Lent 2014 Prayers for School Settings

Lent 2014
Prayers for School Settings
Acknowledgements
Gemma Sinnott, Catherine Gibbs, Patricia Lynch – writers
Patricia Lynch – Way of the Cross notes and powerpoint
Martin de Jong – editor
Rose Miller – Kraftwork
Trevor ’Ofamo’oni – cover art work
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand staff for their contributions
Photos
Caritas staff – from our partners in Solomon Islands,
Philippines, Timor Leste
Adrian Heke – Solomon Islands
Elizabeth Sullivan – Holy Land
Christine Reymer (Mahitahi)
Poetry and prayer contributions
Anne Powell
Joy Cowley
Sr Isabelle Harding (SM)
Rosemary and Peter Atkins
Table of contents
Introduction
3
About this prayer booklet 3
Week 1 The temptation in the desert
4
Week 2 The transfiguration
7
Week 3 The woman at the well
10
Week 4 The healing of the blind man
13
Week 5 The raising of Lazarus
16
Week 6 The passion of Christ
20
The Way of the Cross 23
Additional resources
Towards the sky
24
For Ash Wednesday adapted from Isaiah 58
24
Psalm 121 – The Lord, our protector
24
From St Clare of Assisi
24
Witnesses to the light
24
The man at the well
25
One world, many cultures
25
God’s world
26
Sadness and joy at Easter
26
Easter
26
Jelly bean Prayer
27
From The Easter Story
27
Prayer to Mary
27
Karakia o te Aranga – Easter prayer
27
He became poor so that by his
poverty you might become rich.
2 Cor 8:9
Pope Francis has asked us to use Lent as a time when we reflect on
the Christian meaning of poverty and sharing with the poor.
2
Introduction
About this prayer booklet
Lent is the period of preparation for Easter – a
time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to the poor.
During this season, we remember that Christ
calls us as members of a worldwide community.
As children of God we each have the same needs
and yearnings: for food, water and shelter; for
protection of family and whānau; for education
and work; for the opportunity for spiritual
reflection and renewal; and for a safe and
peaceful environment in which to live.
The purpose of this booklet is to provide
resources, ideas and inspiration for prayer and
reflection throughout the six weeks of Lent. Each
week’s theme is linked to the corresponding
Sunday Gospel of the liturgical year and a Caritas
partnership. There are ideas for use at various
class levels which can be used for assemblies,
class lessons, staff or team meetings. A shaded
section provides simpler versions of the Gospel
readings and short prayers, better suited for
children Years 1-6.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is the Catholic
agency for justice, peace and development –
an official agency of the New Zealand Catholic
Bishops Conference. We work in partnership
with impoverished communities throughout the
world, and through advocacy and education for
justice in New Zealand.
You may prefer to use the electronic version of
this booklet from the Caritas website.
www.caritas.org.nz/schools/lent-schools
Our focus this Lent is our Caritas partnerships
in Solomon Islands. Through a series of lessons
and supporting resources including this booklet
of prayers, students will be encouraged to
understand how they must play their part to
build communities where the values of faith,
truth, joy and peace can flourish.
We acknowledge everyone who has contributed
to this booklet. We hope that it will be used by
teachers throughout Lent to guide, encourage,
and help develop empathy towards those who
are living in poverty. Please help us to continue
our work. Thank you.
3
Week 0neThe temptation in the desert
Leader:Sign of the Cross; Ki te ingoa o te Matua,
o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu
Song:Turn back to God, Michael Mangan,
from ‘Sing Your Joy’. (www.
litmusproductions.com)
Leader:After his baptism, Jesus journeyed into
the Judaean desert where he was alone.
In the desert he tried to listen to the
voice of his Father, but there were other
competing voices. One voice tempted
him to seek power, another riches and
another fame. Jesus didn’t leave the
desert. He waited for all these voices to
fade away so that he could tune in to
the true voice of God.
Let us pray...
Help us Lord when we are tempted to
run away from things that are difficult.
Give us courage to face the things that
we find hard, such as relationships with
particular people, school subjects or
physical challenges. May your Spirit be
with us so that we will know we are
never alone.
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted
for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards
he was famished. The tempter came and said
to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command
these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he
answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone, but by every
word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’
Then the devil took him to the holy city and
placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying
to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself
down; for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you”,
and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a
stone.” ’
Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put
the Lord your God to the test.” ’
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain
and showed him all the kingdoms of the world
and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All
these I will give you, if you will fall down and
worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you,
Satan! For it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God, and serve only
him.” ’
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels
came and waited on him.
Judaean Desert, May 2011.
4
Case study: A story from Aotearoa New Zealand
Christchurch mother, joined Caritas staff
in speaking to the Social Services Select
Committee about how changes to state
housing policy would affect the tight-knit
community of Aranui. She reinforced Caritas’
submission that Housing New Zealand must
be able to take into account the impact of
their policy and practice not just on individual
households, but on communities.
One of the challenges facing Christ during his
temptation in the desert was discerning the
truth, even as the Tempter quoted Scripture
at him. It leads us to ask: who are we listening
to? Are we tuned to God’s authentic voice? Are
we hearing the voices of the most vulnerable?
It has been important for Caritas to ensure
we are listening to the many people of
Christchurch whose vulnerability has increased
as a result of the Christchurch earthquakes. An important relationship for Caritas has been
the community of St James Catholic School
in Aranui, where strong social networks have
enabled external assistance to reach those
who most need it. St James’ principal Jo
Barlow describes the community as a place
where people are focused more on what they
have to share than what they themselves lack.
Reflection
Sometimes there are many voices competing for
our attention. The media, popular culture and
advertising agencies are all preaching their own
messages. We need to take time out to listen to
God’s voice as we hear him speaking through
scripture and through the created world.
Caritas prayer
E Hēhu Karaiti, Christ Jesus: You were alone in
the desert. Hungry for connection, help us to
tune our hearts to your authentic voice.
