves and the Fish, Jesus Calms the Storm, Jesus Helps a man to See’, ‘The Apostles’, ‘Zacchaeus’, ‘Go Tell Everyone’, ‘The Beatitudes’ ‘Where your Treasure Is’, ‘Wherever you Go’, The Parable Songs- The Mustard Seed, The Good Samaritan, The Lost Coin,’ ‘Magnificat’, – All on VERITAS website as lyrics or video lyrics.

‘Let us give thanks to Jesus Christ, who has sent teachers and evangelists to be ministers of faith to all peoples who believe in him, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘Please listen carefully to each of my concerns’ (Psalm 88:2)

‘O Lord you have been my refuge from one generation to the next.’ (Psalm 26:2)

St Mark, pray for us

Sr Anne Neylon

Introduction

We at Veritas know what a great job you do as teachers, especially during this time as you teach remotely and continue to guide your students during these challenging times.

We have created a resource, which is available online for you to download. This first booklet has five reflections/prayers. A new resource will be available each week. Our aim is to help you each day to take some time for yourself.

We hope you will continue to use these resources in your classrooms and for personal use when this crisis is over. We wish you well during this time and our team is available to answer any questions – contact Caroline at caroline.teehan@veritas.ie; you can also find a range of products at www.veritas.ie

Day 1

A Teacher’s Prayer

God, our Creator, You are the Supreme Teacher who illumines all life with your love and your light. Your word is a word of love. Make me your echo. Enable me to sow truth and goodness. You understand our every thought, and all our needs, you know our strengths and our failures. Fill me with understanding. Let me be passionate about beauty and truth.

Grant me the gift of conveying, teaching, correcting, and showing your ways, help me to spread your kindness. Direct my mind to your truth, my hands to kind acts. I am small and frail but allow me to fulfil my difficult mission. Show me your mercy, which teaches us so much. Amen.

Reflection What is the meaning of life?

What is the meaning of human life, or, for that matter, of the life of any creature? To know an answer to this question means to be religious. You ask: Does it make any sense, then, to pose this question. I answer: The [person] who regards [his or her] own life and that of [their] fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life.

• Albert Einstein

We plant the seeds that one day will grow.

• Oscar Romero

Day 2

The following is from St. Basil the Great’s commentary on Psalm 1:4.

He speaks of how he discovered for himself a key to finding the true meaning of life.

Nothing Worthwhile Comes Easily!

Life’s Journey Life is called a ‘way’ because everything that has been created is on the way to its end. When people are on a sea voyage, they can sleep while they are being transported without any effort of their own to their port of call. The ship brings them closer to their goal without their even knowing it. So we can be transported nearer to the end of life without our noticing it, as time flows by unceasingly.

Time passes as you sleep. While you are awake, time passes although you may not notice. All of us have a race to run toward our appointed end. Therefore, we are all on our way. This is how you should think of the ‘way’. . . . The ‘way’ does not belong to you nor is the present under your control. However, as each step succeeds step, enjoy each moment as it comes and then continue on your way.

Scripture Quotes

Read each scripture quote and reflect on what each one is saying to you.

Pick the one that speaks to you most and use it as your mantra for this week.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

• Proverbs 27:1

For thus says the Lord: As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.

• Isaiah 66:12, 13
• One who is wise among his people will inherit honour, and his name will live forever.
  • Ecclesiasticus [Sirach] 37:26

  Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.

  • Proverbs 19:20

  You shall be my people and I will be your God.

  • Jeremiah 30:22

  The ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

  • Hosea 14:9

  Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:24

  No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and wealth.

  • Matthew 6:24

  Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing; others pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

  • Proverbs 13:7

  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

  • Matthew 5:8

  Bread gained by deceit is sweet, but afterward the mouth will be full of gravel.

