1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Lent 2013
Prayers for
School Settings
DESIGN: BERNICE OLIVE, Y13 SACRED HEART COLLEGE, LOWER HUTT
Autumn Lent by Romuald Gibson fms
Our Aotearoa Lent
is an Autumn season, Lord,
when the earth is spent,
its bounty poured out in harvest
the in-gathering of grain and fruit and hay,
of kumara and crops rooted
in the warm, patient and provident soil.
We, in our worship,
are out of rhythm with our earth:
we celebrate no harvest festival
that pities the earth’s passion
in wonder and thanks and love.
But Lent, at least, is a slowing,
a pause, when the thought of your suffering, Jesus,
is hung like a tapestry before our eyes,
and your love blazes through the pain,
as sunset over a clouded sea.
The earth’s autumn exhaustion
echoes your words from the cross,
‘Father I have finished the work you gave me to do’
and autumn rains, Rangi’s tears,
fall on the face of our fields
as Mary’s tears mingled with the blood
of your face, asleep in death, my Lord.
Even as earth, bled of life,
lies in a coma of exhaustion,
deep down, mysterious, inexhaustible,
life-forces stir to revive, to restore
the spent fertility;
and in Lent,
the same revitalizing,
re-charging, re-invigorating Spirit works,
even in our weakness and apathy.
In our Autumn-Lent ,
Re-empower us, Spirit of Life.
Table of contents
Introduction 2
About this prayer booklet 3
Ash Wednesday 4
Week 1 Choosing the right path
8
Week 2
Week 3
Revealing the truth
10
Speaking out for others
12
Week 4
Loving unconditionally
14
Week 5
Recognising human dignity
16
Week 6
The passion of Christ
18
The Stations of the Cross introduction
19
Additional resources
Turn these stones into bread
Stones
The time of quiet
Star-maps
Life chance
Faith
Blessing for the planting of a tree
Graces
Paua
Your heart, my heart
I believe
Morning offering
New life blessing 20
20
21
21
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
24
Acknowledgements
25
Books that may be useful
for ongoing reflection
The woven flax kete by Angie Belcher. Raupo Publishing (NZ) Ltd, 2003
Prayer for the 21st century by John Marsden. Star Bright Books, 1998.
Tangaroa’s gift by Mere Whaanga-Schollum. Ashton Scholastic, 1990.
The tale of the three trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt. Lion Publishing, 1989.
Introduction
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. The call to fullness of life, the
sharing in the very life of God, endows every human life
with inestimable value and an innate and sacred dignity.
Our Lady of Peace, in whom all storms grow still,
Pray at the dawn of the new millennium
That the Church in Oceania will not cease to show
forth the glorious face of your Son, full of grace and
truth, so that God will reign in the hearts of the
Pacific peoples and they will find peace in the world’s
true Saviour, plead for the Church in Oceania that
she may have the strength
to follow faithfully the way of Jesus Christ
to tell courageously the truth of Jesus Christ
to live joyfully the life of Jesus Christ
O help of Christians, protect us.
Bright Star of Sea, guide us, Our Lady of Peace,
pray for us.
From the Apostolic Letter - Ecclesia in Oceania 2001
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.
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 Aotearoa New Zealand, in the Pacific, in Africa
and Asia. We work in partnership with impoverished
communities throughout the world, and through
advocacy and education for justice here at home.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand acknowledges all the
people who have contributed to the content of this
booklet. We hope that it will be used by teachers
throughout Lent to guide and encourage, and help
develop empathy towards those who are living in
poverty and oppression. Please help us to continue our
work. Thank you.
Our focus this Lent are two Caritas partnerships in
Oceania. 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. Inspired by the
text below we are positively seeking a ‘sea change’ in
Oceania.
2
About this Prayer Booklet
The Cross
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. There
are ideas for focus, symbolic action and prayers with
suggestions for use at various class levels. These ideas
could be used for assemblies, class lessons, staff or team
meetings.
The Lenten cross is used as a
symbol of the school journey
through Lent, from Ash Wednesday
through to the Stations of the
Cross in Holy Week. It can be used
in some resurrected form when the
school returns after Easter. It can
become a ’living symbol’ for display
at assemblies, staff meetings or
around the classrooms to connect
with the prayer focus.
Prayer styles, both traditional and cultural, include:
prayers of reconciliation, meditation, photo meditation,
Lectio Divina, blessings, music and prayer symbols.
Additional poems and prayers which teachers and
students may like to include in their liturgies during the
week can be found at the end of this booklet.
The cross can be decorated to reflect each Sunday
gospel reading and could link with the school’s mission
statement, Gospel values, founding charism and Catholic
character goals.
Lent waiata
Each week everyone could sing the following adaptation of the waiata E te Atua (tune of Kum Ba Yah).

   


7
E Te Atua

G D
   
     
D
D

G
      
 
D

 Em A7
        
Em
D
   

Follow faithfully
Tell courageously (Children’s version ‘Tell truthfully’)
Live joyfully in Jesus Christ x2
Ake, ake tonu e, ake, ake tonu e
OR
Kia pono te whai atu,
Kia māia te whakapuaki,
Kia harikoa te manawa i Hēhu Karaiti
Ake, ake tonu e, ake, ake tonu e
Use this resource from the web
You may prefer to use the electronic version of this booklet from the Caritas website.
Go to http://www.caritas.org.nz/schools/lent-schools
3
A7
D
  

Ash Wednesday
The following may be used as Liturgy of the Word or
as part of an Ash Wednesday Eucharist. For Catholic
primary schools Y1-6, some adaptation of the prayers
will be needed.
Focus
Note: Instructions are in (brackets).
Responses together in bold.
Ideas more suitable for younger children in
shaded sections.
Leader could be a student.
Leader:
The Cross you have prepared.
Introduction
On Ash Wednesday we are marked with an ash cross
to celebrate the beginning of the journey of Lent. In
this Year of Faith may we at (your school) link with all
parishes and Catholic schools throughout Aotearoa New
Zealand in responding to the invitation to participate
in the Lenten theme, which will guide us in our prayer,
penance and promises. May we …
follow faithfully, tell courageously, and live joyfully
kia pono te whai atu, kia māia te whakapuaki, kia
harikoa te manawa
Preparation
You will need:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Two Ponga logs
tied to form a cross
or bare branches
covered in chicken
wire or some other
natural feature in
the shape of a cross.
It is best if it is portable throughout Lent as it will
form the focus for all prayer and reflection times.
