‘WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY’
‘WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH IN CHINA
LAUDATO SI’ WEEK (16-24 MAY 2020)
‘Alleluia, Christ ascends into heaven as Lord. Come, let us adore him, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)
From time to time, we experience the death of a loved one and we encounter people who grieve the loss of a family member or friend. Whether a person dies suddenly or not, the loss felt is great. The sense is, ‘I will never see, touch or hear that person’s voice again.’ In time and with God’s grace, the loved one becomes present in a new way.
Today the Church celebrates the Ascension of the Lord. Jesus is beginning a new kind of presence with his disciples. The Risen Jesus is now present to all people everywhere without limit of space or time.
The Gospel the priest proclaims at Mass today (Mt 28:16-20) can be heard via webcam or read in the New Testament.
For some time Jesus prepared his disciples and told them he was going to his Father. Now, Jesus told the disciples to go to Galilee. Before he ascended to his Father in heaven, Jesus approached them and said, ‘Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations. Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. I am with you always, even to the end of this world.’ (Mt 28:20). With these words, Jesus requested that the disciples would continue his work on earth and he assured them he would be with them to the end of time. This is the message he communicates to his disciples today.
The Church also celebrates ‘World Communications Day’. The theme Pope Francis chose for the day is ‘Storytelling, – “That you may tell your children and grandchildren”’ (Ex 10:2).
The Church also dedicates today as ‘World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.’
Today, the final day of Laudato Si’ Week at noon, local time we are asked to stop and pray as one global Catholic Family all over the world. The Common Prayer for the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si’ is available on the Laudato Si’ Week (16-24 May) website or on the Global Catholic Movement website. A wave of prayer for creation will start as the sun reaches its peak in the Pacific, then roll on through Africa and Europe before reaching the Americas. The global day of prayer will envelop the entire world. That’s the power of this prayerful movement. We face a crisis in love and solidarity because we know that truly, “everything is connected.”
THE ASCENSION IN THE GROW IN LOVE PROGRAMME
Children from the start of school are introduced to the names of the three persons of the Holy Trinity as they pray the Sign of the Cross, ‘In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’
They identify that Jesus’ Ascension is celebrated forty days after Easter Sunday. Jesus rose to new life, called the Resurrection. He spent the time between Resurrection and Ascension with his apostles. Jesus told them during these days that he would be leaving them and going to his Father. He prepared them for this and promised that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. They would not be left alone.
Children explore the sequence of the events in Jesus’ life. They are assured from Sacred Scripture that Jesus is with us always to the end of time. Jesus will keep his promise.
The disciples remembered Jesus’ last words. We too also remember them.
Children and families are invited to pray the Third Glorious Mystery of the Rosary, The Ascension.
In senior classes children are taught that after the Resurrection, Jesus continued to bring his apostles on a journey of faith. They identified him as the Messiah and more than that, they recognised him as God. At the Ascension, the first followers of Jesus began to become fully aware of their mission. Jesus would accompany them with a new presence. Jesus is present with his disciples today as they continue his mission of building God’s kingdom.
On line resources are accessible, including the Children’s Grow in Love e-book, on the VERITAS Grow in Love website to support this lesson on The Ascension.
Logon: www.veritas.ie
Email: trial@growinlove
Password: growinlove
Through Sacred Scripture, prayer and reflection, videos, song online activities, art activities, journal activities, poetry and song, the children can discover that Jesus’ Ascension to his Father in Heaven fills him with joy.
We too are filled with joy because where Jesus goes we too will go. Jesus has promised us the gift of eternal life. Today we give thanks to God.
Disciples follow Jesus by doing God’s will. When disciples pray they communicate with God and they take time to listen to God speaking in the silence of their hearts. Disciples are nourished with love by listening to the Word of God and acting on it and by receiving Holy Communion. This prepares them to witness to Jesus’ love, showing kindness and gratitude. Jesus invites everyone to share in his joy and love.
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.
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.
THE THIRD GLORIOUS MYSTERY, THE ASCENSION
OUR FATHER X 1
HAIL MARY x 10
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER x 1
‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’(Benedictus antiphon).
‘King of Glory, Lord Almighty, today you have ascended victoriously above the heavens: do not leave us orphans without a guide, but send the one whom you promised, the gift of the Father, the spirit of truth, alleluia, (Magnificat antiphon).
‘God goes up with shouts of joy, the Lord ascends with trumpet blast.’ (Psalm 46:2)
Our Lady Help of Christians, please pray for us.
Our Mother of Sheshan, please pray for us.
Sr Anne Neylon