The community associated with St James
School contributed to the advocacy work
of Caritas when Lamepasola Timu, a young
Junior primary school
Scripture adapted for younger children from
The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories
But Satan, the source of all evil, was
determined to try to stop Jesus from obeying
God.
Gospel story
The temptation in the desert
After many days of prayer and going without
food, Satan suggested to Jesus:
Before Jesus began his special life-work, Jesus
wanted to think hard and to pray to his Father
about it. He went away on his own into the
desert. The sun glared down on bare rocks and
dry sand. There was no fresh grass or green
trees to be seen and there was no food to eat.
‘God has said that you are his son, so why go
hungry? Just order these little rocks to turn
into loaves!’
‘The Bible says that man cannot live by bread
alone,’ Jesus answered. Jesus refused to use
his power to satisfy his own needs. He knew,
too, that food is not the most important thing
in life.
Jesus realised that he would not be like other
kings. He would not have fine clothes, a rich
palace and slaves to obey his orders. He was
going to be poor and badly treated and at the
end he would be cruelly killed. All this was part
of God’s loving plan to rescue the whole world
from the power of evil. And Jesus willingly
accepted God’s plan.
Satan went on:
‘This world belongs to me. Recognise my
power and do things my way and I will give it
all to you.’
5
Kia inoi tātou – Let us pray
A glimpse of all the glittering kingdoms of the
earth flashed before Jesus’ eyes in a moment.
But he shook his head.
You may want to ask the children to offer
their own prayers or you can use the
suggestions below.
‘The Bible says that God is the only one to be
obeyed and worshipped,’ he replied. ‘I will do
things God’s way.’
As we try to come closer to God this Lent …
We pray for the world’s leaders: that they
may do all that they can to make sure that all
people have enough food to eat.
Once more Satan tried to make Jesus give up
God’s plans for him. ‘Do something daring
and spectacular,’ he suggested. ‘If you throw
yourself down from the top of the temple you
will be a popular hero. You need not worry,
because God says in the Bible that he will
take care of you and save you from hurting
yourself.’
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
‘The Bible also says that it is wrong to test God
and then expect him to get you out of trouble,’
Jesus replied.
In no way could Satan persuade Jesus to turn
from God’s plan and go his own way. For a
while Satan left him alone and God sent angels
to help and strengthen Jesus, after his long
struggle against evil.
We pray for all our brothers and sisters
throughout the world: that they may be able
to get their fair share of the food that God
has given for us all.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
We pray for the work of Caritas: that it may
continue to listen to and support people
around the world so that they can get to
school to learn new things and to discover
the important skills for life.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
We pray for our parish, family and friends:
that we may be generous and share what we
have with others, so that all of us may have
enough.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
Closing prayer
E te Ariki, you know what it is like to be poor.
Open our eyes so we may see you in our
brothers and sisters around the world. Help
us to share the good things we have been
given so all people have enough to pay for
things like schooling and learning skills for
life. Amen
6
Week Two The Transfiguration
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
Leader: Sign of the Cross: Ki te ingoa o te Matua,
o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and
James and his brother John and led them up
a high mountain, by themselves. And he was
transfigured before them, and his face shone like
the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and
Elijah, talking with him.
Song:Christ be our light, Bernadette Farrell,
‘As One Voice’, vol 2.
Leader:In this second week of Lent, Jesus takes
three of his disciples up the mountain,
and is transformed in their presence. His
clothes become glowing white, much
whiter than any bleach could make
them. This is an amazing and frightening
experience for Peter, James and John.
They are out of their comfort zone and
don’t know how to react.
Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to
be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings
here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for
Elijah.’
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright
cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a
voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him
I am well pleased; listen to him!’
Jesus reassures them that there is no
need to be afraid.
Let us pray...
When the disciples heard this, they fell to the
ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus
came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do
not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they
saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
Sometimes when things happen that
we are not expecting, we feel fearful
and anxious. We don’t like it when we
don’t understand what is happening
to us or around us. We feel powerless.
Jesus, help us in these times, to be
courageous and to hold on to what we
believe. Give us your Spirit to reassure
and strengthen us.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus
ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until
after the Son of Man has been raised from the
dead.’
7
Case study: Radio Timor Kmanek
him. Yet, somehow, he remained courageous
and kept speaking out for what he believed in,
even from his jail cell.
Radio Timor Kmanek (RTK) is a Catholic radio
station based in Dili, in Timor Leste. The radio
station plays a vital part in communications to
remote rural areas, in a country where most of
the population do not have access to television.
Fr Domingas Bian is the director of RTK. He
developed a new feature for the radio station:
talk-back via text messaging. This helps people
in isolated areas to feel more connected to the
rest of the country, as most people don’t have
land-line telephones.
When the Prime Minister of Timor Leste,
Xanana Gusmao, visited RTK, he said, ‘Your
mission is educating people, promoting good
values of life and to work for the common
good of the state and all people.’
Hopefully we will never have to go through
experiences as frightening as the ones that Mr
Gusmao went through. However, we all have
times when we feel powerless, overwhelmed
and frightened. It is at these times that we
need to call to mind the
continuous presence of
God’s Spirit with us, and
hold on to the hope that
our faith gives us.
Xanana Gusmao.
Photo: Antonio Cruz/ABr.
http://en.wikipedia.org/
The radio station studios and transmitters are
very basic. Fr Domingas is aware that RTK will
need ongoing support from partners such as
Caritas in order to maintain and increase their
broadcasting capacity. But he is committed
to working hard for this project. He knows
that media is an important way of connecting
people and giving them a voice; a way to
stand up without fear and have a say in the
future direction of their new
country.
Intercessions
For those who are imprisoned for speaking up
for their beliefs.
May they be strengthened by your Spirit of
courage.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
For governments around the world.
May they work hard to provide a safe place for
their citizens to live.
Fr Domingas, Director of Radio
Timor Kmanek, April 2013.
Photo: Tara D’Sousa
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
For people who stand up for the rights of
others, such as aid workers and human rights
advocates.