Ashes prepared
Lent poster
Bible with Scripture reading prepared
Rehearse the Lent waiata E Te Atua. (See in About
this prayer booklet)
Three students prepared to lead sections
Purple cloth with Pasifika/Māori pattern or hessian
with handprints/black crosses representing classes.
(Two students process in with Caritas Lenten Poster
and hang it on the Cross. Procession of statements
about Lent as liturgy leader reads them out. Place these
statements around the foot of the cross.)
Leader:
• Lent is a time we spend preparing for Easter.
• Lent is a time when we reflect on our relationships
with family, friends and even people around the
world that we know about but have never met.
• Lent is a time when we give out to others from what
we give up in money, time, resources and aroha.
• Lent is a good time for reconciliation-houhou rongo.
Later on in our Liturgy we will be signed with an Ash
Cross to symbolize our commitment to the journey of
Lent, but to begin our prayer we make the sign of the
Cross in the usual manner.
All: Ki te ingoa o te Matua, o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua
Tapu, Āmene.
4
Opening prayer
Student 3:
E te Wairua Tapu-Holy Spirit who inspires us to
tell courageously the words of forgiveness and
reconciliation, be present in our conversations about:
• people who govern us
• those who make laws and policies
• teachers in schools and colleges
• people in churches and communities
• ways we honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• ways we learn from our past mistakes
• how we make efforts to include others
• ways we do our best to seek reconciliation
Leader:
Kia īnoi tātou - Let us pray.
God of love and care
We come to listen to your words in Scripture and in
those around us.
During Lent, teach us to be true friends of one another
and especially those who are in need.
Guide us in being generous and forgiving.
May we follow faithfully, tell courageously and live joyfully
the Good News of Jesus Christ who came to bring arohalove, tika-justice, and rangimārie-peace to our world.
We pray this in Jesus’ name.
All: Amen.
All: We ask for wisdom and awareness of the power in
our words and actions.
All Sing: E te Atua version of Lenten theme or suitable
school song. (See About this Prayer Booklet, p3.)
Blessing of the Lenten cross (Primary)
Reflection (Secondary)
Leader:
• Every time we make the Sign of the Cross + may
we take a moment to remember the Ash Cross
we said Amen/Yes to.
• Every time we trace the Gospel Cross + on our
forehead, lips and heart may we remember some
of Jesus’ special words to us in the Bible and our
special prayer and promise words to Him.
• Every time we see a Cross + in our School, Parish
and at home may it remind us to follow Jesus on
this Lenten Journey in our ways, words, work and
witness.
Student 1:
E tō mātou Matua i te rangi creator of all, we ask for
the awareness, sensitivity and generous use of our
time, talent and treasure. In witnessing with others the
wonders of Your creation may we enable, empower and
enthuse all to live joyfully by:
• walking gently on Your earth
• recycling
• preserving and protecting
• honouring te whenua
• imagining and realising solutions to global warming
• respecting all of life on earth
• honouring the tapu and mana of he tangata-your
people
• accepting graciously and sharing generously, the gift
of being co-creators.
All Sing:
These Hands by Andrew Chinn or I have decided to
follow Jesus or song of your choice.
Blessing
May this Lenten Cross
Remind us that we belong to Jesus. (Hand point to the
cross)
All: We ask for peace and forgiveness to start anew.
Student 2:
E Hēhu Karaiti-Jesus Christ, healer of division and source
of peace, we ask for the commitment to follow you
faithfully by recognising your face in:
• the poor
• the marginalised
• the imprisoned
• those struggling with addictions
• people who are homeless
• children who feel worthless
• people whose culture is not valued
• people who suffer from broken promises
• families torn by conflict
• men and women who stand up for truth and what
is right.
May this Lenten Cross
Remind us that we travel this Lenten journey
with Jesus in our minds, eyes, ears, mouths and
hearts. (Hands make the + on head/lips/heart)
May this Lenten Cross
Remind us that Jesus will help us to
Follow +His way with patience and promise
Speak +His words with truth
Live +His life with joy. (Make a cross shape with both
hands down from head, out to shoulders, down to
feet. Then jump up hands in the air with a loud … )
Yes – Amen!
All: We are sorry and ask for your healing.
5
Scripture reading
Choose from :
Joel 2:12-18
Psalm 51:1-12
2 Cor 5:20-21,6.2
Matt 6: 1-6, 16-18
View Power point from Caritas Lent resources from the
website. Caritas and Lent 2013
Go to www.caritas.org.nz/schools/lent-schools
Distribution of the ashes
(Suggested spoken words as the person marks the cross
on each forehead.)
For junior children ‘Love and follow Jesus’.
For older students ‘Turn away from sin and be faithful to
the Gospel’.
or
‘Follow faithfully, tell courageously, live joyfully the life of
Jesus’.
Lenten Promise
(Lenten promise recited and purple cloth of signed
handprints or hessian cloth with black crosses
representing each child draped around cross.)
Leader:
The Lenten Promise of our ……………………………………
School for 2013.
Closing Prayer
Leader:
God of Reconciliation, we know that Jesus came to bring
us closer to You and one another. May the many peoples
within our own country, in Oceania, and in all nations be
given the courage to live in cooperation and rangimariepeace. May who we are and what we give to others this
Lent truly help to make the world a better place.
All: This Lent we promise to follow faithfully the way
of Jesus Christ, speak courageously the truth of Jesus
Christ, and live joyfully the life of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
or
A blessing for navigating Lent 2013 in the wairua of
Oceania.
As we start out on our Lenten Journey
May we be blessed with
Special brushings of
earth, sea and sky.
May we be blessed with
Songs of
bird, wave and wind.
May we be blessed with
Stitchings of
Path, tide and cloud.
As we follow, speak and live the way of Jesus Christ.
Play selection of instrumental music to close.
See ideas for kete cross on p17.
6
Selection of prayers and reflections
following Ash Wednesday
(Prayers based on the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
2013
Let us pray that this Lent
there is a time for everything;
A time for giving birth, a time for dying
A time for planting
A time for harvesting
A time for healing.
Gracious God hear us.
Response: Gracious God hear our prayer for Lent
Follow faithfully
Tell courageously
We pray that there will be
A time for knocking down
A time for building
A time for tears
A time for laughter.
God of celebration hear us.
Response: God of celebration hear our prayer for Lent
live joyfully
We pray for
A time for grieving
A time for dancing
A time for throwing away
A time for keeping.
God of wisdom hear us.
Response: God of wisdom hear our prayer for Lent
— EcclEsia in OcEania
an aPPeal on behalf of the
new Zealand catholic bishoPs conference
We pray for awareness of
A time for being quiet
A time for speaking
A time for tearing
A time for sewing
A time for loving
A time for hating.