  • Proverbs 20:17

Day 3

The Lord’s Prayer Say the Lord’s Prayer

Reflect on the meaning of the Prayer

Our Father

It was Jesus who taught his disciples the Our

Father; they in turn taught it to us. We can call God ‘Father’ because, through our Baptism, we share in Jesus’ relationship with God the Father. We are daughters and sons of God, and so we can turn to God as easily as we would turn to a good parent. We can trust in God as truly as we would in a good parent. Just as Jesus trusted God the Father, we too should trust him as ‘little children’ would trust their own loving parents. The adjective ‘our’ when we say the Our Father means that we believe we are God’s people and that he alone is our God. Despite their many divisions, all Christians pray the Our Father.

Who art in heaven

God is unlike any earthly parent. God surpasses anything we could ever imagine in holiness, in love, in truth. Heaven is God’s dwelling place. By ‘heaven’, we do not mean a space in the concrete sense. Therefore, God is not ‘elsewhere’. God is with us, dwelling in our hearts.

Now we bring before God seven petitions. The first three are to do with God’s own honour and glory, while the next four ask for God’s mercy for ourselves.

Hallowed be thy name

We pray that God’s name be acknowledged as holy and treated by all people in a holy way. God has shown his holiness to us in the many times he sought to save humanity, through Moses, Abraham and, finally, through Jesus, the incarnate Son of God. God continues to manifest his holiness to us today. We are called to be holy in our own lives.

Thy kingdom come

We pray that, while we wait for the final coming of Christ, the values of love, peace and justice proclaimed by Jesus Christ and passed on to us in Scripture will shape the world in which we live. In other words, we pray that our world will be a place in which people live according to the values of the Kingdom of God. While we make this petition to God, we know that the Kingdom will only come about with the help of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

God’s Kingdom will come only when his will is done on earth as it is in heaven. It is both difficult and takes courage to do God’s will. Jesus is our model and source of strength as we strive to do so. The Gospels reveal to us that Jesus found it difficult to do the will of his Father. In Mark’s Gospel, we hear Jesus during the Agony in the Garden sharing with his Father how difficult it was: ‘Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me.’ However, this difficulty did not stop Jesus following the will of his Father and fulfilling the work the Father sent him to do. So he concluded, ‘yet, not what I want, but what you want’ (Mark 14:63). In the Our Father, we pray

that we will recognize God’s will and have the courage to live in accordance with it.

Give us this day our daily bread

When we pray this petition, we are expressing our trust that God who has given us life, give us all we require to live as his children, now and forever. However, we cannot say ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ without showing concern for those in our world who are in need.

We must live the virtue of solidarity and must share the responsibility to care for one another and for all the members of the human family. We are called to work to set up just structures in our world. We are called to share both our material and our spiritual goods with those in need.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

We trust in God’s mercy and forgiveness. Jesus’ whole earthly life, especially his suffering, Death and Resurrection, revealed the love and forgiveness of God. Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son helps us understand the depth of that love. In this petition, we truly show our commitment to live the Gospel. We acknowledge that God’s mercy and forgiveness can touch our hearts only to the extent that we forgive those who have hurt us. We know that there are no limits to the love and forgiveness of God. Therefore, we pray that we will have the courage to forgive our enemies and those who hurt us.

And lead us not into temptation

We ask God to help us to resist temptation— everything that tries to move us to turn away from God and his love—and sin. At the beginning of his public life, Jesus was tempted. He overcame the temptation by prayer and by reasserting the priority of his relationship with his Father to be the centre of his life. We know that we need to pray in order to have the strength to overcome temptation in our own lives.

But deliver us from evil

We pray to be freed from all evil—past, present and future. This includes evil that others visit upon us, as well as evil that we could do to ourselves. We ask for the gift of peace.

Day 4

Lectio Divina

Complete a diary using Lectio Divina as your prayer for today. Write the title of the biblical passage or story (or the Bible reference) that you used. Then answer the five questions in the spaces provided.

1. What stood out for you in the passage?
2. What did you say to or ask God?
3. What did you hear God saying to you?
4. Who or what did you pray for or about?

What are you going to do or change in your life now?

Day 5

Use this as your prayer today, what is it saying to you.

A Dream

And then one day

The fog of fear lifted Gently

The night of anxiety passed

Quietly

And the pain of sickness and death eased

Palpably

The seeds of faith

Found nourishment In a morning sun.

The shoots of hope Broke through

A frozen earth

The tender buds of love Burst wildly open On every branch.