Reflection
Timor Leste is a very new nation. It was born
after a long period of struggle and bloodshed,
and became independent in 2002. Some of
the people who now lead the government of
Timor Leste were imprisoned in Indonesia in
the years leading up to independence.
May God give them courage to continue in this
important work.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
Mr Xanana Gusmao (the current Prime
Minister) was imprisoned for seven years, from
1992-1999. He must have been very fearful at
times, not knowing what was happening back
in his country, or what was going to happen to
8
Caritas prayer
Te Atua o te Rangimarie, Peaceful God: you
reassure us when you touch us in our time
of fear. Encourage us to stand up and declare
your truth.
Junior primary school
Scripture adapted for younger children from
The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories
Gospel story
A glimpse of glory
One day Jesus set off with Peter and the
brothers, James and John, to climb a steep
mountain ridge. Jesus wanted to be alone with
God, to find out what his father wanted him
to do. The sun was setting as Jesus prayed and
the three friends, tired out, fell fast asleep.
Suddenly they were wide awake. At first they
did not know what had disturbed them. Then
they saw a warm, bright light shining through
the darkness.
Kia inoi tātou – Let us pray
For the Church throughout the world: that it
may be a living example of God’s love for all,
and work for change so that the world is a
fairer place for all.
They looked across at Jesus. His face was
dazzling bright and his clothes glistened with
a light more beautiful than any on earth. Two
men, Moses and Elijah, were talking to him.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
James and John were silent in wonder but
Peter felt that he would burst if he didn’t
speak.
We pray for all people who struggle to get
enough to eat: that they may find the strength
and help that they need to change their lives
for the better.
‘This is wonderful, would you like us to put
up three tents – one each for you and Moses
and Elijah?’ He really didn’t know what he was
saying.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
At that very moment the bright cloud of God’s
presence shone above them.
We pray for our parish, family and friends: that
we may be inspired to change our lives for the
better and to help others to change their lives
too.
‘This is my own dear son,’ God said. ‘Listen to
him.’
The disciples hid their faces, full of fear and
wonder. Then they felt a gentle touch on the
shoulder. They looked up fearfully, but it was
Jesus alone.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
As they walked down the path in the morning
light, Jesus said, ‘Don’t tell anyone what you
have seen until after I have been put to death
and have come to life again.’
E te Ariki, God our Father, help us to see your
Son in all people and to treat them as we
would wish to be treated ourselves. Inspire us
to make a change so that the world is a fairer
place for all to live. Amen.
Closing prayer
The disciples did as Jesus said. But they never
forgot this glimpse of Jesus’ real glory.
9
Week Three The woman at the well
Leader: Sign of the Cross: Ki te ingoa o te Matua,
o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu
Song:
Come to the water, Matt Maher,
Youtube link (http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=uJJVrZKqKNE)
Or more traditional: Come to the water,
Frank Andersen, ‘As One Voice’, vol 1.
Leader:Lent is a time for remembering that God
is the source of all life. Just as humans
cannot live without water, so we cannot
be fully alive without God’s spirit.
During Lent we try to be more aware of
God’s presence in us and in the world
around us. When we are thirsty for love,
hope, faith and peace, we can turn to
God.
Let us pray...
Living God, fill us every day with the gift
of your love, so that we will know you
are with us and we will have the energy
to love others.
Gospel: John 4:5-15
(extended reading John 4:5-42)
So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar,
near the plot of ground that Jacob had given
to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and
Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by
the well. It was about noon.
A Samaritan woman came to draw water,
and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’ (His
disciples had gone to the city to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it
that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman
of Samaria?’ (Jews did not share things in
common with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of
God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give
me a drink”, you would have asked him, and
he would have given you living water.’
The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have no
bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you
get that living water? Are you greater than
our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and
with his sons and his flocks drank from it?’
Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this
water will be thirsty again, but those who
drink of the water that I will give them will
never be thirsty. The water that I will give will
become in them a spring of water gushing up
to eternal life.’
The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this
water, so that I may never be thirsty or have
to keep coming here to draw water.’
Flowing tap water brings relief to families, Auki water project,
Solomon Islands, April 2013. Photo: Adrian Heke
10
Case study: Water project Auki
Sometimes we can take our water taps for
granted. It is very different in parts of the
Pacific. The people of Auki in Solomon Islands
understand how important access to fresh
water is. Until recently, over 1000 people have
had to collect water from five old pipes which
only gave a small trickle of water. In 2012-13,
with funding from Caritas, the water system
and pipelines were repaired. The next stage of
the project is to extend the pipelines further,
to install taps and then lay concrete slabs for
people to stand on when they collect water.
easily accessed by many of the world’s poorest
people. In sub-Saharan Africa, due to longterm droughts, water is a scarce commodity. In
some parts of the Pacific, while there may be
plenty of rain, the means of collecting water
can be expensive.
Organisations such as Caritas help people
to obtain water, by assisting communities in
building tanks and pipelines and installing taps.
During Lent it is good to remember the gifts of
life that God freely gives us, such as food and
water. We are encouraged to do what we can
to assist those for whom fresh water is difficult
or expensive to access.
Sixteen-year-old Maria told Caritas staff that
doing the family washing is much easier now.
It doesn’t take so long to wash the clothes or
to wash her brothers’ hair! The flow of water
from the pipes is much faster and there is a
pipeline closer to her home. Families can now
use their time for other important things, like
growing their vegetable gardens and doing
schoolwork.
Intercessions
For those who do not have easy access to fresh
water:
May they be blessed by the generosity of
others, so that agencies such as Caritas can
help them build better water systems.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
For those who feel empty and lonely:
May they be blessed by the love and care of
others, so that they will have renewed energy
for life.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
For those who live in countries that are
experiencing droughts because of climate
change:
May they be helped by our efforts to reduce
pollution and by living more simply.
Sixteen-year-old Maria from Niukaloka village in Auki does
her family’s washing more easily with the improved water
system. (April 2013) Photo: Adrian Heke
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
Reflection
Caritas prayer
For every culture in the world, water is a
symbol of life. Without water we die. Water
is a precious taonga that we often take for
granted here in New Zealand.