God of creation hear us.
Response: God of creation hear our prayer for Lent
A time of searching
A time of stillness
A time of noticing
A time of nurturing
A time of action
A time of almsgiving
A time of penance, prayer and praise.
God of seasons hear our prayer.
Response: God of seasons hear our prayer for Lent
7
Please give
generously so we
can helP others
helP themselves
First Sunday of Lent: The temptation of Jesus
A reading from the Gospel of Luke,
chapter 4, verses 1 to 13.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for
forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing
at all during those days and when they were over he was
famished.
•
The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God,
command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ But
Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by
bread alone”.’
•
focus a purple wool or string
cross shape (see image as
a guide) with Caritas Koha
box, envelope for Week 1 at
foot of the cross. Bread could
be broken and shared at an
appropriate time.
At the end of the prayers of
reconciliation each student
takes a stone and puts it into a cross shape – older
students could say a word of caring with their stone.
Coins could be placed into the Caritas Koha box.
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant
all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him,
‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for
it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I
please. If you then worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus
answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your
God, and serve only him.”’
Background - Choosing the right path
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on
the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are Son
of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written:
“He will command his angels concerning you, to protect
you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, so
that you will not dash your foot against a stone”.’ Jesus
answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God
to the test”.’
Stone can also be a taonga-treasure which is used to
enhance the tapu and mana of people, places and
things. Here in Aotearoa-New Zealand our pounamugreenstone is worn with pride as a true sacred taonga.
Stone can also be mis-used to hurt, tear down, damage,
harden or even imprison.
Both symbols of ‘stone’ and ‘bread’ can be used in a
positive and a negative way.
Stone can be used as a strong foundation or wall on
which to build up buildings, people, community for
protection.
Bread can nourish, fill-up hunger, be shared and
appreciated in all its wonderful shapes and forms. The
yeast helps it expand, shape and increase for people to
share. It can also have ingredients, which are not good
for everyone, and it only has a limited life because it can
go stale, mouldy, out of shape and inedible.
When the devil had finished every test, he departed
from him until an opportune time.
WEEK 1 Choosing the right path
Together these can symbolise for us the need to balance
‘bread’ and ‘stones’ to build up the Kingdom of God
here on earth. We need to be building ‘living stones’ and
breaking and sharing the ‘bread of life’.
Focus
Foyer and other spaces
• Large cross (see intro) draped with hessian with ash
crosses or cultural material from Ash Wednesday
with Caritas poster in centre and stones decorated
with caring words at the base.
• Links with school values, rules or motto displayed
somewhere near.
Response
Leader:
E Hēhu Karaiti-Jesus Christ, our way, our truth, our
life, You showed us courage and strength in not giving
into the temptation in the desert. Even when You were
starving you didn’t let your personal needs take over
Your faith and belief. You have given us a great example
of being true to God’s Way of being faithful and lifegiving.
Classroom
• Hessian cloth with Lenten ash crosses from Ash
Wednesday circled by stones – 1 for each person.
• Basket of pita bread /other bread. In the centre of
8
Prayers of Reconciliation
The ‘stone of temptation’ could have resulted in
them losing the land they use for food growing to
sustain lives for future generations. To give them
hope for the future, we need to support them with
the ‘bread’ of sharing our our prayer and koha. Let’s
link in prayer with the people of Kapo as we pray.
(These could form the basis of a Rite 2 Reconciliation
Liturgy. Text in bold all respond. WORDS IN BLUE are the
simple responses from younger children.)
1. When we are tempted to harden our hearts with
the stone of resentment and anger...
All: Jesus, help us to be like bread, softened with
‘letting go’ of our personal wants and needs.
2. When we are tempted to harden our hearts with
the stone of selfishness...
All: Jesus, help us to be like bread, broken and
shared with generosity.
3. When we are tempted to sharpen our hearts with
the stone of unkind words...
All: Jesus, help us to be like bread, sweetened with
toppings of kind, thankful words.
4. When we are tempted to throw the stone of blame
at others...
All: Jesus, help us to put all the crumbs and broken
pieces together in You our Living Bread.
Counting shell money, Kapo Island, Kimbe diocese,
Papua New Guinea.
Caritas prayer
Student: Lord Jesus, e te Ariki, you have shown us
the way of truth and light. Strengthen us by your
Spirit to choose the right path.
Blessing
CONNECTIONS TO CARITAS PARTNERS – THE
COMMUNITY OF KAPO IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
May we open our hearts of ‘selfish stone’ to becoming
‘generous bread’ in our Lenten sharing with the people
in Kapo, together with the whole of the Body of Christ.
May we honour the tapu and mana of each other by
faithfully following the Way of Jesus, courageously telling
the Truth of Jesus, living joyfully the Life of Jesus.
The Temptation – Being put to the test
All: Amen.
Leader:
The families of Kapo, an island village in Kimbe
diocese, Papua New Guinea had seen neighbouring
villages lose lands and a sense of community to
expanding government palm oil plantations. The
lure of easy short term money produced disastrous
consequences. This was not the future Kapo wanted,
so they asked for help.
Waiata (See p 3.)
Follow faithfully
Tell courageously (truthfully) children’s version
Live joyfully in Jesus Christ x2
Ake, ake tonu e, ake, ake tonu e
OR
Kia pono te whai atu,
Kia māia te whakapuaki,
Kia harikoa te manawa i Hēhu Karaiti
Ake, ake tonu e, ake, ake tonu e
In response a pilot income-generating project was set
up in Kapo supported by Caritas Papua New Guinea
and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. From an initial
planting of 20,000 cocoa and coconut seedlings
combined with taro, cassava, sweet potato and
vegetables, the Kapo community can generate enough
income to survive and thrive.
9
Second Sunday of Lent: The transfiguration of Jesus
Prayer Connections
A reading from the Gospel of Luke,
chapter 9, verses 28 to 36.
•
Now about eight days after these sayings, Jesus took
with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the
mountain to pray. While he was praying, the appearance
of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling
white.
Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking
to Jesus. They appeared in glory, and were speaking
of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in
Jerusalem.
•
•
Explore – new ways of including still, quiet spaces in
the school day.
Expand – places for prayer, outside. Plan prayer
wanders with school/class Lenten cross. Use prayer
symbols – stones, flowers, trees, water.
Encourage – more meditative preparation, gesture
and position – sit; still; silence; space.
Now Peter and his companions were weighed down
with sleep, but since they had stayed awake, they saw
his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as
Moses and Elijah were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him,
‘Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three
dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for
Elijah.’ He did not know what he was saying.