The birds sang

With summer abandon

People laughed and danced As was their right

And children played Again

Enmity and division Were no more

And begrudgery

Withered away

For on that bright and balmy morn Faith wore its coat of many colours Hope sang with its purest voice And love, as always, conquered all.

John Quinn

On a dank and dark St Patrick’s Day, 2020)

Teacher Reflection

Your Father Knows Well You Need Them (Luke 12:30) A loving hand guides our lives, a loving force guides our world, a loving and personal God is involved in the past, present and future of our lives.

God knows each of us by name, by the history of our lives, by our hopes. Our peace and freedom from worry comes partly from the love God has for each. Then we have more space to solve problems.

A love, which touches us when we are worried, anxious, fearful. Like the sparkle in the middle of a diamond, like the colour in the middle of a thread, like the rain in the middle of a cloud. Always there, essential to the diamond, thread or cloud, but not itself the diamond, cloud or thread.

Being involved in the love of God brings the deepest happiness— could the desert be happy without sand or the sun happy without light?

All else will then be viewed in this light. Our anxiety about past, present or future is lived within the environment of the love of God.

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

On reading the Gospel for Mass today (Jn 6:1-15), I thought of Brother Kevin Crowley OFM, CAP Founder/ CEO of The Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People, Dublin. Br Kevin is interviewed frequently by the media. He primarily speaks of upholding the dignity and respect for each person who is welcomed daily at the Capuchin Centre. In addition to providing many services to people in need, meals are provided. During this time of Covid-19 when there are restrictions to using the regular dining area, the Capuchins have opened the Church to facilitate people in eating their meals.  Br Kevin knows he cannot do the work alone and is a wonderful collaborator. He depends on his staff, volunteers and community members. Browsing the website, we read breakfast is provided at 7.00 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. each day for approx. 250-300 people. Wednesday is the busiest day and staff/ volunteers come in at 6.00 a.m. to prepare food parcels for 1400 people. Daily dinner is prepared and served to 500-600 people. This truly is a remarkable mission of love.

In today’s Gospel the priest reads at Mass about the miracle that Jesus worked in feeding the multitude. (Jn 6:1-15). This Scripture passage is included in the Four Gospels, St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke and St John. It might be worthwhile doing a Bible Search and read the different accounts.

It is possible to tune into Mass on a parish webcam and hear the Gospel being read.

This story is also taught in the Grow in Love programme and can be read in the New Testament of the Bible and in the e-book accessible on VERITAS website. This Gospel story is first introduced to the children in Grow in Love2, Senior Infants/P2.

Each time we go to Mass we know that the priest takes the bread, blesses it and breaks it and says, ‘Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.’ Through the action of the Holy Spirit the bread is transformed into the Body of Christ. The priest also takes the wine and blesses it and says, ‘Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.’ The wine is transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit into the Blood of Christ. This transformation is called transubstantiation. This word ‘transubstantiation’ is introduced to pupils in Fifth class/P7. This Gospel story reminds us of what happens at Mass where the people assemble and receive ‘the Body of Christ’ to which they respond, ‘Amen’.  Receiving Holy Communion nourishes a person’s prayer and life and helps to deepen one’s relationship with Jesus.

Resources to support the teaching of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist are found also on VERITAS website.

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‘JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND’

The Gospel story tells of the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000 people beside the Sea of Galilee. The crowds followed Jesus everywhere because they saw the great signs of his healing people who were sick. Jesus wanted to get away for a while from the crowd with his disciples. They went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and went to the mountainside. The crowds saw them and followed.  Jesus saw them. He wanted to do something for them. He spoke to Philip, “where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ Philip immediately thought in monetary terms. It wasn’t what Jesus was thinking. He knew what he was about to do.  He was testing Philip. Then Andrew noticed a boy with ‘five barley loaves and two fish’ but he thought it wasn’t enough for all the people. Yet he was very generous in giving over the little food he had. Immediately Jesus spoke and told the disciples to tell the people to sit down. Very simply then, ‘Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.’