E te Atua o te wai ora, God of living water: You
quench our thirst with waters that never run
dry. Help us to share generously to bring lifegiving water to others.
This Lent we recall that fresh water is not so
11
Junior primary school
‘Come and see the most wonderful person!’
She told everyone. ‘He has told me everything
about myself. I think he must be the Messiah.’
Scripture adapted for younger children from
The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories
Gospel story
The woman who came for water
The hot midday sun beat down as Jesus
waited for his disciples by the well near Sychar
in Samaria. He was tired and very thirsty. A
woman came plodding wearily towards the
well, her water pot on her head. She was
startled to see Jesus. No-one was usually
around at noon.
The villagers were full of curiosity and followed
her back to the well. ‘Please stay here a few
days and tell us about the good news you have
brought,’ invited the people.
And Jesus did.
‘Would you give me a drink of water?’
Jesus asked her. Now the woman was really
surprised. She could see that Jesus was a Jew,
and Jews did not speak to Samaritans – let
alone a woman!
‘You mean you would take water from me
even though I’m a Samaritan woman?’ she
asked. ‘Whoever can you be?’
Scripture in our own words and
actions
‘If you knew that,’ Jesus told her, ‘you would ask
me for a drink. I would give you living water.’
‘You haven’t even got a bucket,’ the woman
said laughing. ‘How do you think you’d draw
your wonderful water?’
Chant this rhyme and invite ideas for actions to
match each line.
One day, Jesus came to a town,
And by a well, He sat right down.
He was tired for He had travelled far.
Then came a woman with a water jar.
‘The water I give is different from the water
in this well,’ Jesus explained. ‘If you drink the
water I give, you will never be thirsty again. It
will satisfy your deepest needs.’
Jesus said, ‘Please give me a drink.’
As they talked, she began to think.
‘That sounds good as it would save me coming
every day,’ said the woman.
‘Then why not get your husband?’ Jesus
suggested.
‘All who drink this will be thirsty again,’
He said, ‘I give life that never ends.’
Back to her town the woman ran.
She said, ‘Everyone, come and see this man!’
He told me everything I’ve ever done.
‘Because I haven’t got one,’ the unhappy
woman retorted sharply.
Could He be the Lord, God’s only Son?
‘I know that,’ Jesus replied gently. He knew
all about this unhappy woman. She had been
married five times and was not married to
the man she lived with at the moment. The
woman was astonished that Jesus knew all
about her. She put down her water pot and ran
back to the town full of the news.
12
The townspeople came out just to see.
When Jesus spoke, they said ‘We believe.’
‘Come, see Jesus,’ said the woman at the well.
She told many people – how many can you tell?
Sourced August 2013 from http://resourcewell.
s3.amazonaws.com/children/kingsandkingdoms/KK.U2.L9Ages4-5_TeachersGuide.pdf
Week Four The healing of the blind man
Leader:Sign of the Cross: Ki te ingoa o te Matua,
o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu
Gospel: John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
(extended reading John 9:1-41)
Song:Open my eyes, Jesse Manibusan,
from ‘As One Voice’, vol 1. Or try
Open the eyes of my heart,
Maranatha Music (available on Youtube)
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from
birth. He spat on the ground and made mud with
the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes,
saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’
(which means Sent). Then he went and washed
and came back able to see.
Leader:Jesus always has a special love for those
who are disabled in any way. There are
many Scripture stories in which we see
him healing the blind, lame, deaf, those
with skin diseases, and even raising the
dead. Jesus has compassion for these
people, and he also sees their faith. The
sick have learned that they can’t do
everything for themselves. They know
they need the help of others and the
grace and blessing of God.
The neighbours and those who had seen him
before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not
the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some were
saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it
is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the
man.’
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had
formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day
when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.
Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he
had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put
mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’
Let us pray...
That during Lent we will become more
aware that we need each other and
we need God. May we learn not to be
proud, but to ask for help when we
need it. May we be generous in assisting
those who come to us for help.
Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not
from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’
But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner
perform such signs?’ And they were divided. So
they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you
say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’
He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ They answered him,
‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying
to teach us?’ And they drove him out.
Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and
when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in
the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he,
sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’
Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the
one speaking with you is he.’ He said, ‘Lord, I
believe.’ And he worshipped him.
13
Case study: Volunteer working with young people with disabilities
Angela Murray is a New Zealand Sign Language
(NZSL) interpreter. She works with deaf and
hearing impaired people in Wellington who
need someone to translate spoken English into
NZSL for them, at school or at work.
Angela heard about San Isidro Care Centre for
the Deaf in Aruligo in Solomon Islands. She
thought she might be able to do something to
help the students there, so in 2009 she went
to the Solomons as a volunteer. Angela went
to Aruligo as a volunteer with the Catholic
volunteer organisation called Mahitahi which
is now part of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.
with disabilities often have to deal with being
excluded from the activities of other children.
In the Gospel story, the man born blind would
have had to deal with rejection and loneliness.
Jesus knew this as soon as he saw him. He
didn’t even need to speak to him. He simply
called him over and anointed his eyes with
spittle and mud, and healed his blindness.
Sometimes we are not as quick as Jesus was
to see the needs of others. It’s often easier
to stay away from people who might seem
‘different’. It requires a generosity of spirit to
reach out to others who need our help. We
have to stop thinking about ourselves and
think about the other person.
During her time at Aruligo, Angela was able to
assist the students in increasing the number
of signs in the Pidgin Sign Language. (Pidgin
is the common language spoken by Solomon
Islanders.) Angela also produced a book of
Pidgin signs so that new students could learn
sign language more quickly.
During her time at Aruligo, Angela observed
the changes in many students who came to
the centre very timid and withdrawn. Learning
how to communicate more effectively with
others had a huge impact on their self-esteem
and academic, social and practical skills.