While Peter was saying this, a cloud came and
overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they
entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice
that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him!’
When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
The disciples kept silent and at that time they did not tell
anyone what they had seen.
WEEK 2 Revealing the truth
Focus
Prayer (Leader on alternate lines)
•
Be Still
In our minds and in our thinking
All: Be still and know that I am God
In our hearts and in our relating to one another
All: Be still and know that I am God
In our speaking, listening and reading
All: Be still and know that I am God
In sharing our gifting, our participating and our
contributing
All: Be still and know that I am God
In our attitude, our application, and our managing of
ourselves
All: Be still and know that I am God
In our care of each other and the earth
All: Be still and know that I am God.
•
•
•
Meditation ‘centering’ music and Power point
images. See Caritas photo gallery on the website
and/or the picture pack.
Lenten purple colours, textures in material and
symbols with Maori /Pasifika patterns.
Links with School mission statement and Catholic
character goals.
Set of Caritas Lent six-week pack of envelopes for
discussion of photos and prayers.
Lenten Cross
•
Form a cross shape this week in your classroom or
school space with some photos/pictures of places
from the Caritas Lenten picture resource, pictures
of local scenes of God’s Creation for a photo
meditation.
10
CONNECTIONS TO CARITAS PARTNERS – OUR
WORK IN SCHOOLS
The Transfiguration – They woke up
and saw His glory
Leader:
Jesus took Andrew, James and John to a quiet, still,
picturesque place up a mountain.
There He sat with them, shared with them and
prayed with them. Through His changed presence
He called them to overcome their fear and to go and
transform others with the love, light and life of His
presence.
During Lent, Jesus asks us too, to find time to ‘go
with Him’ to quiet places and spaces, to sit, share,
listen and just ‘Be still with Him’. Jesus asks us to
leave the busy-ness of our school day and go to
the ‘still space’ of being with Him in prayer and
reflection. Then, from the ‘still’ space of Jesus’
presence we go out and be Jesus’ hands and feet in
our school communities and those communities we
are supporting.
Blessing
Caritas’ education programme recognises the energy
and dynamism of young learners. We support them
as they encounter new experiences in social settings
and in times of solitude. Encouraged to remain still
in the presence of God, students can tune in to
‘My Son, the Chosen One’, who reveals to them the
meaning of ‘charity in truth’.
Bless us God with quiet places
Bless us God with still spaces
Transform us Jesus with warm words
to speak Your truth.
Transform us Jesus with helpful hearts
to follow Your way.
Inspire us Holy Spirit with fun, friends and family
to live joyfully Your life.
Inspire us Holy Spirit with Your peaceful presence
Amen
Waiata (See p 3.)
View across mountain valley, Bamyan province,
Afghanistan.
Caritas prayer
Student: God our Father, e te Matua, your truth
is revealed to us in quiet times of prayer and
reflection. Teach us to take the time in our lives to
recognise your Holy presence.
11
Third Sunday of Lent: The parable of the barren fig tree
WEEK 3 Speaking out for others
A reading from the Gospel of Luke,
chapter 13, verses 1 to 9.
Jesus was teaching the crowds. Some of those present
told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had
mingled with their sacrifices.
Focus
•
•
Jesus asked them, ‘Do you think that because these
Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners
than all the other Galileans? No, I tell you. But unless
you repent, you will all perish as they did.
•
Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of
Siloam fell on them – do you think that they were worse
offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I
tell you. But unless you repent, you will all perish as they
did.’
Then Jesus told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree
planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on
it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here!
For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig
tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be
wasting the soil?”
•
•
Dark coloured hessian. Earthy material.
Soil in a pot. Some dead looking plants which could
be brought back to life or some bulbs with lots of
brown, dry, layers. Discuss possibilities.
Some BIG Autumn leaves that can have prayers
written on them and used to: form a cross shape or
if planting a tree, prayer leaves be put in the hole
or tied on the school’s Lenten cross or on a tree in a
prayer space or around the playground.
Link with School Environmental /planting projects –
school gardens etc
Blessing for planting a Tree. See Additional
resources Week 3.
The gardener replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year,
until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears
fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it
down.”’
Background – Speaking out for others
Leader:
The ‘gardener’ in this Gospel has great hope that with
care, attention and constant nurturing the tree will
come alive and bear fruit. The ‘gardener’ believes in the
possibilities and potential of what he has planted.
So it is with us. God has given us many gifts, skills
and abilities. Sometimes we seem like ’dead wood’.
Sometimes we are bored, couldn’t care less and selfish.
Sometimes the love, care and encouragement of others
brings us ‘back to life’. Sometimes we are called by
our prayer, words and actions to stand up, speak out,
encourage and offer to provide help for the needs of
others.
Keeping watch at the fence, the Sahel, Niger.
12
•
CONNECTIONS TO CARITAS PARTNERS – WEST
PAPUA
The parable of the barren fig tree -–
Leave it one more year and give me
time.
•
Underline or write down a phrase which will help
you live like Jesus during the day. Carry in your
pocket or diary and examine/check out how you
went at the end of the day.
Create a wordfind/crossword/text message with the
reference or words from the reading.
Stand up and speak out
Our international advocacy work involves support
for justice and peace in places such as West Papua,
Sudan and the Holy Land. This work includes
solidarity visits, prayer, writing letters to those with
power and educative work within New Zealand to
raise people’s awareness.
When we hear the Word of God
Stand up, Speak out
with listening, love and learning.
When we hear the Word of God
Stand up, Speak out
With tika, pono and aroha.
Caritas is supporting people to ‘stand up’ and ‘speak
out’ for new approaches and solutions so that places
like West Papua can be places of peace.
When we hear the Word of God
Stand up, speak out
For what we believe in.
Let us join in with Caritas and the people of West
Papua by sowing ‘seeds of hope and new growth’
by our prayer and sharing generously our resources.
This week we remember people of West Papua.
When we hear the Word of God
Stand up, speak out
For those who are silent
about the suffering of others.
When we hear the Word of God
Stand up, speak out
For those whose lives have been
shattered by violence.
Protest gathering, West Papua.
When we hear the Word of God Stand up, speak out
Courageously the truth
of Jesus Christ.
Caritas prayer
Blessing – Sign of Peace
Student: Holy Spirit, e te Wairua Tapu, you plead for
us and you stir us to speak out. Open our eyes and
use us to strengthen and support your people – with
hope, courage and confidence.
Peace be with you (shake hands with the person beside
you)
Peace be with our brothers and sisters in West Papua
(join hands in silence)
Peace be with them
Peace be with us.
Amen.