When the people had finished eating their fill, Jesus told them to gather the leftover food and they filled twelve baskets. That meant there was even more food if they were to get hungry later on. The people recognised Jesus as the prophet ‘who is to come into the world’. Jesus noticed they ‘were about to take him by force to make him king’ so he went off to the mountain by himself.

Jesus was doing the work of God. He didn’t see himself as a king. Through the action of Jesus, God’s care and concern, love, generosity and sharing are shown. The disciples came to see that Jesus was doing as God asked and they were called to do likewise.  Today Jesus calls disciples to continue doing God’s work in the world to build the kingdom of God.

ABOUT BROTHER KEVIN CROWLEY CAP.

God has called Brother Kevin, his staff and volunteers to help persons who are homeless and hungry.  They say ‘yes’ to God each time they help persons in need.  We pray in thanksgiving for Br Kevin and all who are associated with the Capuchin Centre. Pope Francis visited the Capuchin Centre in 2018 during his visit for ‘The World Meeting of Families.’

Perhaps it might be opportune to check out what Pope Francis had to say on his visit to the Capuchin Centre. You might also see some images of the visit.

‘I am not a saint: I just love people.’ Brother Kevin Crowley

Songs related to this theme are available on the VERITAS website  as lyrics and video lyrics are: ‘The Last Supper’, ‘Eat This Bread’, ‘Ithigí an t-Arán Seo’, ’Miracle Song-The Loaves and the Fishes’, ‘Grace before/After Meals’, ‘We Come to You, Lord Jesus’, Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat’, ‘The Welcome Table’, ‘We Come To Your Feast’, ‘Christ Be Our Light’.

PRAY from Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé

Grace before Meals

Bless us, O God, as we sit

together.

Bless the food we eat today.

Bless the hands that made the

food.

Bless us, O God. Amen.

Grace after Meals

Thank you, God, for the food

we have eaten.

Thank you, God for all our friends.

Thank you, God, for everything.

Thank you, God. Amen.

Altú roimh Bhia

Beannacht ó Dhia orainne ata ag suí

chun boird le chéile.

Beannacht ar an mbia a ithimid inniu.

Beannacht ar na lámha a d’ullmhaigh

dúinn é.

Beannacht a Dhia dílis orainn féin.

Áiméan.

Altú tar éis Bia

Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia, mar is tú a

thug bia dúinn.

Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia, mar is tú a

thug cairde dúinn.

Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia, mar is tú a

thug gach rud dúinn. dúinn.

Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia. 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.

From the song ‘Christ Be Our Light’

‘…Longing for food, many are hungry.

Longing for water, many still thirst.

Make us your bread, broken for others,

Shared until all are fed.’

‘Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to the people as they sat there, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

Sr Anne Neylon

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

The Word of God this Easter season fills God’s people with joy, life, hope and love. In the Church, the Paschal Candle is lighting. It represents the light of Christ coming into the world. Faith is a gift, received at Baptism. In faith, we believe in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit (The Trinity). The children in school are taught about The Mystery of the Blessed Trinity in Third Class/P5 upwards (Grow in Love 5, P5).

The priest reads from the Gospel of St John today at Mass (Jn 3:31-36). In addition to reading the Scripture passages from the Bible, one can hear the Gospel read at Mass on the webcam. It is possible to tune into the celebration of the Eucharist at many different times and places during the day. Even if your parish doesn’t have a webcam, it is possible to log on to a webcam in another parish on your phone or computer.

You will also hear a reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5:27-33) and also verses from Psalm 33:2, 9, 17-20. ‘Alleluia’ will be said or sung at the Gospel Acclamation.

In the Gospel (Jn 3:31-36) we hear of those who see the world with worldly eyes. There are also those who see it ‘from above’. Even though Jesus is in the world he comes ‘from above’. In this Scripture passage, John the Baptist testifies as a human being because he recognises Jesus is the Word. Jesus is sent by God to speak the Word of God.

Jesus ‘testifies’ (witnesses) to what he has seen and heard in heaven through his relationship with God, his Father. God loves us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus and anointed him with the Spirit. People who live in and of the world don’t accept Jesus’ testimony.