Angela stepped out of her comfort zone when
she volunteered to go to Aruligo to work with
deaf students. She was away from her normal
life; her friends and her family, but Angela saw
a need that she had the skills to meet, and she
went for it. She says that she feels extremely
blessed to have had that time in Solomon
Islands.
Call to mind someone in your class or in your
family who has a specific need. Think about
how Jesus would treat this person and try to
do the same.
Intercessions
For those who feel isolated because of a
physical or intellectual disability.
May we extend the hand of friendship and
support to them.
Leader:E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
For those who feel socially excluded from their
peer group.
Brother George, Angela Murray and students from San
Isidro Care Centre for the Deaf (2009)
Reflection
May we be courageous in stepping up and
offering them a helping hand.
It is easy for us to overlook those who don’t
‘fit in’ to our idea of what is normal. Children
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
14
Caritas prayer
For people with disabilities who live in
countries where there are limited services to
help them.
E te Ariki, Lord: You responded to the needs
of the blind man, to reveal God’s work in him.
Open our eyes to see people’s needs, and to
have the courage to act so that those we meet
may encounter Christ through us.
May the work of organisations such as Caritas
help to bring them the practical assistance
they need.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
Junior primary school
Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the
one speaking with you is he.’He said, ‘Lord, I
believe.’ And he worshipped him.
Scripture adapted for younger children from
The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories
Gospel story
Jesus heals a man born blind
As he walked along, Jesus saw a man blind
from birth. He spat on the ground and made
mud with the saliva and spread the mud on
the man’s eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the
pool of Siloam’. Then he went and washed and
came back able to see!
The neighbours who had seen him before as
a beggar began to ask, ‘Isn’t this the man who
used to sit and beg?’
They brought the former beggar to the
Pharisees. Now it was a sabbath day when
Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then
the Pharisees began to ask him how he had
received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud
on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’
Kia inoi tātou – Let us pray
E te Ariki, thank you for the gift of seeing.
As we look at your beautiful world, we praise
you;
As we see the love and goodness of our
parents and guardians, we thank you;
Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not
from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’
But others argued, ‘How can a man who is a
sinner perform such signs? What do you say
about the man who opened your eyes?’
Help us to see the people in need and to help
them.
Give us eyes full of kindness to see those in
need of comfort.
He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ They answered him,
‘You were born in sins, and are you trying to
teach us?’ And they drove him out.
We thank you for eyes to make our friends
happy.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ,
your son. Mā to mātou Ariki, mā Hēhu Karaiti.
Jesus heard that they had driven him out, so
when Jesus found him, he said, ‘Do you believe
in the Son of Man?’He answered, ‘And who is
he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’
Āmene
15
Week Five The raising of Lazarus
Leader: Sign of the cross: Ki te ingoa o te Matua,
o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu
Gospel: John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
(extended version John 11:1-45)
Song:Prayer of St Francis, from ‘As One Voice’,
vol 2. Or try:
So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he
whom you love is ill.’
L ord, make me a means of your peace,
from ‘Gather Australia’, 516
Leader:During Lent we often hear about
the importance of compassion, but
sometimes we don’t take time to really
think about what it means. The word
compassion comes from two Latin
words: com meaning ‘together’ and pati
meaning ‘suffering’. So ‘compati’ (and
the noun compassion) mean ‘suffering
together’.
In this era of global networking, when
one nation or community experiences
a war or a disaster, we all hear about
it. We have a choice to make. We can
either ignore the suffering of others
and go about our lives as before, or we
can respond compassionately to their
needs.
But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness
does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory,
so that the Son of God may be glorified through
it.’ Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and
her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that
Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the
place where he was.
Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go
to Judea again.’
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had
already been in the tomb for four days. When
Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went
and met him, while Mary stayed at home.
Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died. But even now I
know that God will give you whatever you ask of
him.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’
Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again
in the resurrection on the last day.’
Let us pray...
That during Lent we will allow
ourselves to enter into the struggles
and difficulties of others. Help us Lord
to learn to have compassion for those
around us, and not to be afraid to suffer
with them.
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the
life. Those who believe in me, even though they
die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes
in me will never die. Do you believe this?’
She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are
the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming
into the world.’
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who
came with her also weeping, he was greatly
disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said,
‘Where have you laid him?’
They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus
began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he
loved him! ’But some of them said, ‘Could not he
who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept
this man from dying?’
16
have said this for the sake of the crowd standing
here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’
When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice,
‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his
hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and
his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them,
‘Unbind him, and let him go.’
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the
tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against
it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’
Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him,
‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has
been dead for four days.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you
believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So
they took away the stone. And Jesus looked
upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having
heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with
Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in
him.
Case study: Typhoon Bopha, the Philippines, December 2012
Typhoon Bopha struck the Philippines just
three weeks before Christmas, 2012. With
winds reported at 250 km/hr, it was a category
5 ‘super typhoon’. About 30,000 families were
forced to evacuate their homes, both before
and during the storm. Typhoon Bopha caused
severe flooding, huge damage to homes,
electrical outages, and over 300 deaths.
Catholic Relief Services (a Caritas agency in
the United States) responded initially with
emergency relief including the provision of
shelter, sleeping mats, water, sanitation and
hygiene supplies for the worst affected areas.
Sergio Ampong (76) speaks with Rocky Silverio of Caritas
Philippines about his new home in Davao Oriental built by
Caritas following Typhoon Bopha. Photo: Mark Mitchell.
Reflection
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand (CANZ) sent a
project officer to the Davao Oriental Province
a few months after the typhoon, and then
another in July 2013. The project officers
helped to assess the extent of the disaster
and this led to an appeal back in New Zealand.
Donations to CANZ always go to help a local
partner in the affected zone; in this case
the Diocese of Davao Oriental and Caritas
Philippines. This is because those working on
the ground already have a relationship with
the disaster victims and can empathise with
people who have lost family and homes. The
relief workers are sometimes even affected by
the disaster themselves. In the photo below,
Rocky Silverio is a community mobiliser. He
and the man he is speaking to have both
received new homes built by Caritas.
