My Calendar
Week of Nov 20th
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Diwali - the festival of light! Diwali - the festival of light!
12/11/2020 – 16/11/2020
Diwali is the four- to five-day long Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists.
One of the most popular dates on the Hindu calendar, Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, and takes place each year between October and November after the conclusion of harvest and to coincide with the new moon.
During the celebration, streets, homes, offices and shops are illuminated with light, which acts as a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. Over the five-day period of the festival, people prepare by cleaning and decorating their homes. The festivities reach their peak on the third day, Diwali, which falls on the darkest day of the Hindu lunar month, Kartik.
On this day, revellers dress up, light up their homes with oil lamps and candles (diyas) and worship Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth. They also light fireworks and enjoy a feast with their family, sharing mithai (sweets) and gifts.Here's a video of how different this festival might be in time of COVID-19!A PRAYER FOR DIWALILight shines in darkness. Light takes away darkness. Light brings hope.God of light, when things seem difficult
or when we’re frightened or sad,
help us to remember that light is stronger than darkness,and good is stronger than bad.
AMEN
Transgender Awareness Week Transgender Awareness Week
13/11/2020 – 19/11/2020
Anniversary of the murder of 6 Jesuits and their 2 companions in El Salvador Anniversary of the murder of 6 Jesuits and their 2 companions in El Salvador
16/11/2020On the morning of November 16, 1989, an elite battalion of the Salvadoran Army entered the grounds of the Jesuit University of Central America, with orders to kill Father Ignacio Ellacuría—an outspoken critic of the Salvadoran military dictatorship—and leave no witnesses.
When it was all over, the soldiers had killed six Jesuit priests, a housekeeper and her 16 year old daughter in cold blood. The Jesuits Massacre is one of most notorious crimes of El Salvador’s 12-year civil war, which left over 75,000 people dead including most famously Archbishop (now Saint) Oscar Romero.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
God, Creator of life and human dignity,
we celebrate the witness of your martyrs
for faith, for peace, and for justice.
Have mercy on the souls of these departed ones and grant them peace.
May the memory of the Jesuits and the members of the Ramos family
who died in El Salvador in 1989
help us move to a deeper understanding of the demands of justice
and guide us to speak your truth to those in power.
Give us the courage to raise our voices for those who suffer oppression and violence.
Grant us your joy as we work to bring your kingdom to this world. Amen.
© Education For Justice www.educationforjustice.org
Anti-Bullying Week Anti-Bullying Week
16/11/2020 – 20/11/2020
It's Anti-Bullying Week and you can find out loads more at:
Here's a short introduction to the theme for 2020:
Have a look at this diagram - and consider where you feel you fit in - and what each character portrayed needs to do to end bullying.
A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK (available as a video HERE)
Loving God,
We hold before you those who live in darkness
who choose to bully rather than befriend;
those who attempt to intimidate rather than respect;
those who belittle others rather than build them up;
that their bullying hearts be transformed;
that they will realise that their own fears, painful memories
and past hurts will not be healed by hurting others.
We pray for those who witness bullying
that they will have the liberty of spirit to intervene and support,
directly or indirectly – by seeking help from someone they trust.
We pray for those who are bullied
that they will find comfort, protection and an end to their suffering.
Send them angels in whatever form to let them know it is NOT their fault,
that they are a wonder of creation – made in your image – worthy of love and respect!
And we pray for ourselves,
that we might be vigilant, perceptive, courageous and kind in standing against bullying.
We pray this in your holy name! AMEN
International Day for Tolerance International Day for Tolerance
16/11/2020
International Day for Tolerance
Here's a quite wonderful video (4 mins 17 secs)
Which of these people do you:
- most admire?
- most agree with?
- most want to be like?
Perhaps tolerance is a simple as following the teaching of Jesus to "Treat others as you'd like to be treated!"
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
While the United Nations designates today an International Day for Tolerance,
we know that you, God of all people, call us to something higher,
to something beyond mere tolerance.
We pray that you would enable and empower us to be people of love and compassion,
who actively seek the good of the other and work to to that day when people from all tribes and tongues might come together in peace, embracing and delighting in our differences.
Amen
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Transgender Awareness Week Transgender Awareness Week
13/11/2020 – 19/11/2020
Anti-Bullying Week Anti-Bullying Week
16/11/2020 – 20/11/2020
It's Anti-Bullying Week and you can find out loads more at:
Here's a short introduction to the theme for 2020:
Have a look at this diagram - and consider where you feel you fit in - and what each character portrayed needs to do to end bullying.
A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK (available as a video HERE)
Loving God,
We hold before you those who live in darkness
who choose to bully rather than befriend;
those who attempt to intimidate rather than respect;
those who belittle others rather than build them up;
that their bullying hearts be transformed;
that they will realise that their own fears, painful memories
and past hurts will not be healed by hurting others.