Those who listen and accept Jesus’ testimony know God is true. They trust God and accept his plan for building the kingdom and for saving the world.  God sent Jesus to speak his Word and to carry out a mission as we know from St Luke’s Gospel.

Jesus in the synagogue read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah; “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,’ (Lk 4:18-19). This text is in the e-book of GIL 6, Fourth Class/P6. It is also a text used in the preparation for pupils for the sacrament of Confirmation.

God filled Jesus with the Spirit and his people are also offered the Spirit ‘without measure’. God is always present to those who believe in Jesus and assures them of everlasting love in this world and for eternal life. This is why Jesus tells us, ‘Do not be afraid.’ We can trust God always and we walk in the light as we follow Jesus. Some people choose to walk in darkness and therefore they do not follow the light. The Holy Spirit helps us to walk in the light and to make good choices.

God sent Jesus to speak the words of God. The children explore some of Jesus’ teachings in the Grow in Love programme in the various class levels.

ABOUT LOVE

‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’(John 13:34).

‘Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.’

‘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 you love yourself.’ (Luke 10:27).

‘Do for others what you want them to do for you.’ (Luke 6:31).

OTHER TEACHINGS OF JESUS

Jesus also taught the people about prayer and how to pray, about fasting, about almsgiving and about forgiveness. He taught his disciples the ‘Our Father’. God invites us to believe in Jesus. We cannot do this on our own but we receive help from God when we pray, when we follow Jesus, when we receive the sacraments and when we do God’s will by reaching out to our families and friends in a loving way.

These Scripture readings on Jesus’ teaching on love may be read from the New Testament of the Bible or they may be accessed on the e-books of the Veritas website:

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

Songs suitable for this time include ‘Love’ (GIL5, Third Class/ P5) ‘The Neighbour Song’ (GIL5, Third Class/ P5), ‘Grow in Love’ (GIL5, Third Class/ P5), ‘The Great Commandment’ (GIL 6, Fourth Class/P6), ‘They Care for Me’ (Junior Infants, P/1), ‘Circle of Friends’ (GIL 3, First Class/P1), ‘The Apostles’ (GIL 4, Second Class/P4), ‘Go Tell Everyone’ (GIL7, Fifth Class/P7), ‘Whatsoever You Do’ (GIL8, Sixth Class/P8)- all available as video lyrics.

Other art and online activities are also accessible. There are also a wide selection of poems and journal activities in the e-books.

PRAY from Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé

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 Trinity,

The Three in One.

Paidir don Tríonóid Naofa

Moladh do Athair,

Agus don Mhac,

Agus don Spiorad Naomh,

An Triúr ina aon.

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.

‘The Father loves the Son, and has entrusted everything to him, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘You are my hiding place!

You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart

Because you have saved me.’ (Psalm 33:7)

Sr Anne Neylon

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

God’s people rejoice because God created the world so that they might live in God’s love. God is a loving parent to each one. When God created the world, God did so out of love and God saw everything that God created was very good. We can read the account of Creation in the Book of Genesis (Gen 1:1-2:4), the first book of the Old Testament. The Story of Creation may also be read from the ebooks on the VERITAS website at appropriate class levels.

Remember today is Earth Day 2020.  Earth Day is celebrated annually internationally on April 22 to highlight protection for the environment.  Earth Day offers an opportunity to care for our common home, to read Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ letter to the whole world and to play our role in caring for the environment today. Reading resources can be accessed in the eBooks on the VERITAS Grow in Love website.

The Gospel the priest reads at Mass today is a continuation of St John’s Gospel (Jn 3:16-21). By the way, it is possible to hear the priest reading the Gospel at Mass if you tune into the webcam of your parish church. Not all parishes have webcams but you will be able to check on your phone or computer. When the priest reads the Gospel the assembly of people stands. This is so everyone is alert to hear the Good News. The priest introduces the Gospel.

Before the Gospel is read you will hear a reading from the New Testament from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5: 17-26).   You will also hear a Psalm being read after the reading. Today you will hear verses read from Psalm 33.  Sometimes the Psalm is sung. The Psalms are written in the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament. You will also hear the Gospel Acclamation where ‘Alleluia’ is recited or sung.