Watching people who are suffering or in
difficulty can make us feel uncomfortable. The
problem often seems so big and overwhelming
that it is easier to turn our backs than to try to
help. We often just feel grateful that it isn’t us
in that terrible situation.
Jesus never turned his back on people. He
went to be with Mary and Martha in their
time of sadness over the death of Lazarus. But
Jesus knew he could do something to help
Martha and Mary. What can students in New
Zealand do to help victims of natural disasters
overseas?
We can do a lot. We can pray for the people
who are rebuilding their homes and for the
aid agencies that are helping them. We can
17
contribute money to relief appeals. We can
learn about the people that live in this place so
that our hearts are open to them.
For those we know who struggle every day
with illness or family stresses.
In our daily lives we will come across many
people who are experiencing smaller struggles.
Our open hearts will mean that we are not
afraid to support them in their difficulties. We
will be available to listen and be a shoulder to
cry on. This is how we build stronger human
communities.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
May they feel supported by us, their friends.
For ourselves, when we experience grief
and loss. That we will allow ourselves time
to grieve and during this time we will have
friends and family to support us.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
Intercessions
For those whose lives have been turned
upside-down by natural disasters.
Caritas Prayer
May they have the time and support they need
to grieve and to rebuild.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
E te Wairua Tapu, Holy Spirit: You are always
present, even in the midst of death and
destruction. May we never fail to be deeply
disturbed and moved to action by human
suffering.
Aftermath of Cyclone Bopha. View of damaged houses in one of the villages in Cateel, Compostela Valley, Philippines.
18
Junior primary school
There was a soft sound and Lazarus shuffled
out into the sunshine still bound up in grave
clothes.
Scripture adapted for younger children from
The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories
Gospel story
The raising of Lazarus – alive again!
People in shock took of the strips of linen that
covered his face and hands and feet. Lazarus
had returned to life!
One day, Lazarus became ill. As he grew worse,
Martha and Mary, his sisters, were beside
themselves with worry. The doctor could do
nothing to help and shook his head sadly.
Everyone began to hug one another saying,
‘Jesus must be the Messiah. Look at what he
has done!’
‘Jesus could make him better,’ Mary said. So
the sisters told a messenger, ‘Tell Jesus that his
dear friend is ill.’
Jesus was very fond of Lazarus and his two
sisters so when he heard the bad news he
became very concerned. But he told them,
‘Death will not be the end for Lazarus. This
illness is going to bring glory to God and to his
Son.’
Two days later Jesus and the disciples set off
for Bethany. By the time they arrived Lazarus
had been dead for four whole days. The house
was full of mourners.
Kia inoi tātou – Let us pray
For the sick people who are in our parish or
who belong to our school community. May
they get strong and well again.
Martha rushed out to meet Jesus on the road
and told him that Lazarus would not have died
if he had been there earlier. Jesus replied,
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
‘Martha, I am the resurrection and the life. The
person who believes in me will live again even
though he has died. Do you believe that?’
For the people who have been affected by
natural disasters and who need shelter and
medicines and food. May we help them by our
prayers.
Martha answered, ‘I believe that you are God’s
son the promised Messiah.’
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
Martha ran to tell Mary and then they all went
to the rocky grave to weep. Jesus cried too
because death brings sadness to everyone.
For those who have died (names) and gone
back to God. May we remember them and
their loving families and friends in our prayers.
‘Show me his grave,’ said Jesus. Then he
instructed them to take away the stone that
blocked the grave entrance and he prayed to
his Father.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
Jesus called out, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ Everyone
held their breath in silence to see what would
happen.
19
Week Six The passion of Christ
Leader:Sign of the Cross: Ki te ingoa o te Matua,
o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu.
Song:Till the end of time, Michael Mangan,
from ‘Sing Your Joy’.
Leader:As we begin Holy Week we remember
that this is the most important week
of the Church’s year. We walk with
Jesus through his suffering, death
and resurrection so that we will be
transformed into ‘Good News people’
who can bring love and hope to others.
Let us pray,
That we will open our hearts to Jesus
in a special way this week, and come
closer to Him.
Gospel: Matthew 27: 11-14, 24, 2737,45-54 (extended reading Matt 26:14
-27:66)
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the
governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the
Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ But when he was
accused by the chief priests and elders, he did
not answer. Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not
hear how many accusations they make against
you?’ But he gave him no answer, not even to a
single charge, so that the governor was greatly
amazed.
So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but
rather that a riot was beginning, he took some
water and washed his hands before the crowd,
saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to
it yourselves.’
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into
the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered
the whole cohort around him. They stripped him
and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting
some thorns into a crown, they put it on his
head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt
20
before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King
of the Jews!’ They spat on him, and took the
reed and struck him on the head. After mocking
him, they stripped him of the robe and put his
own clothes on him. Then they led him away to
crucify him.
As they went out, they came upon a man from
Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man
to carry his cross. And when they came to a place
called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),
they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall;
but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And
when they had crucified him, they divided his
clothes among themselves by casting lots; then
they sat down there and kept watch over him.
Over his head they put the charge against him,
which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’
From noon on, darkness came over the whole
land until three in the afternoon. And about
three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli,
Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the
bystanders heard it, they said, ‘This man is calling
for Elijah.’ At once one of them ran and got a
sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick,
and gave it to him to drink. But the others said,
‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save
him.’ Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and
breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of
the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The
tombs also were opened, and many bodies of
the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
After his resurrection they came out of the
tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to
many. Now when the centurion and those with
him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw
the earthquake and what took place, they were
terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’
Case study: Solomon Islands education projects
‘Today too, amid so much darkness, we need
to see the light of hope and to be men and
women who bring hope to others. To protect
creation, to protect every man and every
woman, to look upon them with tenderness
and love, is to open up a horizon of hope; it is
to let a shaft of light break through the heavy
clouds; it is to bring the warmth of hope!’
The story of Jesus doesn’t end in despair, but
in hope. We know that three days after his
death, Jesus rises again.
Sometimes communities and countries can
experience this same kind of dying and rising.
