Lent has now started, and we begin this weekend’s readings remind us of the temptations that we may face over the next 40 days.
Let us pray the Our Father, placing out Lenten journey in God’s hands, and asking for strength and protection.
Lead us not into temptation
Amen
This week we will be praying for unity between all Christian denominations. This year is particularly special, because it is the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation.
Both the Lutheran Church and the Vatican have created some superb resources for this week. These can be found on the Churches together web page:
https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2017
I have put the themes for each day into this Powerpoint: christian-unity to be used in form classes. Do look at he reflections for each day.
Events taking place this week can be found on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Twitter wall . Updates about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity can also be found on Twitter by following the #wpcu2017 hash tag.
Have a peace filled week
The Chaplaincy team
Christmas is now over, the Wise Men have made their visitations and two weeks ago, we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord. We are now beginning ordinary time, and Jesus is preparing to begin his public ministry. John the Baptist sees Jesus coming towards him and speaks to crowds. John tells them that he did not know Jesus until he was revealed by the Holy Spirit as the Chosen One of God at his baptism (Gospel).
We pray that, through the grace of our baptism, we may know the love and presence of Jesus in our lives.
Here I am Lord! I come to do your will (Psalm 39) 
I waited, I waited for the Lord
and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry.
He put a new song into my mouth,
praise of our God.
You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,
but an open ear,
you do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Instead, here I am.
In the scroll of the book it stands written
that I should do your will.
My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart.
Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord
This week is very close to our hearts, as it is the anniversary of the beautiful Klaudia Domalaga, who passed away last year. Our Year 11 students will hold a Remembrance Mass this week in her memory. Ribbons will also be on sale throughout the week to raise money for Teenage Cancer Research.
This month we also remember all our family and friends that have passed away. On Monday 14th November we will be holding another Mass of Remembrance in the school hall. All members of the school community are invited. All registers have a list in which names can be written on. These names will be made into a PowerPoint for the Mass.
Finally, on Friday we will have 1 min silence to remember those who have lost their lives. Let’s keep all who have lots loved ones in our prayers.
Assembly Theme: Year of Mercy
This weeks Gospel is a series of parables, the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son. All three parables show us a glimpse of the Mercy of God, hence the link with our Year of Mercy.
This week, students could remind themselves of the Mercy Pledges that they made during Lent, or the Door of Mercy in the Peace Garden. The Year of Mercy prayer, or Hail Holy Queen (given to staff on cards last year) could also be used. I will put spare cards in the staffroom by the Chaplaincy board.
Acts of Charity:
This term we will be focusing again on Mary’s Meals. Together with Blessed Dominic’s and St Margaret Clitherow Church we will be collecting used clothes. These are then sold in order to raise funds to feed children in schools across the globe. Last year we collected enough clothes to feed 88 children for a year. The last day for collection is November 28th (the end of the Year of Mercy).
Chaplaincy Activities:
Please remind students that we have a Eucharistic service every Tuesday in the Chapel. Adoration take place every Friday
Staff prayer takes place every Wed morning at 8:10am in the Chapel. All are welcome.
Have a merciful week,
Jenny
Today Mother Teresa became a saint. Below shows the process of Canonisation.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all. Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request). Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
Text © Missionaries of Charity