The children may be familiar with Psalm 139, Psalm 23, Psalm 148 and Psalm 37 from the Grow in Love programme.

Today in the Gospel (Jn 3:16-21) we hear how God loved the world and the people he created so much that he sent his Son Jesus to tell them of that great love. God did this so everyone might believe in Jesus and that they might have eternal life; ‘Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent’ (Jn 17:3).  God says that Jesus was sent so ‘the world might be saved through him.’ So Jesus is the Saviour of the world. Jesus is the light of the world.

The Paschal Candle lit at the Easter Vigil represents Jesus, the light coming into the world and it is lit during the Easter season and at other times during the liturgical year. The Baptismal candles are lit during the Sacrament of Baptism from the Paschal Candle as a symbol of passing on the faith.

To live in the light means to live in God’s love and to follow Jesus and his teaching. We cannot do this on our own. God will give us the grace to help us and encourage us to live in the light. When we pray we can thank Jesus for being our light to guide our way. We can thank Jesus for always being present to us. In prayer we can ask Jesus to help us to send the Spirit so we can love God and love other people, even though sometimes it is difficult to do that. Jesus understands our weakness and he forgives our sins when we are truly sorry.

A variety of resources are available on The Story of Creation for various class levels from the VERITAS website which can be accessed:

Logon: www.veritas.ie

Email: trial@growinlove.ie

Password: growinlove

Appropriate songs to link with the liturgy today might be ‘Christ Be Our Light’, ‘Our God is an Awesome God’, ‘Bible Rap’, ‘Creation Story’, ‘God has Given Us the Earth’. All songs are available as video lyrics on GIL, Sixth Class on the website.

PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé (eBooks)

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.

Care For the Earth

God our Creator, you have given us

the earth, and the sky and the seas.

Show us how to care for the earth, not

just for today but for ages to come.

Let no plan or work of ours damage

or destroy the beauty of your creation.

Send forth your Spirit to direct us to

care for the earth and all creation. 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.

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.

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God,

The Father almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our

Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

He descended into hell;

on the third day he rose again from

the dead;

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God

the Father almighty,

from there he will come to judge the

living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting. Amen.

Mystery of Faith (Memorial Acclamation)

Celebrant: The mystery of faith

People: Save us, Saviour of the world,

For by your Cross and Resurrection

You have set us free.

‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but have eternal life.’ (Benedictus antiphon)

‘Live wisely, think deeply, love generously’ (Pope Francis).

Sr Anne Neylon

May Day turned out to be warm, bright and sunny after a decidedly chilly last week in April. I unwrapped my statue of Mary, which had been shrouded for safe keeping in a clean tea towel. Mary is our mother and, like many mothers, she is also a mother to all she meets. That instinct to nurture and love is with us from an early age.

From the moment the angel appeared to Mary and told her that she had been chosen to be the Mother of God, nothing would ever be the same. From the time that seed started growing in her womb, her place in the Holy Family was secured.

How will you show your devotion to Mary in this her special month of May? Will you set up a May altar in your prayer space or at home? Where will you go to collect flowers to adorn the feet of the Virgin Mary? Will you make a special effort this month to pray to Mary, for all the women in your family? Can you make an effort to pray the Rosary, in particular the Joyful Mysteries, which are all about five key moments early in the life of Mary?

Prayer changes things and the repetitive rhythm of the Rosary is comforting in this fast-paced world. In prayer, we still our minds and give our hearts to God. We are nicer to each other after prayer has happened. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are in our hearts.

Significant days: May is the month of Mary

St Brendan (16 May)

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May)

Easter Season is also known as Eastertide and we celebrate new life and the Resurrection of Jesus over fifty days until Pentecost.

Listen: ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’ and ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’, Fifth Class Grow in Love (Seasonal Lesson)

Consider: Making a May altar at home or in your classroom

Pray: The Rosary with your class or your family over a week in May, each day focusing on a different decade of the Joyful Mysteries

Read: The Rosary Priest: A Biography of Patrick Peyton by Tom Mulligan

— Amanda Smith

There is something about a new beginning that has the power to revive a tired spirit. Letting go of past grievances can be very liberating. The line from Frozen – ‘Let it go!’ – sung with great gusto by my five-year-old as she bursts into a room in full costume inspires forgiveness.