Solomon Islands has recently been through
a time of conflict between different ethnic
groups. It was already a poor country, and this
fighting made it difficult for people to improve
their lives.
This Lent we are called to be people who
bring hope to the world. We can bring hope
to those around us by showing them concern
and love. We can bring hope to those who live
a long way away from us by being generous
and sharing what we have with them in our
fundraising efforts.
Now the conflict is over, one of the main things
that gives hope to Solomon Islanders is seeing
their children going to school. They know that
education will help them to learn new ways of
doing things and new ways of looking at the
problems faced by their country. They know
that education will give their children more
opportunities.
Intercessions
For those who live in countries where there is
great poverty and suffering.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is supporting
partners in Solomon Islands to improve their
ability to deliver good education programmes.
This lent the Caritas donations will go towards
early childhood education teacher training,
equipment for rural training centres and
support to the Aruligo Centre for the Deaf.
May they receive help from Caritas and other
aid agencies so that they can rebuild their lives.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
For those who are sad because someone they
love has died.
By supporting the education of Solomon Islands’
children and young people we can help to open
up new horizons for them and for their country.
May they be comforted by their hope in the
resurrection and eternal life.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
Reflection
As we reflect this week on the terrible things
that happened to Jesus on Good Friday, we
should always remember that this is not the
end of the story. After all the horror of the
crucifixion, there is the joy and the hope of the
resurrection.
For ourselves, when we become discouraged
by the difficulties of life.
Sometimes when things in our own lives
seem bleak and sad, we can hold on to God’s
promise of new life for us also.
Caritas prayer
May we turn to God and find hope.
Leader: E te Ariki
All: Whakarongo mai ki a mātou
E te Atua, you are the God who brings life out
of death. In the midst of darkness you open up
a horizon of hope for the world. Through our
prayers, our self-sacrifices and our almsgiving,
help us to become people who bring hope to
others.
Hope is an important gift of God to us. In the
Bible, St Paul reminds us that the greatest gifts
are faith, hope and love. In his first homily,
Pope Francis wrote about hope. He said...
21
Junior primary school
That is why we call the day of his death
GOOD Friday.
Gospel story
Passion Week
Extract from The Easter Story by Joy Cowley.
Pleroma Press, Otane, 2011.
Because Jesus said that loving kindness was
more important than laws and rules, some of
the law-keepers became angry.
Sing to the tune of ‘Make me an instrument of
peace.’
‘This man is dangerous,’ they said and they
plotted to kill him.
Jesus knew that he would be killed and he
knew death was not the end. He would rise up
from the tomb to show that death was a new
beginning.
While Jesus had God knowledge in him, he
was also fully human, and afraid of the pain
he would suffer. His followers were scared too.
When their Master was arrested most of them
ran away.
All this was meant to be.
Jesus had to know betrayal, fear, loneliness,
hurt, all the painful feelings that people
experience, so that in the future, his Spirit
could be with us, comforting us in our fear,
loneliness and pain.
22
He died for me,
He died for me.
Jesus is Lord,
And he died for me.
I know he cares,
I know he cares,
I know he cares,
For he died for me.
Kia inoi tātou – Let us pray
Loving God, you gave us the gift of your son
that all our sins may be forgiven. Help us to
show our love by living lives of forgiveness for
others. Amen.
The way of the Cross
Prayer for protection
A powerpoint has been prepared for you to
download from our website. This can be used
for your class or the whole school. There are 15
stations on the Way of the Cross. Each station
has two slides. One slide tells the story of the
particular station and the second slide has a
reflection for us to consider today. Caritas staff
members have taken the photos on their various
work projects showing areas where we work to
address issues of need.
God our Father
Our strength in adversity
Our health in weakness
Our comfort in sorrow
Be merciful to your people.
No one is a stranger to you and no one is ever far
from your loving care.
Hear the cries of your people in times of distress.
In your kindness, watch over those whose lives
have been devastated by recent natural disasters.
Bring them back safely to the place they long
to be so that they may rebuild their homes and
their lives. Help us to show your kindness to
those in need.
The stations can conclude with the Prayer
for Protection. This is prayed every day by
St. Anthony’s church community in Seatoun,
Wellington. Especially in the uncertainty of life
and the crosses that our children and students
may experience in their own lives, this prayer
can be reassuring to demonstrate that our faith
provides strength for all to embrace.
Heavenly Father, all the elements of nature obey
your command. Calm those that threaten us so
that we may continue to enjoy the magnificence
of your creation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
To locate this resource, go to: www.caritas.org.
nz/schools/lent-schools
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen
23
Links with Week 1
Links with Week 2
Towards the sky
Psalm 121 – The Lord, our protector
Wind
waves
flax
children
birds
cats and bouncing balls.
I look to the mountains;
where will my help come from?
My help will come from the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not let you fall;
your protector is always awake.
The protector of Israel
never dozes or sleeps.
The Lord will guard you;
he is by your side to protect you.
The sun will not hurt you during the day,
nor the moon during the night.
The Lord will protect you from all danger;
he will keep you safe.
He will protect you as you come and go
now and forever.
The desert sound is the sound of no sound.
Wind
sand
stars
stones
cactus
grass and sheltering sky.
Here
or there
it is possible to lean the heart towards the sky
and hear
what it is most necessary to hear.
Good News Bible.
Anne Powell, Tree of a Thousand Voices, Steele Roberts
Publishers, 2010.
For Ash Wednesday
God says:
Remember,
It is no good saying your prayers to me,
If you go on hurting each other,
Or if you keep on arguing and fighting,
And punching each other.
You must share things.
You must feed the hungry,
And get houses for the poor people,
And buy clothes for the people who haven’t got
enough.
If you do this,
You will make the whole world bright,
You will be like the sun
That fills the sky with light each morning.
Quote from St Clare of Assisi
Go forth without fear,
for he who created you
has made you holy,
has always protected you,
and loves you as a mother.
Witnesses to the light
Jesus, our guide,
You show us the path of goodness and love,
and call us to follow in your way.