Prayer connections
As we read from the Bible/Scripture passages this week
let us think about how we might ‘Stand up and speak
out’ some of the words, phrases and messages which
will help us to help ourselves and others to act like Jesus,
speak like Jesus and be like Jesus in all we say and do.
Suggestions:
• Use a word from the daily reading to be part of a
‘centering’ mantra for meditation.
All Sing: a peace song e.g. Peace is flowing or Shalom my
friends
Waiata (See p 3.)
13
Fourth Sunday of Lent: The parable of the lost son
A reading from the Gospel of Luke,
chapter 15, verses 1-3 and 11-32.
All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near
to listen to Jesus. The Pharisees and the scribes were
grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and
eats with them’.
So he told them a parable: ‘There was a man who had
two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father,
give me the share of the property that will belong to
me’. So the father divided his property between them.
A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and
travelled to a distant country. There he squandered his
property in dissolute living.
When he had spent everything, a severe famine took
place throughout that country, and he began to be in
need. So he hired himself out to a citizen of the country,
who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.
The young man would gladly have filled himself with
the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him
anything. When he came to himself he said, ‘How many
of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to
spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go
to my father and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned
against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy
to be called your son. Treat me like one of your hired
hands”.’
So he set off and went to his father. But while he was
still far off, his father saw him and was filled with
compassion. He ran and put his arms around him and
kissed him. Then the son said to him ‘Father, I have
sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer
worthy to be called your son. Treat me like one of your
hired hands’.
But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I
have been working like a slave for you and I have never
disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given
me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my
friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has
devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the
fatted calf for him!’
Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with
me and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate
and rejoice because this brother of yours was dead and
has come to life, he was lost and has been found”.’
WEEK 4 Loving unconditionally
Focus
•
•
•
•
But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a
robe – the best one – and put it on him; put a ring on his
finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and
kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this son of mine
was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found!’
And they began to celebrate.
Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came
and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
He called one of the slaves and asked what was going
on. The slave replied, ‘Your brother has come and your
father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him
back safe and sound’.
Then the elder son became angry and refused to go
in. His father came out and began to plead with him.
14
School Cross in foyer or other places. Follow the
idea of making a cross shape focus of food bank
donations in the classroom or appropriate area for
this theme of sharing with the needy in our school,
parish and wider communities.
Link with School pastoral
care plan, school Young
Vinnies, Parish St Vincent
de Paul
Large notice on a table –
FROM FAMINE TO FEAST!
Make a cross shape with
cans of food, and other
food items.
Pray one of the Graces
each day from the
Additional prayers for
week 4.
Background – Loving unconditionally
Leader:
Over 925 million people are going hungry. As Catholics
who are fed by Jesus in Word and Communion when
we celebrate the Eucharist-Mass we are called to see
Christ’s face in those who are hungry and to be Christ’s
Body of ‘nourishment’ to those who are starving.
In our Gospel this week we hear about the younger son
being so hungry that he’s prepared to eat pig food. He
was not only experiencing famine from a lack of food
but also a state of famine in his heart because of his silly
choices, his wasting money and his being unfaithful to
his family. Remembering and knowing that he was loved
helped him to make a wise decision to take his ‘aching
heart’ home to get rid of his ‘famine’. He experienced
the end of this famine when he was welcomed with
open arms by his wonderful, good and loving Father.
His heart was changed from being in a state of being in
‘famine’ to being in a state of manaaki and aroha – being
loved and cared for with feasting.
Caritas prayer
Student: E te Matua i te Rangi, Father in Heaven,
You come towards us with welcoming arms. May we
too embrace with Your abundant love, those who
seek refuge from famine.
Reflection - Loving unconditionally
CONNECTIONS TO CARITAS PARTNERS – THE
SAHEL EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Leader:
“While he was still far off…” can suggest placing FAMINE
in the context of the need we have, to forgive and be
forgiven. The father saw him coming and ran to meet
him. He welcomed him home. There is a need to set
things right, to be reconciled, and the nourishment that
comes with forgiveness. We are welcomed home and
should pass that welcome on. Read this poem and reflect.
The Loving Father – While he was
still a long way off, his father saw
him and was moved with pity.
This Lent we too, can help others go from famine to
fasting. Through an international network working
in more than 200 countries and territories, Caritas
is there before, during and after emergencies
– including the ones that don’t make it to the
headlines.
Rid the famine
The distance between us is so vast
It can never be spanned
By the anger that drove us apart
The gap is famine land.
In 2012, a severe food crisis in the Sahel region of
West Africa threatened the lives of almost 20 million
people. Despite suffering severe drought itself, Niger
opened its borders to refugees fleeing drought and
conflict from neighbouring Mali. Many lived in the
open air under plastic sheeting. Host communities
already weakened by food shortages, brought on by
erratic rains and a poor harvest, needed support as
well. Caritas partners provided emergency water,
hygiene and sanitation facilities for both refugees
and host communities. Longer-term programmes
were also set up to improve crop strength and retain
rainwater for longer. We can also link in solidarity
with the hungry and the refugees by ‘fasting’
from food, wants and material things. We can give
generously.
The distance between us need not remain
When we measure the hurt
Against the nothing that’s been gained
And the hunger and thirst.
Come together with a change of heart
Step closer with an aching heart
Quicken your pace with an understanding heart
Rid the famine with a forgiving heart.
James Lyons
Penitential Prayers
(could be used in Lenten Eucharist or Liturgy)
Student:
Jesus, Your living, giving power is a source of healing and
acceptance for those who are refugees.
All: Lord have mercy
Christ Jesus, You who knew the power of rising above
and beyond the pain of being marginalised.
All: Christ have mercy
Jesus, our model for welcoming others and being a way
of life-giving energy.
All: Lord have mercy
Let’s link the nourishment of our prayer, care and sharing,
with the people and communities in the Sahel as we sing.
Waiata (See p 3.)
15
Fifth Sunday of Lent: Jesus challenges the accusers
Background
A reading from the Gospel of John,
chapter 8, verses 1 to 11.
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning
he came again to the temple. All the people came to him
and he sat down and began to teach them.
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who
had been caught in adultery. Making her stand before
the people, they said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was
caught in the very act of committing adultery. In the law
Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what
do you say?’ They said this to test Jesus, so that they
might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent
down and wrote with his finger on the ground.
When the scribes and Pharisees kept on questioning
him, Jesus straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone
among you who is without sin be the first to throw a
stone at her’. And once again he bent down and wrote
on the ground.
When the scribes and Pharisees heard what Jesus said,
they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders,
and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing
before him.
Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where
are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No
one, sir’.
And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way,
and from now on do not sin again’.
Leader:
In this Gospel story Jesus stands before the woman
under threat, he mirrors her stance of being lowly and
outcast by bending down and writing something. Then
Jesus straightens up. He firmly challenges the accusers
to examine themselves first before accusing the woman.
He remains standing in front of the woman whilst they
all drop their stones and leave. Maybe he moves beside
her as he speaks of his acceptance, forgiveness and
recommendation.
CONNECTIONS TO CARITAS PARTNERS –
AFGHANISTAN COMMUNITY EDUCATION
PROGRAMME.
Jesus was left alone with the woman
standing before him.
Education programmes based in the community
are vital to provide for a community’s ongoing
development in accordance with their needs. In
remote villages in Bamyan, Afghanistan, access to
education isn’t easy. Children face long treks on
often dangerous paths through the mountains. This
has resulted in extremely low numbers of children,
especially girls, receiving formal education. Through
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Caritas is working in
partnership with communities to make education
more accessible for all.
WEEK 5 Recognising human dignity
Focus
•
•
•
•
Purple material with white stones in basket.
Link with School’s founding charism and values on
cards or attached to the cross.
Lenten cross (cross shape made of kete.)
Kete with two handles with Caritas poster attached,
to be passed around as the Caritas Care Kete is
prayed. (Kete or special bags brought by students.)
Young girl in community school, Bamyan province,
Afghanistan.
16
After each name all chant – Help us to be like Jesus, our
Way, our Truth, our Life.
These community-based schools are managed
by village councils, meaning children can attend
school where they live. This has had a tremendous
impact on attendance – girls make up 75 percent of
students at these schools. These children and their
communities are creating a brighter, more stable
future for Bamyan and Afghanistan.
Litany of ‘saints’ for Oceania
St Peter Chanel
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Blessed Suzanne Aubert
Bishop Pompallier
Thomas and Mary Pointyn
Euphrasie Barbier
Whina Cooper
Catherine McAuley
Sts Peter and Paul
St Teresa of Avila
St Therese of Liseux
St Catherine of Siena
St Joseph
Mary Mother of God
(Add your own for your school)
In sharing resources and programmes Caritas helps
men and women to change, like the woman in the
Gospel, from a state of ‘nothingness’ to a state of
‘having fullness of life’ and in turn being ‘life giving’
in their community.
There is a Māori proverb that links with the ‘wairua’
of this programme on p 23 Your heart, my heart – Ko
tōu manawa, ko tāku manawa.
Caritas prayer
Student: E Hēhu Karaiti, Christ Jesus, all people are
made in your image. Kia whakanuia te tapu me te
mana i te tangata. May the dignity with which you
honour all people change us to stand tall and live the
life you have given us.
Caritas kete
Write prayers to go into the kete-bag. This is passed
around as the following is read. Bags could be made into a
cross focus for the week. (See photo of kete cross on p6.)
Reflection – Recognising human dignity
Leader:
This Lent we have been called to take a handle of the ‘Kete
of Life’ for the people of Afghanistan – to share the carrying
of their load with our prayer, our care and our koha.
Ko koe kei tēnā kīwai, ko au kei tēnei kīwai o te kete
You carry your handle and I’ll carry my handle, of our kete.
Kete (maybe with prayers in it) passed around as the
following is read.
In our reflection we are challenged to do the same
for ourselves and others. We are encouraged to
accept, forgive and support one another with the
companionship and protection of Jesus. We are urged
to support women in countries like Afghanistan to be
empowered to ‘let their true colours’ shine through. To
enable them to have opportunities to have their ‘tapu
and mana’ respected and cultural status honoured.
Blessing
Leader:
The stone can be a symbol of positive qualities and
potential rather than for the negative, hard, punishing
elements we associate it with. In Aotearoa New Zealand
we have a wonderful example of this reflection of
potential in the paua shell. One side dull, even crusty,
but with small holes which reflect a glimpse of the
potential. When reversed they sparkle as ‘true colours
which shine through’. There is a poem about paua in the
Additional resources section Week 5.
Carry with Care the Caritas Kete
We will share the load
We will carry a ‘handle’ of the Caritas care ‘kete’
for those who are
bowed down, weighed down, pushed down.
We will lighten the load with Caritas Care
We will fill up with freedom through Caritas Care
We will heal hurts in partnership with Caritas Care
We will educate, empower, enable in partnership with
Caritas Care
Through Him, with Him, in Him
as the Body of Christ
with Caritas Care.
With the Communion of Saints here in Aotearoa New
Zealand, in Oceania and elsewhere we have models
of inspiring men and women who have not only stood
beside people and communities in need, but have
helped them to straighten up, stand tall and let their
true colours shine through. We pray that their model of
solidarity will inspire us as we pray the following litany.
Waiata (See p 3.)
17
WEEK 6 Holy Week
The Passion of Christ
programme that supports microenterprise activities
in the communities of Tongatapu and Vava’u in areas
such as: tapa cloth and mat weaving; chicken and
pig raising; growing crops; and fishing. A reading from the Gospel of Luke
chapter 22
As this is a long reading, locate from your own Bible.
Focus
School cross decorated with red cloth and palms.
Prayer Connections
•
•
•
•
•
Read the stories of The Tale of the Three Trees,
by Angela Elwell Hunt, Lion childrens pub.; or The
Easter Story by Joy Cowley or other suitable stories
from school resources.
Link with School Outreach – retirement homes etc.
Link with Parish Stations of the Cross and Rite 2 and
other Reconciliation opportunities.
Palm print prayers – either quiet drawing prayers
with index finger on palms of hand in silence or
stamp painted palm prints on cloth which could be
used for Easter liturgies.
Designer Crosses with an Aotearoa-Oceania theme
for example see the illustration on the cover of this
booklet. It could include relevant family/personal
symbols and thoughts/themes/prayers for Holy
Week e.g. pencil on stone /shell/calico squares etc.
Caritas Papua New Guinea have organised four
community associations in Kimbe, Manus, Vanimo
and Kamusie and empowered communities affected
by the negative impacts of logging and palm oil
plantation expansion. They have also provided
alternative livelihood support to Kapo communities
such as cocoa and coconut farming as an alternative
source of income to palm oil. Caritas prayer
Student: Almighty God, e te Matua kaha rawa,
strengthened by your Holy Spirit may we be faithful
in following Christ, courageous in our words and
actions and joyful in the fullness of life you have
given us.
Reflection – who is my neighbour?
Leader:
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.