Liturgically we have the time of Lent to remind us of God’s never-ending mercy. Showing mercy towards one another this Lent means more to God than anything else. Jesus was merciful to all sinners. In the powerful line of scripture, Jesus defends the adulteress awaiting her stoning, saying, ‘Let those who are without sin cast the first stone.’ He urges us to look inward and reflect on our own lives rather than judging our neighbour. Sometimes that is easier said than done, but Lent gives us a defined period of time to fast, pray and give alms.

My late granny would say often, ‘There’s so much bad in the best of us and so much good in the rest of us that it ill behoves the best of us to talk about the rest of us.’ This Lent, as we are reminded of our mortality by the sign of the cross on our foreheads, let us make a conscious effort to forgive and forget because life is fragile and passing us by.

The arrival of the month of March reminds us that time marches on and waits for no one. Give someone you are struggling to forgive a call this Lent, write a letter of forgiveness or, better still, meet up in person and say sorry. Some time ago, a young person with whom I had worked years before reached out to me. She was on a mission of mercy, meeting all the people she felt she needed to apologise to in person. It took great courage and that meeting has always stayed with me.

— Amanda Smith.

Significant days: Women’s World Day of Prayer (2 March); Shrove Tuesday (5 March); Ash Wednesday (6 March); St Senan (8 March); St Patrick (17 March); St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary (19 March); The Annunciation of the Lord (25 March).

READ: Climate Generation: Awakening to Our Children’s Future by Lorna Gold

LISTEN: Let it Go by Idina Menzel

CONSIDER: Take up the Lenten Challenge #Pennies4Plastics: A Lenten Initiative from the Church of Ireland, Eco-Congregation Ireland and the Representative Church Body

Throughout Lent 2019, the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal, Eco-Congregation Ireland and the Representative Church Body (RCB) will be inviting individuals, families, parishes, schools, and Sunday schools and clubs to prayerfully reduce their use of plastic.

Catholic Schools Week straddles two months and indeed two seasons. My late granny used to caution that although we welcome the spring and more sunlight from St Brigid’s Day onwards, you can get any weather in February. We saw this last year with the Beast from the East. We may not be out of the woods yet this year in terms of winter weather but what keeps me going are the signs of life slowly awakening in nature: the delicate beauty of a cluster of snowdrops; green shoots pushing up and out of the muddy brown earth; or the dazzling sunrises that stop you in your tracks as you commute to work and make you wonder at the beauty of a new day. Lá nua. Thanks be to God for the ability to put your feet under you; in the words of Fr Tony Coote, to ‘walk while you can’. Father Tony Coote’s wise and inspiring words to us all to be grateful for the ability to put our feet to the ground and walk. At this time of year, when you are tempted to batten down the hatches, get up and out when there’s light and spot the signs of nature awakening. Take in as many sunrises and sunsets as your feet allow. As you walk, breathe out any doubts you had in winter and breathe in spring, filled with faith and trust in God.

~ Amanda Smith

READ: ‘Wild Geese’ by Mary Oliver, who died 17 January 2019 RIP

LISTEN: ‘As I Lay Me Down’, Sophie B. Hawkins

CONSIDER: Check out the website www.sacredspace.ie

The story of the three wise men gives us pause for thought in the darkness of January as the twinkling lights begin to fade and the trees, wreaths and decorations are all recycled or wrapped up and put away until next Christmas. Some of us struggle in January to let go of the year past and to look forward to the new one that lies before us.

At this time of new beginnings and longer days filled with more light to look forward to, let us look onward and upward, casting our dreams to the stars as we journey onward with the kings. They had to take a new route home after they paid homage to the infant Jesus because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod.

What about-turn has God got in store for you? Are you prepared to take another route and trust in the plan God has laid out for you in your life?

Look up, look out and offer your gifts to the world as the three kings offered their gifts to the infant Jesus. This year may you follow the great desires of the heart.

— Amanda Smith