Help us to build a world where everyone has enough,
a world of plenty, fairness and faith.
May the light of your truth shine through us.
Amen
Adapted from Isaiah 58:3,4,7,8.
24
Links with Week 4
One world, many cultures
God, you made us all to live in one world,
although we come from many different
backgrounds and cultures.
Thank you for diversity within the one
human race.
I have a neat group of friends,
many were born here,
but some have come from other countries.
Thank you for these special friends.
Links with Week 3
Sometimes we notice great differences in
our ways of doing things,
in our family customs,
in the ways we express our faith,
but underneath these differences my friends
are pretty like me.
We share the same hopes, the same fears,
the same dreams.
The man at the well
I came to the well,
I was dry, dry, dry;
I came to the well,
too dry to cry, cry, cry,
I came to the well
too lonely for tears;
I came to the well
with my bucket of fears.
Help me always to respect those who come
from different cultures,
and to offer friendship and understanding,
so that we overcome racism,
and we work together in harmony,
for the good of all your world.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
And, there sat a man.
He was poor, poor, poor.
and, there sat a man,
A stranger for sure, sure, sure.
And that man as he sat
asked me for a drink.
I who was dry!
What was I to think?
Used with the permission of the authors, Rosemary and
Peter Atkins, from Cool Prayers – Everyday Prayers for
Young People, distributed by Pleroma Press, 38 Higginson
Street, Otane 4202, New Zealand. Copies may be ordered
by email: [email protected].
Then he offered me drink
from his heart, heart, heart.
My mind was amazed!
Could hope start, start, start?
Then, he told me the truth
of God’s loving ways.
I will follow that man
to the end of my days.
Published in The True Dawn, Sister Isabelle SM
(Barbara Jean Harding), Marist Sisters 2008.
25
Links with Week 5
Links with Week 6
God’s world
Sadness and joy at Easter
When I watch the news on TV
the world you made, God,
seems to be in crisis.
Jesus our Saviour we remember
that this was a special week for you –
from Palm Sunday to Easter Day.
Help us to follow your journey
from the shouts of praise to the cries of pain,
and then to your new greeting of peace at Easter.
With your Son Jesus Christ I pray
for the world you still love.
Restrain its violence and its plunder,
point out to nations
the stupidity of fighting and greed,
guide our leaders
in the ways of peace and conservation.
Thank you for bringing us forgiveness by your
Cross,
And new life and undying hope by your rising
again.
Support the needy,
feed the hungry,
comfort the crying,
and uphold those working
to build community
and to care for creation.
And as I pray like this,
I know I must be part
of the answer to our prayers.
This Easter help me
to be among those disciples
who believe in you,
and commit their lives to you
for the journey to heaven.
Help me to be a partner with you in your world
and to act with your wisdom and love,
so that the world follows your plan –
where all creatures have their place,
and all people live in harmony,
and your kingdom comes on earth,
as your will is done in heaven.
Easter
Used with the permission of the authors, Rosemary and Peter
Atkins, from Prayer Kids, distributed by Pleroma Press, 38
Higginson Street, Otane 4202, New Zealand. Copies may be
ordered by email: [email protected].
Used with the permission of the authors, Rosemary and Peter
Atkins, from Cool Prayers – Everyday Prayers for Young People,
distributed by Pleroma Press, 38 Higginson Street, Otane 4202,
New Zealand. Copies may be ordered by email: sales@pleroma.
org.nz.
26
This Easter we weep among trees
at the tomb’s entrance.
Autumn heralds the divesting of leaves
that clutch at our hearts.
Angels might cloud the tomb’s entrance yet.
Everyone has a silver lining.
This is the wisdom of trees.
Anne Powell, Tree of a Thousand Voices, Steele Roberts
Publishers, 2010.
Prayer to Mary
Mary, help our faith!
Open our ears to hear God’s word and to
recognise his voice and call.
Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps,
reaching out to others.
Help us to be touched by his love, that we may
touch him in faith.
Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to
believe in his love, especially at times of
trial, beneath the shadow of the cross, when our
faith is called to grow.
Jelly bean prayer
Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made,
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black is for the sins that were made
White is for the grace He gave,
Purple is for the hour of sorrow,
Pink is for the new tomorrow.
Give a bag full of jelly beans,
Colorful and sweet,
Tell them it’s a Prayer...It’s a promise...
It’s an Easter Treat!
Give us a joyful faith in the Risen One.
Remind us that those who believe are never
alone.
Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus,
that he may be light for our path. And may this
light of faith continue to grow in us.
Amen
Adapted from Lumen Fidei – The Light of Faith, Pope Francis,
29 June, 2013.
Karakia o te Aranga – Easter prayer
E te Atua, nāu te matenga i raupatu, ā,
i huakina te ara ki te oranga tonutanga.
Ka īnoi nei mātou,
whakaae mai mō mātou e whakanui ana i te
Aranga ake o te Ariki,
mā te mahi whakahōu a te Wairua, kia ara i te
māramatanga o te ora.
Mā te Karaiti to mātou Ariki.
Āmene
Source: http://catholicicing.com/jelly-bean-prayer/
From ‘The Easter Story’
(After the resurrection) Jesus himself came to see
his friends.
He looked different. When he spoke to them,
their God spark burned with a bright God light.
‘I told you I would rise again,’ he said.
Jesus stayed with his friends for a while,
and then he went beyond their vision.
His death and resurrection meant that his Spirit
could be everywhere at once,
helping people to grow.
‘Behold, I am with you always,’
He promised. ‘Even to the end of the world.’
English translation:
O God, you have conquered death
and opened/unlocked for us the path to eternity/
eternal life.
Grant, we pray, that we who celebrate the Lord’s
resurrection
May, through renewal by your Spirit, rise up in
the light of life.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Extract from The Easter Story by Joy Cowley.
Pleroma Press, Otane, 2011.
The Roman Missal (Third Typical Edition), 2010.
27
0pen up a horizon of hope
-U tonu ki te pae o te tu-manako
Pope Francis
28
www.caritas.org.nz