Celebration of the Word

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England dedicated 2020 to ‘The Year of the Word’. During the special year, the Church encouraged schools to celebrate, live and share God’s Word. As a school we already do this in so many ways. Various prayers and activities will be taking place during this year to encourage our daily living out of the ‘Gospel’ which simply means ‘Good News’. Let us help one another to be ‘Good News’ to everyone we meet, both in word and deed.

Lectio Divina

(Latin for ‘Divine Reading’)

There are various approaches to Lectio Divina a simple approach is to see Lectio Divina as a way of encountering God through Scripture – normally, by taking a specific passage from the Bible as the basis for this prayer.

Four Steps of Lectio Divina by James Martin SJ.

• 1^st Reading (Lectio): What does the text say? First you read the text. Then you look at what is going on in this Bible passage?

• 2^nd Meditation: What is God saying to me in the text? At this point, you ask whether there is something that God might want to reveal to you through this passage. Often, it might connect with something in your life.

• 3ʳᵈ Prayer: What do I want to say to God about the text?

• 4^th Action: What do I want to do based on my prayer? Finally, you act. Prayer should move us to action, even if it simply makes us want to be more compassionate and faithful.

The story of the ‘The Good Samaritan’ is a good Gospel to use for Lectio Divina.

Luke 10: 25-37

Celebration of the Word

1) Gather:

• Prepare the prayer space (e.g., Prayer Table, Power Point, Focal point, music, Symbols being used)
• Have everyone quiet. Welcome everyone to this time of prayer as you gather as a faith community. Light the Candle. Have the scripture prepared and share your theme
• Make the sign of the Cross to begin this time of prayer

2) The Word:

• Read the Scripture and everyone listens
• Pray with the Scripture in your heart
• Listen to what the Lord is saying to you through the scripture passage

3) Response:

• A time of reflection and prayer on the Word
• Enable connection with the Scripture and our everyday lives
• How do you connect to this reading? This may be shown through a reflection, song, music, drama, tableaux, art, discussion

4) Mission:

• How will this Scripture passage change you?
• What is it calling you to do in your life
• How will you go and share this with others

Finish with a prayer, sign of the cross and turn off the candle

First week back after Easter break

Divine Mercy Sunday
2nd Sunday of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’
    Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord’. But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’
    Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’
    Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.