We pray for those who witness bullying
that they will have the liberty of spirit to intervene and support,
directly or indirectly – by seeking help from someone they trust.
We pray for those who are bullied
that they will find comfort, protection and an end to their suffering.
Send them angels in whatever form to let them know it is NOT their fault,
that they are a wonder of creation – made in your image – worthy of love and respect!
And we pray for ourselves,
that we might be vigilant, perceptive, courageous and kind in standing against bullying.
We pray this in your holy name! AMEN
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Transgender Awareness Week Transgender Awareness Week
13/11/2020 – 19/11/2020
Anti-Bullying Week Anti-Bullying Week
16/11/2020 – 20/11/2020
It's Anti-Bullying Week and you can find out loads more at:
Here's a short introduction to the theme for 2020:
Have a look at this diagram - and consider where you feel you fit in - and what each character portrayed needs to do to end bullying.
A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK (available as a video HERE)
Loving God,
We hold before you those who live in darkness
who choose to bully rather than befriend;
those who attempt to intimidate rather than respect;
those who belittle others rather than build them up;
that their bullying hearts be transformed;
that they will realise that their own fears, painful memories
and past hurts will not be healed by hurting others.
We pray for those who witness bullying
that they will have the liberty of spirit to intervene and support,
directly or indirectly – by seeking help from someone they trust.
We pray for those who are bullied
that they will find comfort, protection and an end to their suffering.
Send them angels in whatever form to let them know it is NOT their fault,
that they are a wonder of creation – made in your image – worthy of love and respect!
And we pray for ourselves,
that we might be vigilant, perceptive, courageous and kind in standing against bullying.
We pray this in your holy name! AMEN
-
Transgender Awareness Week Transgender Awareness Week
13/11/2020 – 19/11/2020
Anti-Bullying Week Anti-Bullying Week
16/11/2020 – 20/11/2020
It's Anti-Bullying Week and you can find out loads more at:
Here's a short introduction to the theme for 2020:
Have a look at this diagram - and consider where you feel you fit in - and what each character portrayed needs to do to end bullying.
A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK (available as a video HERE)
Loving God,
We hold before you those who live in darkness
who choose to bully rather than befriend;
those who attempt to intimidate rather than respect;
those who belittle others rather than build them up;
that their bullying hearts be transformed;
that they will realise that their own fears, painful memories
and past hurts will not be healed by hurting others.
We pray for those who witness bullying
that they will have the liberty of spirit to intervene and support,
directly or indirectly – by seeking help from someone they trust.
We pray for those who are bullied
that they will find comfort, protection and an end to their suffering.
Send them angels in whatever form to let them know it is NOT their fault,
that they are a wonder of creation – made in your image – worthy of love and respect!
And we pray for ourselves,
that we might be vigilant, perceptive, courageous and kind in standing against bullying.
We pray this in your holy name! AMEN
Children's Grief Awareness Week Children's Grief Awareness Week
19/11/2020 – 25/11/2020
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to.
If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust.
If someone who is grieving approaches you, don't worry - you won't make it worse. The worst has already happened. If they want to talk, just listen.Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful:
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING
Jesus, healer and teacher,
you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus.
Help me make sense of what is happening,
because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost,
some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all.
Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain,
and let treasured memories sustain me.
Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you,
free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
International Men's Day International Men's Day
19/11/2020
Imagine a group of people whose members:
- suffer 70% of murders in the world;
- account for 85% of homeless people;
- serve 64% longer jail sentences than others in society;
- die 4-5 years earlier than a similar sized group;
- are twice as likely to die from heart disease or lung cancer than others.
They're shocking statistics, aren't they? By the way, the group in question is MEN!
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? (1 mins 53 secs)
This is an INTERESTING TAKE ON WHAT IT IS TO BE A MAN (2 mins 58 secs)
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available as a 1 minute video HERE)
Loving God,
we hold before you especially today - the men in our lives;
help all of us to deepen our understanding of gender roles and expectations;
that we might live life in all its fullness,
building families, communities, societies and a world of openness and acceptance.
Help us not to be bound by stereotypes
but to enjoy the diverse nature of every human being.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
World Toilet Day World Toilet Day
19/11/2020
Did you know that:- 4.2 billion people live without safely managed sanitation – more than half the global population. (WHO/UNICEF 2019)
- 673 million people still practise open defecation worldwide. (WHO/UNICEF 2019)
- Today, at least 2 billion people will have to use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces. (WHO 2019)
- Inadequate sanitation is estimated to cause 432,000 diarrhoeal deaths every year and is a major factor in diseases such as intestinal worms, trachoma and schistosomiasis. (WHO 2019)
- 297,000 children under five are estimated to die each year from diarrhoea as a result of unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene. (WHO 2019)
All of the above is not because we don't have the technology! After all, human beings went to the Moon over 50 years ago! Do we, and the governments who serve us, need to re-align some priorities?