This year we are particularly mindful of our close
neighbours in Oceania and especially the communities in
both Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
CONNECTIONS TO CARITAS PARTNERS –
LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMMES IN OCEANIA
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand supports livelihood
partnerships in a number of countries in Oceania
including Tonga and Papua New Guinea. Caritas
Tonga is currently implementing a livelihood
Listen, reflect and pray as we hear the Gospel of Jesus
‘Passion’ – the journey he walked during Holy Week.
We too will mirror the people, places and ponderings of
Jesus during that first Holy Week in our Stations of the
Cross during this our journey of Holy Week 2013.
In the ‘wairua ‘ of Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus
carry his cross, we carry with us especially this year the
people of Tonga and Papua New Guinea. As we hold our
palm branches let’s link them with the palms of hope
that are waving in Tonga and Papua New Guinea because
of the Caritas partnership enabling families to establish
and grow their potential. May our palm prints and
prayers join as hands across Oceania to Tonga, Papua
New Guinea and other island nations. This Holy Week
may we continue to follow faithfully, speak truthfully and
live joyfully the Way of the Cross with Jesus.
Home threatened by the rising sea level. Ha’apai,
Tonga.
18
Blessing before Easter
The Stations of the Cross
He Karakia
E te Atua, te Kaihanga o ngā mea katoa
Loving God Creator of all things
E īnoi atu mātou i to mātou wehe atu i kōnei
We ask your blessings as we are about to leave this place.
Below are four examples of the set created by
parishioners of St Anne’s parish in Newtown, Wellington.
There are detailed notes about these in the Caritas
Teachers’ resource pack.
These photos are presented on a Power point and can be
downloaded from our website to use in a class or school
Way of the Cross for this week. Adapt to suit your class
level.
Be our near companion
Spread the road before us with beauty and adventure
Give us on our journey, a heart wrapped in wonder
that we may rejoice in all that we meet.
The Stations of the Cross appear in the following order:
Māori
Samoan
Rwanda
Goa
Croatia
Cook Islands
Irish
NZ tartan (Celtic)
Philippines
Hungary
Tokoleau
Poland
Kerala
Tonga
You call us to serve you and your people in the midst of
a busy world
When we struggle, tautoko, support us
When we stumble, awhi, hold us
When we fall, hikina, lift us up.
Give us hearts full of aroha and right spirit, wairua pai
Strengthen us to share this aroha and wairua
with those we are called to share this journey with.
Support us onwards from here until the shadows
lengthen and the evening comes
Until the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is
over for the day
and our work is done.
May we continue to be greeted by the smile of the rising
sun each tomorrow.
Amen.
Adaptation by Rangi Davis
Waiata (See p 3.)
Preparation for return to school
after Easter
•
•
Read Joy Cowley’s Easterings.
Strip the Lenten Cross and prepare for decoration by
all students with flowers, butterflies, other symbols
of joy and hope.
Decorated Easter cross.
19
Jesus is condemned to death
Ka whakawātia a Hēhu kia
mate (Māori)
Jesus dies on the cross
Jezus umiera na krzyżu
(Poland)
Jesus is placed in the tomb
Ko e toka ‘a sesu ‘I he fonualoto
(Tonga)
Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene
Šimun Cirenac pomaže Isusu nositi
križ (Croatia)
A D D IT IONA L R ES O U RC ES
Links with Week 1
Turn these stones into bread
by James Lyons
Turn these stones to bread
Turn the famine to feast
Turn the night to day
Turn your hurt to healing
Turn your shame to sorrow
Turn your hate to love
Turn your life around
Take the hardness from your heart
Take the speck from your eye
Take the anger from your words
Turn these stones to bread
Stones
by Joy Cowley
Today I came to a shining beach
covered with a litany of stones:
gravel, pebbles, boulders, many colours,
each one like a word of praise
and the whole a triumphant song.
As I picked up stones at random,
feeling their skin against mine,
and absorbing the loveliness of them,
I thought that I was a bit like a beach,
with every stone a gesture of love
from a person who cared about me
at some time in my life,
from the moment of conception,
when God spoke and I was,
love has shaped my being
and the givers are still with me,
contained within their gifts
people who’ve laid a litany of loving,
stone by stone, word by word, touch by touch
showing me the truth of my existence.
For a long time I sat on the beach
adding to its song, my own gratitude,
and when I shut my eyes and tried to imagine
what the beach would look like
without all those shining stones
I understood in a new and deeper way
the meaning of my life as gift.
20
ADDIT IO NAL R ES O URCES
Links with Week 2
Links with Week 3
The Time of Quiet
by Joy Cowley
Life Chance
by James Lyons
Sometimes, on a still morning,
it seems that all the earth
is breathless with love
for the God it conceals and reveals.
The brown stones at the waters edge
are set like some ancient language
pronouncing the truth of God
where our words fail us,
and the sea, the hills, the early mist,
become like water colour painting
on a fine gauze curtain
drawn over a tabernacle.
At such times we feel so close
to the eternal light
which lies behind everything,
that we can almost reach out and touch.
God wraps us in the quiet
of Christ, and invades us ,
making us captive to a love too deep
for naming in this world.
All we know in this perfect moment,
is that we too, can walk on water.
A severed branch
An amputation
A dead end
Life is not ambitious but
grateful
And once given its chance
holds on
Life does not see obstacles
only possibilities
Life does not accept endings
only beginnings
‘Every branch that bears fruit
Is pruned to make it bear
even more’ cf John 15:2
Faith
by James Lyons
Sometime someone believed
enough to plant and to
build.
Star-maps
by Anne Powell
Others agreed and shared
and spread the seeds of
faith.
Star-maps
We are land
we are breathing
cleansed by the rain.
Vision and pride marked out
a space and said here will
grow our faith.
We are flax
we are waiting
spellbound by the tui.
But faith persists beyond all
space and knows no bonds
or bounds.
We are rocks
we are resting
warmed by the sun.
We are mountains
we are present
mapped by the stars.
21
A D D IT IONA L R ES O U RC ES
Links with week 4
Graces
Blessing for the planting of a tree
by Elizabeth Wootton
We will bless this (name) tree
as a living, growing symbol of the
hope and peace we pray for
our own country Aotearoa- New Zealand
and for the people living in Oceania, Africa and
Afghanistan
(Leaf prayers may be read at this stage and placed in the
hole)
1. Jesus Bread of Life
As we share this meal may we
Share the bread of our prayer
with the people of Sahel.
Share the bread of our care
with the people of Sahel
Share the bread of our koha
with the people of Sahel.
Amen.
2. During this meal bless us Lord with
Kind hearts
Warm words
Fun food
Help us to celebrate and nourish
Life, Love and Learning
in Your Name.