Let's spend a few moments imagining what it must feel like not to have a toilet.What might you have to do if there was no toilet available?
Why might this have a disproportionate effect on females?
What are the possible consequences of not having a toilet?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (from CAFOD)
Loving God,
we pray for a world of justice
where everyone has access to
a toilet and clean water.
May all our sisters and brothers throughout the world
be able to live in the dignity they deserve
as children created in your image.
Amen
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Anti-Bullying Week Anti-Bullying Week
16/11/2020 – 20/11/2020
It's Anti-Bullying Week and you can find out loads more at:
Here's a short introduction to the theme for 2020:
Have a look at this diagram - and consider where you feel you fit in - and what each character portrayed needs to do to end bullying.
A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK (available as a video HERE)
Loving God,
We hold before you those who live in darkness
who choose to bully rather than befriend;
those who attempt to intimidate rather than respect;
those who belittle others rather than build them up;
that their bullying hearts be transformed;
that they will realise that their own fears, painful memories
and past hurts will not be healed by hurting others.
We pray for those who witness bullying
that they will have the liberty of spirit to intervene and support,
directly or indirectly – by seeking help from someone they trust.
We pray for those who are bullied
that they will find comfort, protection and an end to their suffering.
Send them angels in whatever form to let them know it is NOT their fault,
that they are a wonder of creation – made in your image – worthy of love and respect!
And we pray for ourselves,
that we might be vigilant, perceptive, courageous and kind in standing against bullying.
We pray this in your holy name! AMEN
Children's Grief Awareness Week Children's Grief Awareness Week
19/11/2020 – 25/11/2020
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to.
If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust.
If someone who is grieving approaches you, don't worry - you won't make it worse. The worst has already happened. If they want to talk, just listen.Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful:
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING
Jesus, healer and teacher,
you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus.
Help me make sense of what is happening,
because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost,
some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all.
Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain,
and let treasured memories sustain me.
Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you,
free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
Africa Industrialization Day Transgender Day of Remembrance Transgender Day of Remembrance
20/11/2020
World Children’s Day World Children’s Day
20/11/2020
Welcome to World Children's Day! This used to be called Universal Children's Day but the day has been re-branded!
This day was set up in 1954 by the United Nations. In 1959, the UN agreed its Declaration on the Rights of the Child. In 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child became the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, setting out a number of children’s rights including:
- the right to life,
- to health,
- to education
- to play,
- to family life,
- to be protected from violence,
- to not be discriminated,
- and to have their views heard.
Here's a short but brilliant video (1 min 17 secs) from the children of Yemen!
Here's another video clip (2 mins 54 secs) which gives a bit more information and which includes one particularly surprising fact about a country which does not give its children the same rights as others around the world!A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available here as a 1:00 minute video)
Loving God,
Jesus said "Let the children come to me"
and so we pray for children around the world,
that they will feel loved, valued, cared for and encouraged.
We pray for adults that they will enable children
to enjoy a childhood they can look back on happily.
We pray too that all of us acknowledge each other - whatever our differences -
as children made in your image,
who deserve to be treated with dignity and love.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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Children's Grief Awareness Week Children's Grief Awareness Week
19/11/2020 – 25/11/2020
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to.
If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust.
If someone who is grieving approaches you, don't worry - you won't make it worse. The worst has already happened. If they want to talk, just listen.Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful:
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING
Jesus, healer and teacher,
you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus.
Help me make sense of what is happening,
because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost,
some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all.
Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain,
and let treasured memories sustain me.
Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you,
free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
-
Children's Grief Awareness Week Children's Grief Awareness Week
19/11/2020 – 25/11/2020
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to.
If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust.
If someone who is grieving approaches you, don't worry - you won't make it worse. The worst has already happened. If they want to talk, just listen.Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful:
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING
Jesus, healer and teacher,
you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus.
Help me make sense of what is happening,
because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost,
some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all.
Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain,
and let treasured memories sustain me.
Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you,
free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
Feast of Christ the King Feast of Christ the King
22/11/2020Feast of St. Cecilia - patron saint of music Feast of St. Cecilia - patron saint of music
22/11/2020
The patron saint of musicians! Who's your favourite?
Here's a mini-bio of St. Cecilia (2 mins 20 secs).
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Loving God,
we thank you for the gift of music.
Help us find our own voice that we might express ourselves with truth, joy and passion.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
Youth Day Youth Day
22/11/2020The next world gathering for World Youth Day is in 2023 in Lisbon! Hear some words of the Holy Father, Pope Francis directed at young people!