Amen.
May the roots of this tree
Remind us of the deep faith we have
grounded in the love of Christ.
ALL: Bless us and others with this FAITH.
May the trunk of this tree
Remind us to renew our dedication and strength
to stand tall and speak out
with the marginalised.
ALL: Bless us and others with this STRENGTH.
May the branches of this tree
Remind us to reach out to those in need
with care and compassion.
ALL: Bless us and others with CARE and COMPASSION.
May the leaves of this tree
Remind us of the ‘letting go of prejudice/judgement’
and ‘greening’ with mercy and justice.
ALL: Bless us and others with ACCEPTANCE, MERCY and
JUSTICE.
May the song of the birds
May the colours of the leaves and flowers
May the connections and memories of all we pray for
Live on in the seasons of this tree planted here in this
place.
Amen.
3. Jesus source of hospitality-manaakitanga
Help us to welcome to our table
Those who are different to us
Those who are misunderstood and accused
Those who we chose to ignore.
Those who annoy us.
Help us to welcome them to our table.
Amen.
4. God of Creation,
We give thanks for the gifts of
Earth, Sea and Sky.
May we be co-creators with You
so that all may be nourished and nurtured with
Food from Your goodness.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You.
5. May this meal nourish us with the
the aroha of Atua,
the wairua of whenua,
the manaaki o ngā tāngata.
E te Ariki whakarongo mai ra
ki a mātou.
Āmene
22
ADDIT IO NAL R ES O URCES
Links with week 5
6. Cook Islands blessings
Iesu Mesia,
ka akameitaki mai ana ra ite kai ta matou ka kai e te
vai ta matou ka inu,
ei akamaroiroi to matou kopapa, pera katoa mai to
matou vaerua,
kia ora anake matou iakoe,
Iesu to matou Atu to matou akaora,
Āmene.
7. E te Atua akameitaki mai teia kai
Ei ora no to matou kopapa e to matou vaerua
Āmene.
8. Tongan grace
‘Eiki, tāpuaki mai kimautolu moe me’atokoni
‘oku’amanaki ke mau ma’u koe’uhi ko sēsū kilisitō ko
homau fakamo’ui. ‘Ameni
Paua
by Elizabeth Wootton
Shining oval
filled with a palette
of vivid jewel like colours
Rich purples, vibrant
turquoise, electric pink
indigo wash and shimmering
Coloured veins of an iridescent nature.
A rich dye pot
brushed with the sheen of a
heavenly glow
A taonga – a treasure
God’s pearl ‘of great price’.
9. Grace from Nauru
Etoňima ianweron am kōňōň aw
Wō nim bless eiy oňama ňune
Ma nim ōten ian egōn. ňaim
Jesu Kristo. Amen.
(Translation)
Heavenly father we ask you
To bless this food that we
Are going to eat
In the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen
Your heart, my heart
Ko tōu manawa, ko tāku manawa
Ko tōu Manawa, ko tāku Manawa
Kia homai tōu Manawa mate mōku
Kia hoatu tāku Manawa ora mōu
Whiti ora! maranga mai ki runga!
Your heart, my heart
Your heart, my heart,
You give me your dying heart
I give you my living heart
Emerge to life, rise up.
23
Links with week 6
I Believe – A personal reflection in the
Year of Faith
By Elizabeth Wootton
Morning Offering
Ngā īnoi ngā o te Ata
I believe that I have been blessed with the gifts of faith,
hope and love
and so in this Year of Faith I pray in faith with my
brothers and sisters who live in poverty around the
world.
I believe that healing takes a while.
I believe that healing takes place step by step.
I believe that healing involves a giving and a receiving.
I believe that being surrounded by loving relationships is
an important stepping stone to healing.
I believe that every sunset brings the potential for peace
and every sunrise brings the potential for hope.
I believe that the every journey starts with a single step
in faith.
I believe that love is a decision as well as a feeling.
I believe in love given and received even when I don’t
feel like it.
I believe that difficulties and abusive situations help
people to grow as they are helped to link with love
through tension and difficulties.
I believe that recognising what I value helps me heal my
life.
I believe that justice is ...
I believe that peace is ...
I believe that love is ...
I believe that peace is built with justice and that justice
is guided by love
I believe................ (add your own)
I believe................
I believe that I am ‘a work of art’ in progress. God is not
finished with me yet.
I BELIEVE IN FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.
E te Ariki, ka tuku atu ki a koe nga inoi,
ngā whakaaro, ngā mahi katoa o tēnei rā
hei whakakorōria ki a koe,
a, hei painga mō te ao turoa nei.
Āmene
Lord, I give you today my prayers,
thoughts, works, and actions,
that they may be for your glory
and for the good of the world.
Amen
New life blessing
By Elizabeth Wootton
Creator God,
may the potential for ‘new life’ in the ‘koru’ inspire and
bless us with potential and possibility.
May the ‘greenness’ of the new emerging ferns
bless us with the breath of hope.
May the softness of the breeze on the forest fern
bless us with the breath of peace.
May the swaying and shelter of the ponga ferns
bless us with the gift of courage to embark on a journey
of wonder, beauty and support.
God of creation,
Bless us with the wonder, actions, healing and hope,
of journeying in relationship with others and You.
Amen
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Pope Benedict XVI has singled out the following in his Lenten message.
It is because of this simple truth that we must follow Christ who is the Way,
the Truth and the Life – repeated in our Lenten theme.
In this Year of Faith a key thread is:
‘So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God,
and God abides in them’.
1 John 4:16
Acknowledgements
Elizabeth Wootton
writer
Catherine Gibbs
coordinator
David Nonu
cultural component
Jayne Costelloe editor
Rose Miller – Kraftwork
design
Bernice Olive
cover art work
Karen Holland and Maria Rogers St Anne’s parish, Newtown. Stations of the Cross.
Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt
St Theresa’s Catholic School, Plimmerton
Photos
Caritas staff
Elizabeth Wootton
Margaret Lawson and Anne Keenan
Emily Benefield
Philip Gibbs
Catherine Gibbs
from our partners in Afghanistan, Niger, Tonga, West Papua
local settings for Lent liturgies
Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt
Stations of the Cross, St Theresa’s School, Karori
from visit to Kimbe diocese, Papua New Guinea
New Zealand locations
Poetry and prayer contributors
Anne Powell
Elizabeth Wootton
James Lyons
Joy Cowley
Langi Paasi
Maureen Goodwin
Peta Karena
Rangi Davis
Romuald Gibson
Teremoana Hodges
25
www.caritas.org.nz